The Snowbird Observatory, created from three interconnected disks, is one of the most iconic structures of the 1970s. The renovation, although long delayed, will begin later this year. Modernization, of the decommissioned lower saucer, will cost up to 3.3 million euros. What will it look like? The Institute of Meteorology and Water Management gives a schedule for the next four years of renovation work.
Currently, the New Saucer is one of the priority projects. Over the next four years, the lower saucer, known as the restoration, is to become a meeting place for all hikers, nature and mountain lovers in the Giant Mountains. - assures the Institute, releasing the final plan for the facility's renovation.
The renovation of the icon of the futuristic trend in Polish architecture is expected to begin soon....
Sniezka | ©Flickr
controversial saucers
The building of the old conservatory, although it survived the war and extreme weather conditions and underwent many renovations, was eventually demolished. The new observatory building was erected between 1966 and 1974, a few meters west of the site of the former Polish shelter on Sniezka. Reinforced concrete, steel and aluminum, complemented by glazing make up the three disks. The authors of this unusual design were architects Witold Lipinski and Waldemar Wawrzyniak of Wroclaw University of Technology, who won the SARP competition to design the building.
In the 1950s there was a lot of talk about unidentified flying vehicles, and I was always fascinated by curved lines and spherical spaces - I decided that the PIHM observatory on Snezhka would be shaped like plates. - Witold Lipinski explained the shape of the building. - I was suggested by the rock groups characteristic of the Giant Mountains, formed by erosion. From the pile-up of elliptical boulders I borrowed the future shape of the building. The aerodynamic aspect, prevalent in airplane construction, which, as a passionate glider, I had read a lot about, also came into play.
west elevation
© archive of Prof. Waldemar Wawrzyniak; polska-org.pl
The structure of the disks is a steel truss, centrally supported on a concrete foundation. The building was intended to replace the old observatory and the old shelter from 1862, due to the poor technical condition of the buildings and the increase in tourist traffic. Ultimately, however, no accommodation functions were envisaged, locating only the observatory and restaurant in the building.
From the moment of its construction, however, the new building aroused controversy. The architects were accused of a lack of reference to mountain and Sudeten architecture. However, it was part of the trend of futuristic buildings erected in the Sudetenland in those years, popular in Czechoslovakia at the time. In subsequent years, the structure failed more than once, leading to danger. It was only in 2015 that the IMiGW closed the restoration section until further notice. In February 2020, due to strong winds, the roofing was damaged. The future of the observatory was uncertain, but a few months later the building was entered in the register of historical monuments.
longed-for restoration
There has been a lot of talk about Snow Mountain, but now we have set a clear goal: it is to be a showcase of the Institute and a place where tourists will be able to relax, use the facilities and learn about the history of IMGW-PIB," Przemysław Ligenza, director of the Institute, announced in an interview with PAP.
We have set a clear goal: it is to be a showcase of the institute and a place where tourists will be able to relax, use the facilities and learn about the history of IMGW-PIB," Przemysław Ligenza, director of the institute, said in an interview with Gazeta Wyborcza.
Snow Mountain - construction disaster 2009 | ©WikiCommons
The renovation was postponed from year to year. In 2019, the Institute's management met with Waldemar Wawrzyniak, one of the original authors of the project for the Sniezka High-Mountain Meteorological Observatory.
In 2009, the upper disk of the meteorological observatory broke. This was caused by frost and very strong winds, which strained the steel elements. Despite upgrading the fixings, the observatory was not performing its full function, and its condition was getting worse. The provincial conservationist emphasized the authenticity and originality of the building, its historical and architectural assets, and the fact that, despite the changes, it is still a symbol of the era in which it was built. Not only researchers and architecture lovers, but also tourists, waited to hear about the renovation.
However, subsequent decisions were slowed by the arrival of pandemonium.
schedule of changes until 2025
Later in 2021, work is expected to begin to protect the roof sheathing of the two disks: the middle and upper disks. Meanwhile, the following year, the exterior structure of the restoration drive will be reinforced, and design documentation will be prepared for the installation of water, sewage and power systems to all WOM utility facilities. There will also be design and cost documentation for the general renovation of the restoration saucer. But the modernization doesn't stop there. The building will be expanded, and construction work is scheduled from 2023 and will last until 2025.
