Autumn 2024 marks the 10th anniversary of the official inauguration of the new headquarters of the National Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra (NOSPR) in Katowice, Poland. A decade was enough for the project designed by Konior Studio to gain not only the status of an architectural gem, but also to become a landmark of Katowice.
In October 2014, the new headquarters of the National Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra (NOSPR) in Katowice hosted an inaugural concert featuring a plethora of classical music stars. Among them were the world-famous pianist, Krystian Zimerman, or the doyen of oper
a stages, Wieslaw Ochman. However, before it became possible, first design and then construction work lasted for six years (between 2008 and 2014).
Despite the many projects completed since then, Tomasz Konior, owner and chief designer of Konior Studio, still considers the building to be unique in his architectural heritage.
- The NOSPR is still the most important adventure in my life, which is still ongoing and continues almost every day. Other parts of this adventure are added by more people I meet there, frequent concerts or spontaneous visits. I love being there, not only to listen to music, but to observe how the building and its surroundings live. And it is time that is the best test here. I enjoy how this building has become part of the city. How it is maturing, because there is no question of aging yet. I hope we will share a similar impression after another decade,” stresses Tomasz Konior.
Temple of music
The new headquarters of the National Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra was built on the site where there used to be a timber yard belonging to the Ferdinand Mine, which was still in operation in the 1990s. Currently, the building is the center of the so-called Katowice Culture Zone, a unique public space that focuses important cultural, artistic or business activities for the city, being equally frequented by tourists and residents of the Silesian capital.
With its multi-layered structure, the orchestra building merges and interpenetrates with its surroundings, which - according to the concept of the project's authors - are intended to serve the city's residents. Not surprisingly, numerous gardens, plazas with fountains, a labyrinth and an amphitheater were created around it, creating a space for rest and afternoon relaxation. The outer layer of the building consists of vertical structures built of bricks, evoking associations with familoks native to Nikiszowiec or mine chimneys. The richness of textures and colors used gives the facade a unique appearance. Glazing peeps through from behind them, giving a glimpse into the interior of the building.
Inside, a rich functional program has been designed. It consists of three separate but interdependent zones - the ring, the atrium and the concert hall. The outer building, which resembles a frame in shape, was designed with the needs of the orchestra in mind. Among its more than 400 rooms are a chamber music hall, rehearsal rooms and dressing rooms. Music lovers, in turn, enjoy the space around the concert hall. The centerpiece of the building is a concert hall designed to seat 1,800 people, enclosed inside a massive concrete block. Its appearance is reminiscent of the interior of a giant musical instrument. And indeed - it was inspired by a Stradivarius violin, its fine shape and unique shine. Despite the multiplicity of materials used, they combine into a harmonious whole, creating a unique atmosphere and exceptional acoustics.
A place for meetings and cultural events
Inside the building there is no shortage of solutions for rest and relaxation. There are bars, restaurants, a music store, places with a view of the surroundings. These can be used not only on the occasion of concerts. As Tomasz Konior emphasizes, from the very beginning NOSPR was designed as a meeting place: We wanted to build a community around music in the heart of Katowice and Upper Silesia through a diverse and attractive space. It becomes a second home for musicians, frequented by residents and visitors, providing ideal conditions for attending concerts, but also for spending time, feasting, viewing exhibitions, and shopping in the bookstore. This is part of the urban fabric that is part of the local tradition and builds identity. I would like this architecture to grow into the consciousness of residents, to be useful, liked and durable. After 10 years, it seems to have succeeded.
One of the ideas to honor the 10th anniversary of the NOSPR headquarters was an exhibition located in the building's foyer, titled “How the NOSPR was created/ Architecture in the process of creation 2008-2014.” It consisted of sketches by Tomasz Konior, design drawings created in the Konior Studio, and finally - photographs by Bartek Barczyk, Wojciech Radwanski, as well as those from the Konior Studio archives.
A unique meeting with Konior Studio architects Tomasz Konior and Dominik Koros and photographer Bartek Barczyk took place at the NOSPR headquarters on 29.10.2024. During a curatorial tour of the exhibition “How the NOSPR was created/ Architecture in the process of creation 2008-2014”, Tomasz Konior told those gathered about the idea, the design process, music, architecture and the magic of memories - enchanted in photographs and sketches made available to visitors. The evening, organized by OKK! PR was hosted by Olga Kisiel-Konopka: “I would like to sincerely thank all the guests who came, for the wonderful atmosphere of this evening, inspiring conversations and the opportunity to celebrate art dressed in words, images and sounds together. From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank the wonderful architects from Konior Studio Tomek Konior and Dominik Korosi for “designing” for us the possibility of this meeting, as well as the colorful story about the passion of creation, which combines architecture and music. I also cannot overestimate the role of the photographers, including Bartek Barczyk, thanks to whom the story becomes apparent. It is with sentiment that I thank the NOSPR team and our patrons: Kontakt Simon / OMNIRES / 2TEC2 / Wiśniowski / Samsung."
