KWK promes converts slaughterhouse ruin into PLATO art gallery in the czech republic

old slaughterhouse tURNED into contemporary art gallery

KWK promes has won the competition to convert an old slaughterhouse in the center of ostrava in the czech republic into contemporary art gallery PLATO. instead of filling the random holes in the dilapidated building’s walls with brick, as if they had never existed, the polish architecture studio decided to highlight their presence as a testament to the building’s identity, adding another layer to its history.

‘we got involved in this project because the building seemed intriguing and worth preserving,’ explains KWK promes. ‘we have preserved the character of the weathered brickwork and windows, and filled the openings with contemporary material. we adopted the principle that all the reconstructed elements would be made of concrete, while preserving the old ornamentation of the brick walls.’

all visualizations by luxigon unless stated otherwise

KWK PROMES adds mobile elements to the GALLERY’s facade

though the conservator’s guidelines included a standard restoration, cleaning the facade and filling in the holes with brick, KWK promes decided to maintain the existing brickwork as a testament to the industrial history of the town and insert any new additions in a different material. as such, the facade of the building incorporates concrete wall panels in various dimensions. furthermore, the studio intended to preserve the functionality of the openings as shortcuts connecting the interior with the city. thanks to various mechanisms, the concrete wall panels can rotate and open up the exhibition rooms directly to the outside. artists have gained completely new exhibition possibilities, and art can literally go out into the space around the building, which also becomes an exhibition space. ‘mobility has brought about an opportunity for culture and knowledge in the broad sense to become more democratic and accessible to new audiences.’

in the original plan, the square around the building was also going to be concrete. yet, subsequent reports of climate change and ecological disaster, led the architects to react and change the design. ‘instead of using concrete, we introduced natural water-permeable surfaces, lots of greenery, flower meadows and natural retention. now, despite the ongoing construction, we are also working to green the roofs of the building, using such vegetation that keeps the traditional colour of the historical dirty brickwork. we believe that every single square meter of greenery in the city is worth fighting for.’

the concrete wall panels can rotate and open up the exhibition rooms