Characteristics of Modernism in Katowice Architecture
In the inter-war period the Silesian voivodship was the richest region in Poland. Its major city, Katowice, was one of the only two sites in Poland (Gdynia being the other one) where, following the modernist credo ''Form follows functions'', impressive modernist edifices were erected.
Pre-war Modernist Buildings
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Silesian School of Technology Professors' House (Dom Profesorow Slaskich Technicznych Zakladow Naukowych) - the first skyscraper in Poland situated at 23 Wojewodzka Street. This nine-storey building, erected between 1929-1931, was a pioneer in the steel skeleton construction.
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Skyscraper (Drapacz Chmur) – the most interesting and the most magnificent example of functionalism in Poland. It is situated at 15 Zwirki i Wigury Street. It is the second skyscraper to have been erected in Poland. This seventeen-storey edifice was completed, after five year building process, in 1934. The ''Drapacz Chmur'' was designed by Stefan Bryla and Mieczysław Kozlowski. Many Polish celebrities used to live in the luxurious and spacious flats of the ''Drapacz Chmur'' in Katowice. The innovative, at the time of its construction, method consisting in the use of steel skeleton design was also applied here.
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The Garrison Church of St. Casimir (Kościół Garnizonowy pw. św. Kazimierza), erected between 1930-1933, is the first"CaË,olic church erected in accordance with the functional architectural trend. It is situated in Marii Curie Sklodowskiej Street.
Modernism after World War II

2. Dworzec Glowny PKP w Katowicach (Katowice Main Railway Station), completed in 1972, is an example of late modernism. It was designed by a team of recognized architects known as ''Tigers'': Waclaw Klyszewski, Eugeniusz Wierzbicki and Jerzy Mokrzynski. The construction supervisor was Waclaw Zalewski. The two-storey building was constructed with the use of concrete cups supporting the ceiling of the top hall. The Main Railway Station used to be one of the most representative structures. However, not having been renovated for years the building has fallen into decay.
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Tadeusz Michejda's Villa – a modernist detached house designed by and built for Tadeusz Michejda, the modernist architect, in 1926. It is situated at 19 Poniatowskiego Street.
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Katowice Muchowiec Terminal designed by Tadeusz Michejda, the prominent modernist architect (1927)
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Silesian Library at 12 Francuska Street (1928)
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Palace of Youth at 26 Mikolowska Street - an excellent example of late modernism
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''Zenit'' Department Store (1962) at 12 Rynek Street
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''Tysiaclecia'' housing estate (1967 - 1972).