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Projected impact of the Variant 3 on the values of the public space of the City Centre: program, spatial solutions, new connections, characteristics of public space
| program | multifunctionality and adaptability to users’ needs (zones of recreation and relaxation, a large gastronomic zone – in the form of an open-air railway museum, functions of culture, education and business; green solutions) |
| spatial solutions | elements of various typology: large-scale locomotive depot halls, small-size cubic modules of a light, scattered structure located along the tracks, a system of atria and linear underground connections, are a compositional extension of the locomotive depot fans; adapted elements of the rolling stock are used in the project |
| new connections | multimedia exhibitions located underground connect areas parted by the railway tracks; such passages lead to important destinations within the city, one of them houses the first underground (metro) line in Katowice |
| characteristics of public space | accessibility and mixed use; the concentric layout of the links, offsetting the effects of the spatial barrier represented by the tracks, integrates the system of functions distributed along the railway line; it is subordinated to the geometry of the steam engine house |
Projected impact of the Variant 4 on the values of the public space of the City Centre: program, spatial solutions, new connections, characteristics of public space
| program | the planned functions encompass: an open-air railway museum, a multi-level park, orangery, a hotel featuring a fitness and recreation centre, a business-oriented section |
| spatial solutions | a complex of five architectural cylinders freely located in a park-like green area reminiscent of a railway siding layout; the building forms complement the fan-shaped geometry of the locomotive shed |
| new connections | the facilities and adjacent areas are spatially and functionally linked by a system of steel footbridges |
| characteristics of public space | an accessible and multifunctional space with recycled elements; the steel structure consists of modules with exhibition, green, education, coworking, catering, accommodation and other functions; some of which are reused railway carriages |
Projected impact of the Variant 1 on the values of the public space of the City Centre: program, spatial solutions, new connections, characteristics of public space
| program | multifunctionality; inside the structure there is a railway station platform, whereas in the adjacent semi-circles (including the fan buildings of the locomotive depot) there is space provided for the development of social initiatives, coworking, recreation, culture and art, in compliance with the local community’s expectations shown in the pre-design survey |
| spatial solutions | a proposal is based on the geometry of circles supplementing the layout of the locomotive depot; in its central part the development is covered by a glazed structure of an organic shape |
| new connections | independent footbridges connect neighbouring districts and create a functional structure of collision-free passages over the rail tracks |
| characteristics of public space | an accessible, centralised, multifunctional space combining transport and cultural services, based on a synthesis of the geometry of a fan-shaped locomotive depot and pedestrian bridges, linking areas crossed by tracks |
Projected impact of the Variant 2 on the values of the public space of the City Centre: program, spatial solutions, new connections, characteristics of public space
| program | a railway museum with a system of multifunctional facilities, which can be used for the purposes of exhibitions, cultural events as well as commercial and business purposes |
| spatial solutions | the proposal is to extend the fan-shaped depot buildings with a third, higher segment to accommodate educational spaces, conference rooms and multimedia exhibitions; a park area with recreational and educational functions is planned to the south |
| new connections | an elevated meandering footbridge between the buildings provides a two-storey public space which, together with the subways, connects the districts to the north, the depot and the green areas to the south; a narrow-gauge railway is designed in the southern park |
| characteristics of public space | the mixed use public space is a hybrid of green space, amusement park and cultural space with multidirectional links offsetting the barrier created by the railway tracks |