EXHIBITION NUMBER: SW38
WAS—IS—WILL BE
Dworcowa Quarter Katowice — a photo and video visualization at 4DD
The “WAS—IS—WILL BE” exhibition, comprised of archived photos of Katowice dating back 100 years, photographs by Bartek Barczyk, and visualizations of the exceptional redevelopment project by Konior Studio, creates the story of the Dworcowa Quarter in the heart of Upper Silesia’s capital. Viewing will be possible between the 23rd and 24th of January, 2025, at 4 Design Days in Katowice.
The exhibition devoted to the Dworcowa Quarter is included in this year’s program of 4 Design Days, one of the largest design and architecture events held on 23-24 January, 2025, in Katowice. The exhibition will be displayed at the International Congress Center.
The Dworcowa Quarter through time
The “WAS—IS—WILL BE” exhibition is comprised of archived photos of Katowice, captured by the renowned photographer Bartosz Barczyk, and visualizations illustrating the ongoing redevelopment by Konior Studio. The presentation will serve as a time machine, taking visitors to 19th-century Katowice, showcasing the current view of the part of the city, and finally uncovering a peek into the future, which will become reality in three years with the completion of the Dworcowa Quarter revitalization.
”When photographing the historic townhouses of Dworcowa Quarter, I tried to capture something more than historic architecture rich in tradition. Often, while traversing the city, we stop truly seeing it. We stop noticing how unique it is; we miss the valuable details. I wanted my photos to serve as a reminder of the uniqueness of this place. I believe I’ve succeeded,” says Bartek Barczyk, the author of the photos.
The revitalization of 11 townhouses, designed by Konior Studio for a private investor, Epione Group, aims not only to restore the city’s now aging spirit but also to increase the appeal of the Katowice city centre. By introducing new functionality to abandoned and neglected buildings, the city gains a driving force for further dynamic development. According to the authors of the project, thanks to Dworcowa Quarter, the downtown will become full of life and a friendly urban space.
“We want a revitalized Dworcowa Quarter to energize Katowice’s city center. By highlighting the beauty of historic architecture — an integral part of the city’s history — we also shape its attractive future. It finally ceases to be an embarrassing memory. We are architects, but we are also residents of Katowice, which is why we care for the future of the city we live in. I believe that in a few years, we will be proud of the transformation Katowice went through,” says Tomasz Konior, chief architect and owner of Konior Studio.
A photographic story of the city
Each image in the exhibition is more than just a simple frame. It tells the story of the city, full of subtleties and shades resembling a sepia-toned photograph. The archived photographs tell the story of Katowice at the turn of the 19th and 20thcenturies, showcasing a side of Dworcowa Quarter that now only exists in photos, slightly nostalgic, existing beyond the memory of the current generation.
In contrast, Bartek Barczyk’s photographs present the perspective of an artist who notices the timeless beauty in architecture: a streak of light illuminating a building, a decorative detail on a facade, or the harmony of divisions in a building. All that serves as a reminder of the fact that the present is a prelude to the future, a future with the power of restoring beauty where it had been neglected for decades.
An important part of the “WAS—IS—WILL BE” exhibition is the visions of the future, designed by the team at Konior Studio. They showcase the revitalization of historic structures and the creation of new ones. Construction has been underway for 2 months, transforming ambitious plans into reality. In three years, another chapter will begin, where the vision will become reality for Katowice.
The exhibition is in partnership with LEO, whose works draw inspiration from extraordinary photographs by brilliant artists. Through their passion and sensitivity, they are able to capture untouched corners of the Earth and translate natural structures into deep original works of art.
Investor: Epione Sp. z o.o.
Project: Konior Studio
Photography: Bartek Barczyk
Historical Photos: Konior Studio Archive