Work submitted for the competition
"Best Interior Diploma".
The subject of the diploma study is one of the buildings of the Old Railway Station complex in Katowice - the Main (Clock) Hall together with one of the underground tunnels, as well as the rooms belonging to the Hall (currently, the exit from the tunnel to Wojewódzka Street is not in use, it has been plugged). This is a special space both architecturally and functionally. The underpass, which is closed today, could once again be vibrant and serve the residents and the city.
The main idea of the project is to create in the very center of Katowice a public space for residents, free from smog and air pollution.
Jododajnia is located in one of the buildings of the Old Railway Station in Katowice
© Ksenia Makała
Theyododajnia would be a place for every resident of Katowice, who, tired of the hustle and bustle of the city, could rest and relax here, and above all breathe in the highly ionized, clean air. Also, the opening of the now-blinded tunnel and making it available to residents will make it possible for passersby to enjoy the beneficial properties of ionized air on a daily basis, at least for a while, while passing through the tunnel. An additional element, complementing the Jododajnia, is a city gallery, displaying works by contemporary local artists, as well as a café.
Jododajnia in Katowice, projection.
© Ksenia Makala
Jododajnia operates on the principle of indoor brine graduation towers. Currently, there are several similar facilities in Poland, for example in Rabka-Zdrój, Radlin, Zory and Ciechocinek. However, these are outdoor graduation towers, and their use is limited by weather fluctuations. Indoor graduation towers are located only in spa centers or private facilities, so they are not open to the public.
The staircase leads to the mezzanine floor
© Ksenia Makala
TheMain (Clock)Hall, along with an unused tunnel, will be transformed into an indoor brine graduation tower. Thanks to specially designed wooden structures filled with blackthorn (branches of the Japanese plum tree), along which the brine flows, a specific microclimate is created. Over the blackthorn filling are located overflow troughs, which allows brine to flow down. This brine drains into a tank located in the floor and is pumped again - the whole process takes place in a closed circuit.
Interior of the Clock Hall
© Ksenia Makala
The space of the Clock Hall is not limited by partition walls, it is vast and open. Its appropriate height makes it possible to design a mezzanine running around its walls and forming an interior balcony with entrance from two sides. It will be a new element for this space, it is where the art gallery is planned.
The underground tunnel leads to Wojewódzka Street
© Ksenia Makala
The centerpiece of the Clock Hall is the main, self-contained graduation tower. With its form it forms a continuation of the wall graduation tower presented in the tunnel. The remaining space of the Hall has been equipped with elements of small architecture: benches, seats, tables, wooden deck chairs. They were placed in such a way as not to obstruct the flow of passersby to and from the tunnel.
Interior of the café located in the left wing of the station
© Ksenia Makala
Thecolor range used in the project is narrowed, with a strong dominance of white and warm light. Small architecture, mainly rest areas, was made of light, natural, wooden materials. The interior, thanks to the choice of appropriate lighting, is contemporary, elegant and harmonious. The light "leads us" through the hall to a mezzanine with an art gallery, and through an underground tunnel. The interior of the café is equally simple, using wooden benches, which were part of the former waiting room.
Ksenia MAKAŁA
Illustrations: © Author
