PLATO CONTEMPORARY ART GALLERY REHAB BY ROBERT KONIECZNY, KWK PROMES

The PLATO Contemporary Art Gallery in Ostrava, designed by Robert Konieczny, originates from an international competition aimed at transforming a deteriorated former slaughterhouse into a cultural institution. The existing structure, marked by damaged brick walls, large openings, and soot-stained surfaces, reflected the city’s industrial past. Rather than erasing these traces, the project embraces them, preserving the building’s raw character while introducing contemporary interventions.

The historic brick fabric and original window frames were retained, while missing or damaged portions were reconstructed using micro-concrete. Openings in the walls were filled with modern materials that respect the original ornamentation, creating a dialogue between old and new. This approach allowed the building to gain a new layer of history while remaining under heritage protection.

A central concept of the design is the activation of the existing openings as functional connections between the gallery and the surrounding city. Large rotating wall elements were introduced, enabling exhibition spaces to open directly to the exterior. This flexibility expands curatorial possibilities and allows artworks to extend beyond the interior, fostering greater accessibility and engagement with the public.

Although not initially commissioned to design the surrounding landscape, the architects proposed a transformation of the outdoor areas. Impermeable concrete surfaces were removed, and contaminated soil was rehabilitated. The site now features a biodiverse park with permeable ground, meadows, and water retention systems. The landscape layout echoes the footprint of former slaughterhouse buildings, while the inclusion of edible plants, both outside and within the gallery, reinforces the project’s ecological and social ambitions.

Materially, brick remains the dominant element, with many reused from the collapsed parts of the structure. New glazing incorporates ceramic printing to soften incoming light and create a subdued atmosphere within the galleries. Interiors are finished with white lime plaster applied over mineral insulation panels, referencing hygienic treatments typical of the building’s former use.

The original atrium, once open, is now covered, allowing the preserved brick surfaces to remain visible. Former wooden roof structures have been replaced with steel frameworks clad in a light membrane, reducing heat absorption and mitigating urban heat island effects.

A defining feature of the project is the system of six large rotating walls. Two serve as entrances, while the others connect interior galleries to the outside. Despite their scale, they provide full enclosure when closed, and their mechanisms, concealed beneath the floor, require minimal maintenance.

Overall, the project transforms an industrial relic into an inclusive cultural space that not only presents contemporary art but also raises awareness of environmental and social issues.

project: plato contemporary art gallery

location: Ostrava, Czech Republic

architecture: KWK Promes - Robert Konieczny > www.kwkpromes.pl

authors: Robert Konieczny, Michał Lisinski, Dorota Skóra

construction: ms projekce 

site area: 11 417,50 m2

usable floor area: 2 441,24 m2

design competition: 2017

status: completed, built

typology: cultural, museum, art center, gallery, rehab 

year: 2022

photography: juliusz sokołowski, jakub certowicz 

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