Three former heat exchanger stations were reconstructed recently, then converted into community centres, were launched as part of the Košice 2013 and SPOTs projects in Košice, European Capital of Culture 2013, to offer cultural, scientific, and sports activities for people of all ages.
The exchangers in ĽUdová, Važecká and Wuppertál Streets will belong to a network of community centres, where the SPOTs project team is in charge of their operation and programme. Two renovated buildings, in Brigádnická and Obrody Streets, are already fully functional and public interest in their use is increasing constantly.
“We are launching three new suburban cultural centres, through which we can involve our residents in artistic and cultural events. Thus, we provide them an opportunity to spend their free time in a meaningful and cultivated manner.
Dance, in-line skating, indoor skating, competitions, film screenings, workshops and various discussion forums are now closer and more accessible to Košice residents than ever before. I would like to thank everyone for their patience during construction work on these cultural centres.
I believe that people will utilise these reconstructed heat exchanger stations not only during the extraordinary year 2013 but also later,” said Richard Raši, Mayor of Košice.
“The project is a part of the EHMK 2013 project in order to transform a former heat exchanger into a cultural, public and sports centre. The redundant former heat exchanger is situated in the dominant part of the residential district, Nad Jazerom.
The transformation of the function is reflected in its concept by means of a clean-shaped joist acting as a dynamic boulder. The top consists of some kind of atrium with four big trees creating an isolated space from the world around. The rugged facade accentuates the public area.
The exchanger has five different interconnected floors based as galleries. Each of them fulfills a different function.” Description from the architects.
Location: Važecká Street, Košice, Slovakia
Architects: Atrium Studio
Area: 180 m2
Year: 2011
Investor: Košice City
Photography: Lubo Stacho