Ostrava will make accessible to interested parties the reconstructed building of the former municipal slaughterhouse

Ostrava – Ostrava will make accessible to interested parties the reconstructed building of the former municipal slaughterhouse. From mid-May, it is preparing a month of open doors so that people can see the renovated historical building before the Plato gallery moves in. Guided tours with historians and architects, as well as events for families with children, are planned. This was announced today by the spokesperson of the city hall, Gabriela Pokorná.

"The month of open doors will also include tours reserved for schools, architecture students, or providers of hotel services. Entry to all events is free, however, due to capacity limitations, prior reservation is necessary. Further information about the program and how to reserve for individual events will soon be available on the city's website," said Pokorná.

In addition to the currently empty exhibition halls in the renovated historical building, two exhibitions will also be prepared. The first, titled Reactivation: the municipal slaughterhouse and its surroundings, will introduce visitors to the history of the building as well as the vision of the future urban district that the area is expected to transform into in the coming years. The second exhibition, named Moving Architecture, will allow interested parties to get to know the work of the designer of the slaughterhouse's reconstruction and his studio. The slaughterhouse is being renovated according to a design by the Polish studio KWK Promes led by architect Robert Konieczny. "The exhibitions that will map the story of the building and its creator will also be complemented by a debate with the architect. During the presentation, Robert Konieczny will present parallels and differences between the Ostrava project and the designs his studio has created over more than 20 years," added the spokesperson.

In addition to the planned month of open doors, the public will also be able to view the spaces during the July music festival Colours of Ostrava 2022. The Plato gallery will commence its activities in the new headquarters in September.

The rescued slaughterhouse is one of the main buildings in the area that Ostrava wants to transform into a new urban district. "With the reconstruction of the slaughterhouse building, we are approaching the final stages. The city is currently taking over the building from the contractor, and defects and unfinished works will gradually be removed. The occupancy permit is planned for the end of April," stated Deputy Mayor Zuzana Bajgarová (ANO).

The architectural competition for the reconstruction of the slaughterhouse was announced by the city hall in 2017, and the reconstruction began in April 2020. The costs reached 190.8 million crowns excluding VAT. The building will have five exhibition halls that can function independently or be interconnected thanks to a system of rotating walls. In addition to its own gallery spaces, it will also include administrative areas, a café, and facilities for education.