May 16 – symbolic inauguration of the works carried out by HOCHTIEF Polska.
Following the completion of the initial stage of works, which included execution of foundation works and of a large part of the ceiling above the underground garage facility, the symbolic cornerstone laying was held at the construction site of the Academy of Fine Arts in Wrocław.
The works consist both in constructing a new lecture and workshop building as well as developing its surrounding infrastructure. The new building, which will house the Centre of Practical Art and the Innovation Centre, is located at the junction of Traugutta and Krasińskiego streets and will occupy an area of more than 13,000 square metres. With the attic level as high as 25 metres above the ground, it shall have four storeys and one underground floor. Its top floors have been designed to be narrower at the point of the building’s contact with the neighbouring houses in order to reduce the visual difference of height compared to the adjacent buildings. The ground floor space will be occupied by design studios as well as ceramics and glass workshops. It will also include a small-sized glass mill dedicated for the exclusive use of the Academy’s students. In addition to workshops and labs, the ground floor will also be the location of a publicly accessible art gallery. The upper floors of the Centre will include three seminar rooms, two smaller and a large one, the latter being capable of welcoming up to 150 students. In addition to a car park, the underground part will provide space for storage purposes of the sculpture, ceramics, design and glass art departments. The building will have a simple shape covered with glass facades. Its glazed walls will create an impression of lightness and reflect the garden, which is the central landmark of the Academy campus, giving an illusion of the park extending beyond its actual borders. In the coming months, the construction works will focus on execution of reinforced concrete construction of the building. The project is planned to be completed in June 2012.