Nestled in the heart of Ostrava, the PLATO Contemporary Art Gallery is a testament to the power of transformation. What was once a crumbling slaughterhouse has now been reimagined as a cutting-edge art space, thanks to the vision of Polish architectural firm KWK Promes, led by Robert Konieczny. The gallery’s design beautifully marries the city’s industrial past with contemporary architectural interventions.
KWK Promes has transformed a slaughterhouse into an art gallery
The building retains its soot-darkened brickwork, bearing witness to Ostrava’s rich industrial history. Meanwhile, modern materials like microcement have been used to reconstruct missing walls and original decorations, adding a layer of freshness while respecting the building’s legacy
Original brickwork is exposed in some areas
Six large openings in the old structure, filled with rotating doors, create a dynamic interaction between the gallery’s interior and the outside world, with their dark, opaque glazing controlling the natural light filtering through.
Outside, the carefully curated vegetation references the layout of the old slaughterhouse premises, blending the old with the new. Every detail of PLATO Gallery speaks to a thoughtful balance of history, art, and architecture, making it a must-visit for art lovers and architecture enthusiasts alike.
The transformation of this once-forgotten space into a vibrant cultural hub showcases the potential of adaptive reuse, proving that history and innovation can exist side by side.
Rotating concrete walls open the galleries to the surrounding park
The gallery contains four exhibition halls
