ICE Kraków Congress Centre - view from M.Konopnicka street by P. MazurICE Krakow Congress Centre
ICE Kraków - the business and cultural showcase of the city
Designing just the right space for prestigious events was quite a challenge, but thanks to the involvement of two Kraków-based architects, Krzysztof Ingarden and Jacek Ewý, the building boasts the outstanding form it has now.
Exhibition in the foyer during International Biennale Architecture 2015 (2015) by G. ZiemiańskiICE Krakow Congress Centre
Public utility building
ICE Kraków is owned by the City of Krakow.
City lights and ICE Kraków Congress Centre (2020) by S.WitkowskiICE Krakow Congress Centre
Competition
The design created by Ingarden & Ewý Architects in cooperation with Tokyo-based Arata Isozaki & Associates won an international competition organised by the City of Krakow.
The entrance to ICE Kraków - Konopnicka street (2017) by A. WróblewskaICE Krakow Congress Centre
Ingarden & Ewý Architects
An architecture atelier was established in 1998 by Kraków architects: Krzysztof Ingarden and Jacek Ewý. Before they had worked together in JET Atelier, founded in 1991.
Look at the sky (2017) by A. WróblewskaICE Krakow Congress Centre
Experienced designers
Ingarden & Ewý Architects specialize in public building. Before designing the ICE Kraków, the atelier was responsible for i.a. Małopolska Garden of Arts and Manggha Museum of Japanese Art and Technology.
ICE Kraków Congress Centre - view from the square by the Barska street (2016) by W. WandzelICE Krakow Congress Centre
Modern building
The construction works started in 2010 and took four years.
Grand opening
The ICE Kraków Congress Centre officially opened its doors on 16 October 2014 with the 2014.Tu i teraz [2014. Here and Now] concert, featuring music composed by Zbigniew Preisner.
Colours of foyer in ICE Kraków by W. WandzelICE Krakow Congress Centre
Foyer
The bright and spacious foyer is located on the eastern side of the building (with view over Wawel Castle and the Kazimierz district), occupying three levels.
"Such a foyer forms a peculiar additional auditorium for the audience, but is yet also a stage, a place from where Kraków is admired and which, especially when lit for the night, is perfectly visible from the nearby Vistula embankments and Wawel Hill.” – Krzysztof Ingarden
The Auditorium Hall - setup for panel discussion (2015) by G. ZiemiańskiICE Krakow Congress Centre
The Halls
The ICE Kraków Congress Centre is made up of three main halls: the Auditorium Hall, the Theatre Hall and the Chamber Hall. It also houses a Conference Hall Complex, as well as additional spaces.
Interior of the Auditorium Hall by W. WandzelICE Krakow Congress Centre
The Auditorium Hall (Krzysztof Penderecki Hall)
A multi-functional half-vineyard-type Auditorium Hall, with seating partially surrounding the stage, is ideally suited to conferences, concerts and congresses.
The technology of the multi-segment stage with seven independently adjustable modules allows organisers to arrange the space of the hall according to their expectations and needs. The acoustic design of the hall was developed by the UK-based Arup Acoustics studio. In May 2018, the Auditorium Hall was named after Krzysztof Penderecki.
Theatre Hall (2020) by W. WandzelICE Krakow Congress Centre
The Theatre Hall
A multi-functional rectangular hall (shoebox type) equipped with a box-type (or proscenium) stage.
The Theatre Hall has excellent acoustics with customisable parameters; the extensive technical facilities allow organisers to install additional elements of sound and lighting systems, as well as scenography.
Chamber Hall - Theatre with the stand setup (2015) by G. ZiemiańskiICE Krakow Congress Centre
The Chamber Hall
The Chamber Hall is located on level 3 of the ICE Kraków Congress Centre. The hall can be divided into two independent parts thanks to a movable acoustic wall.
Interior of the ICE Kraków Congress Centre - J.Bułhak street entrance (2015) by G. ZiemiańskiICE Krakow Congress Centre
Check out other spaces of the ICE Kraków Congress Centre
Side entrance from Bułhaka St.
ICE Kraków at down by W. WandzelICE Krakow Congress Centre
Awards
The design of ICE Kraków has received numerous awards in architectural competitions, with competition juries highlighting the building’s unique design and functionality.
Selected awards
The Platinum A' Design Award 2015 for the ICE Kraków Congress Centre. Meetings Star Award 2015, 2016, 2022 & 2023 for the ICE Kraków Congress Centre – the best convention centre in Central and Eastern Europe.
Awards
Accessibility Leader Award 2016 for the ICE Kraków Congress Centre in the Public Utility Building category.
MP Power Awards 2017 – winner in the Congress category for the 41st Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee
ICE Kraków Congress Centre and the Wawel Castle in the background (2019)ICE Krakow Congress Centre
Accessibility
In terms of the architecture, the ICE Kraków Congress Centre is a building architecturally accessible to everyone. Its designers took into account the needs of people with reduced mobility, people with disabilities, the elderly and parents with strollers.
The building offers a number of lifts, no-threshold doors and a wheelchair ramp. Assistance dogs are allowed on the premises of the venue. There are audio descriptions of the routes from public transport stops as well as selected facilities and spaces.
ICE Kraków Congress Centre, K. Ingarden, G.Słącz(ed.), Krakow Festival Office, Krakow 2014
http://www.iea.com.pl/o_nas.php?lang=2
http://icekrakow.pl/en
https://kbf.krakow.pl/
https://www.krakow.pl
