The Renovation of the Centennial Hall Complex During 2009–2016
Repairs to the building facade of the Centennial Hall, modernisation of the building’s interior, an renovation of the Wrocław Congress Center and Iglica
renovation of the Centennial Hall facade (2009/2011)Centennial Hall
The Remaking
Given the nature of the funding for the project, the repairs were divided into two stages. Stage 1 included repairs to the building’s facade.
renovation of the Centennial Hall facade (2009/2011)Centennial Hall
Stage 1
The concrete façade was scratched and cracked in many places. There were multiple damages plus losses caused by the degradation of the concrete.
renovation of the Centennial Hall facade (2009/2011)Centennial Hall
The concrete coating of the reinforcement had lost its protective properties causing the steel to rust, which led to cracking and the loosening of pieces of concrete on the window pillars. The entire surface of the façade required comprehensive conservation and renovation.
view of the main entrance to the Centennial Hall after renovation (2009/2011)Centennial Hall
What was done?
Cleaning of the entire concrete surface of the façade using low-pressure, repairs of losses (re-profiling), crampons, and the disruption of corrosion, reconstruction of surfaces in areas of larger losses, injection of all cracks and scratches to secure the structure.
Minor defects and hollowing of the texture of concrete, securing the concrete surface of the façade with an impregnate, repainting the façade preceded by several trials made on cleaning concrete surfaces to determine the correct coating.
Renovation of the window and door woodwork
Window woodwork was made of an extremely resistant exotic wood called ferric mahogany (ironwood). For renovation, which included replacing damaged stiles and reconstructing the secondary elements, it was finally to use wood under the trade name of “Iroko”.
The original relief structure of the glass was to improve the acoustics in the building. The color of the glass and its structure were chosen to soften sunlight, which could blind the audience.
For renovation, the basis of sample, a search for glass currently produced was very hard. Finally, a special glass was chosen and as close to the original as possible, commenced.
renovation of the Centennial Hall main slab (2009/2011)Centennial Hall
Stage Two
The renovation and modernisation of the Cenntenial Hall interior.
renovation of the Centennial Hall main slab (2009/2011)Centennial Hall
The main point of the renovation was to bring the building up to the requirements necessary for the sports and entertainment facilities so that this historic building could still serve its original purposes.
renovation of the Centennial Hall main slab (2009/2011)Centennial Hall
Main works
Complete replacement of the auditorium as well as maximising the number of spectators so that the building could seat 7.000 people or, alternatively, it could provide a standing room for 10.000. In the case of sports events the building can now accommodate 10.000 spectators.
renovating Centennial Hall's main slab (2009/2011)Centennial Hall
Securing and reinforcing the dome’s lantern with a carbon fiber tape, constructing of a new reinforced concrete structure of the fixed grandstand, and the telescopic steel grandstands, the repair of the reinforced concrete construction elements inside the Hall (re-profiling).
renovation of backstage areas at the Centennial Hall (2009/2011)Centennial Hall
The removal of all offices and ancillary rooms in the backstage area, cleaning of internal concrete surfaces, removal of secondary stone cladding, replacement of flooring and installation in the backstage area, replacement of metal window blinds, and many more.
view of the Centennial Hall main floor and auditorium after renovation (2009/2011)Centennial Hall
The basic premise was to preserve the authenticity of the original building materials by utilizing repair technologies that maintain the historic character of this building.
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Centennial Hall
modern view
renovation of the Wrocław Congress Center (2010/2011)Centennial Hall
Renovation of the Wrocław Congress Center
Almost the complete reconstruction was based on the old, historical plans from 1920.
renovation of the Wrocław Congress Centre (2010/2011)Centennial Hall
The adaptation of the former Restaurant Pavilion designed by Max Berg to host large conferences began in June 2009.
renovation of Wrocław Congress Center (2010/2011)Centennial Hall
At the center, there are two glass-enclosed halls for about 1.000 people each, four smaller conference rooms for about 180 people, a VIP area and four meeting rooms with a floor space of about 30 m, as well as a public restaurant and a bistro.
the Wrocław Congress Centre rebuilt (2010/2011)Centennial Hall
Large windows and a glass façade open onto a magnificent view of the colonnade of the historic Pergola, the Wrocław Multimedia Fountain, and the surrounding Szczytnicki Park. On the other side of the building, a roofed passage leads directly to the Centennial Hall.
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The fountain adjacent to the Centennial Hall
modern view
the Wrocław Congress Centre rebuilt (2010/2011)Centennial Hall
Since its opening in September 2010, the Wrocław Congress Centre has become one of the most important conferences and congress centers in Poland. Its modern form has been harmoniously integrated into the existing Centennial Hall complex.
renovation of the Spire (2016)Centennial Hall
Iglica
The forty-four-ton construction was erected in 1948 on the occasion of the Exhibition of Regained Territories. It was supposed to show the efforts of Wrocław citizens to rebuild the city destroyed by World War II and Festung Breslau. Designed by engineer Stanisław Hempel.
renovation of the spire (2016)Centennial Hall
Originally, at the very top of the building, there was a mirrored structure resembling a plume. With the plume, Iglica was 106 meters high. In the 1960s, the rusted peak was cut off, reducing it to 96 meters.
putting the Spire (2016)Centennial Hall
In 2016, the Iglica was renovated for the third time. The metal structure was sandblasted and then painted with three layers of special paint, similar to the paint used on the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The cracked piece and the nuts holding the Iglica leg bases were replaced.
western view of Centennial Hall after renovation (2012)Centennial Hall
Today, the Iglica measures 90 meters and 30 centimeters.
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Iglica
modern view
