Spodek

The Spodek arena at night, Katowice, Poland

Spodek (saucer in Polish) is a multipurpose arena complex in Katowice, Poland, opened in 1971 at 35 Korfantego street under the name Wojewódzka Hala Widowiskowo-Sportowa w Katowicach (Voivodeship Sport and Show Arena in Katowice), under which it is known in the Polish technical/architectural literature, and under which it formally functioned until 1997.

Aside from the main dome, the complex includes a gym, an ice rink, a hotel and three large car parks. It is the largest indoor venue of its kind in Poland. It hosts many important cultural and business events. Music concerts are especially common non-sport events. Spodek can hold 11,500 people, although this number is in practice limited to 10,000 or even 8,000, due to stage set-ups obscuring the view. Its name means "saucer" in Polish, because it resembles a tilted flying saucer. Spodek is a major contribution to the cultural significance of Katowice in Poland, especially for the younger generations.

It has played host to many up-and-coming bands, such as a performance by Chumbawumba in 1997 as well as dozens of world famous bands including Boney M., The Cure, Deep Purple, Depeche Mode, Elton John, Genesis, Eric Clapton, Gary Moore, Green Day, Iron Maiden, Jean-Michel Jarre, Megadeth, Jethro Tull, Black Sabbath, Metallica, Pearl Jam, Rammstein, Robbie Williams, Slipknot, Sting, The Prodigy, Overkill, Tina Turner.

History

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Spodek from above

The idea of building a large venue originated in 1955, while Katowice was temporarily renamed Stalinogród. A contest was held to select the best design. Initially, it was to be constructed on the outskirts of town, but the Voivodeship National Council decided it should be built near the city center. A mining waste dump site classified "2A" was chosen for construction.

"2A" meant medium mining damage with a possibility of local cave-ins. While excavating the foundations, the workers dug through coal instead of soil. Soon after the construction started, rumors about design flaws of the new building spread, including the rumour that the dome would collapse when the scaffolding was removed. Because of this, in 1964, construction was halted for 18 months. Spodek's architects and chief engineers entered the dome when the supports were dismantled as a response to those rumors; obviously, they survived. Before opening the building to the public, endurance tests were conducted - 3,500 soldiers marched into the hall, and the vibration of the building was measured. The outcome of the test was positive.

Throughout Spodek's history, rumors have circulated concerning the structure's disrepair, concealed cracks, or even of it "falling apart". However, these rumours are not supported by any evidence.

Technology

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Spodek in Katowice

Maciej Gintowt and Maciej Krasiński, architects of Spodek, designed the Spodek as one of the first major structures to employ the principle of tensegrity. The roof uses an inclined surface held in check by a system of cables holding up its circumference.

The structural engineer who conceived the unique tensegrity roof and made it work is Wacław Zalewski. His innovative structures include Supersam, a supermarket in Warsaw with a roof made up of alternating arches and cables, many unique industrial roofs in Poland, two basketball arenas in Venezuela with hanging roofs, the structure of the National Museum of Art in Caracas, the Venezuelan Pavilion at the Seville's Expo in 1992, and several bridges and roofs in South Korea.

Spodek in popular culture

• Pearl Jam recorded their 6/16/00 - Katowice, Poland album at Spodek
• Smashing Pumpkins cover photo (inside) for the album Adore was taken in Katowice after a concert in Spodek
• The band Hey recorded their 1994 Hey Live! album at Spodek.
• The arena will The final rounds of the EuroBasket 2009.

External links

• Official website (in Polish)
• Aerial view of the complex and depictions and descriptions of its interior (in Polish)