The old brick buildings looked like relics from a bygone era. They had stood on the site of the former Rybnik slaughterhouse for over a hundred years and were now dilapidated and riddled with cracks as thick as fingers. However, the architects at SLAS saw the potential to create something new in the ruins, not just decay.

Today, Rybnik is one of the most dynamic cities in Upper Silesia, a region which is located mostly in Poland, but with small parts in the Czech Republic. In recent years, the long-neglected city centre has undergone extensive renovation. New residential and service buildings have been constructed in the southern part of the district. However, dealing with the two remaining brick buildings of the former slaughterhouse, which was operational from the late 19th century until after World War II, proved particularly challenging. In the 1990s, part of the complex was used by the city guard and most of the buildings were later demolished. Only two remained standing, in a state of acute disrepair and on the verge of collapse.

Mariusz Komraus from SLAS architekci recalls: 'We started with a structural engineer on a building rescue project. Together with the contractor, we developed a system of support and anchors to prevent the brick walls from collapsing once the destroyed ceilings and roofs had been demolished. The foundations were then reinforced, and a new ceiling and roof structure was created.”

Careful integration with respect for the heritage

With great respect for the site's history, the architects developed a concept that allowed for the partial demolition of the brick buildings. The new apartment complex was designed to integrate them, with only the historic façades remaining. “For us, these two modest buildings represent the genius loci of the former slaughterhouse and this part of Rybnik. Our goal was not only to preserve and revitalize them, but also to build a new residential development based on the identity of these brick buildings," says Mariusz Komraus, architect at SLAS architekci.

Multipor technology preserves historic features

Particular attention was paid to the energy-efficient renovation of the historic building fabric. Following a thorough analysis of heat and moisture behaviour, the planners opted for interior insulation using 16-centimetre-thick Multipor mineral boards made of autoclaved aerated concrete. These boards offer excellent thermal insulation properties and high diffusion openness, making them ideal for handling sensitive listed brick walls. The panels were also easy to work with, and even the many windows of different sizes with segmental arches could be integrated without any problems thanks to the fact that the mineral panels are easy to cut.

Brick Architecture Reinterpreted

The new apartment building reinterprets the industrial aesthetic of old brick buildings using contemporary design elements, such as a striking brick grid, large, glazed areas, deep loggias, and open passageways known as ajnfarts, which open the building up to light, air, and community. What distinguishes this building from a typical residential development is the careful site planning and emphasis on communal spaces. "We wanted the ajnfarts to serve as meeting places and forums for exchange for the residents. In the summer, residents can find shade and coolness here, and on rainy days, they can find shelter. Children play here, and adults relax," says Aleksander Bednarski from SLAS studio.

Award-winning renovation project

The building, which combines city history with the future, has already won numerous awards. The residential complex received the Silesian Voivodeship Award for the best multi-family building in 2024, the Grand Prix of the 14th POLITYKA Architecture Award, and the 2025 Annual Award from the Association of Polish Architects. It is an impressive example of how dilapidated heritage can be transformed into award-winning architecture.