Art Deco architecture in Upper Silesia in the face of social and economic changes during the interwar period

Abstract

The article aims to examine the influence of art déco on the shaping of urban space, architecture and applied arts in Upper Silesia during the interwar period. The research involved a detailed analysis of available documentation and literature on the subject, followed by field research covering the area from Katowice to Zabrze. The following research techniques were used: source research, comparative analysis of completed architectural projects, and field visits combined with original photographic documentation. Based on the criteria developed for selecting projects for analysis, the following buildings were selected: the former Admiralspalast Hotel in Zabrze, the Archcathedral of Christ the King in Katowice, the Church of St. Casimir the Prince in Katowice, the building of the Provincial Office and the Silesian Parliament, and the building of the National Economy Bank in Katowice. The selection criteria were the objective value of the architectural environment and formal references to the Art Déco style. The conclusions of the study state that art déco, combining local traditions with modernity and luxury, became a symbol of prestige in both sacred and secular architecture. In Upper Silesia, this style emphasised the region’s modernisation aspirations, while at the same time harmoniously fitting into its cultural identity, demonstrating the universal, adaptive nature of art déco on an international scale.