Going hyper for Polish hypars

Chris Marsden, the founder of campaign group Huddersfield Gem, which played a part in winning protection for the unusual West Yorkshire market building (AJ 11.08.05) has now turned his attention to a threatened railway station in Katowice.

Both buildings share similar lightweight roof structures known as 'hypars' – fanned hyperbolic shells.

Few examples of concrete hypars remain, and fears are growing that the Katowice station, which was designed to withstand mining sudsidence, could be flattened as part of regeneration plans. Other notable hypar survivors are in downtown Casablanca, Morocco and, to a lesser extent, at New York's Newark Airport.

Marsden has already tried contacting the local mayor and has recently visited the 1970s station which, he admits, needs urgent attention.

He said: 'The [Katowice] building is fascinating, with very neat narrow-board marked concrete.

'[Yet] it is Brutalist compared to the refined shells of Huddersfield and it is now cluttered with traders' units in a plethora of styles… and needs an overall controlling hand to bring order to this mess.'

Describing the 'remarkable' roof structure, Marsden added: 'In Katowice the 16 tapering columns support two rows of inclined symmetrical shells with a north light between them – a massive construction.

'In Huddersfield the 21 freestanding asymmetric hyperbolic parabaloid shell umbrellas have much more and uninterrupted all-round glazing. They are in design spirit, quite different; but the engineering principles are related.'

Designed by the J Seymour Harris Partnership (now Seymour Harris Architects), the Huddersfield market the was awarded the highest honour of the Concrete Society last year – the Certificate of Excellence for a mature structure.

Katowice Station

Katowice Station

Katowice Station

Katowice Station

Huddersfield Queensgate Market

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