Małopolska Science Center Cogiteon, Science museum in Kraków, Poland
Małopolska Science Center Cogiteon is a science center in Kraków designed by the Wrocław office Heinle, Wischer und Partner Architekci. The building has a triangular plan, a glazed entrance façade and a green roof of varying slope, with much of its floor area placed underground to meet conservation requirements. The complex comprises four pavilions, laboratories, conference rooms, greenhouses and a public park with a playground and 296 trees.
The institution was formally established in December 2017, and the building's design by the Wrocław office Heinle, Wischer und Partner Architekci was chosen in an architectural competition announced on 17 February 2018. Construction began in late March 2021, despite pending appeals over the building permit and a cultural landscape heritage listing. The general contractor handed over the building on 5 April 2024, with the opening ceremony set for 21 and 22 June 2024.
The name Cogiteon connects Descartes' famous phrase 'I think, therefore I am' with the work of Polish poet Zbigniew Herbert and his character Pan Cogito. The Greek suffix 'eon' points to the art and performance activities that regularly take place inside the center.
The center is open most days but closes on Mondays, so it is worth checking before you go. Booking tickets in advance is a good idea, especially on weekends and during school holidays when it tends to fill up quickly.
The building stands on a triangular plan with a glazed entrance facade and a green roof of varying slope; most of its floor area lies underground because of conservation rules. The complex has four pavilions, laboratories, conference rooms, greenhouses and a public park with a playground and 296 trees.
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