International Conference Centre, Convention center in Katowice, Poland

The International Conference Centre is a convention center in Katowice, Poland. It features a large disc-shaped upper volume with a dark gray metal roof and a continuous band of dark glazing, sitting above a recessed lower level with glass entrances and a paved plaza with grass banks.

The centre was built between 2011 and 2015 on the site of a former zinc works and coal mine, after an international architectural competition selected JEMS Architekci in 2008. Construction faced delays due to contaminated soil and changes in contractors, but the venue opened as planned and has since hosted events like the COP24 climate summit.

The building's name often appears in the context of major gatherings, and its main hall can hold around 8,000 people, making it a hub for large events. Locals know it as a place where business conferences and public fairs mix, and the nearby Spodek adds to the area's role as a meeting point.

The venue sits in the Culture Zone, a short walk from the Spodek arena and about 15 minutes on foot from the main train station. Visitors can enter through the glass doors on the ground level, and the surrounding plaza offers space to orient yourself before events.

The building's green roof includes a pedestrian passage and a terrace, which are not obvious from the street and offer a different perspective of the structure. Also, the main hall's capacity of around 8,000 people makes it the largest of its kind in Poland, a fact often overlooked by passersby.