The Cemex Building Awards has named the Polish Aviation Museum the best Institutional building 2011.
Completed towards the end of 2010, the Polish Aviation Museum in Krakow (Poland) has a design that is inspired by aeronautical themes. Situated on the site of an old airfield (the Rakowice-Czyzny airport), from above the building resembles an aircraft propeller. Arup's clients on this project were Pysall Ruge Architekten with Bartlomiej Kisielewski who needed Arup's expertise to achieve their vision of an outstanding modern building. Working together with the architects, the Arup team led by Andrzej Sitko Director, and Sebastian Szafarczyk, Structural Engineer, helped shape the building to reflect the architectural structure, which was inspired by origami art.
Arup's advanced structural design (including the long span steel structures) using architectural concrete, enabled the 4,500m2 building to be built to accurately reflect the architects' vision. Arup's work also included the analysis and development of the competition concept and design, preparing building permit documentation and supervising aspects of the construction. The building houses exhibition spaces, a cinema and conference room in two of its wings – and a library, cafeteria and museum offices in the third wing. The CEMEX Building Awards recognises current small, medium and large construction projects that stand out for their innovative building solutions, concepts, techniques and aesthetic beauty.