EC1 Łódź – City of Culture Complex
EC1 in Łódź, Poland, was transformed from a historic power plant into a vibrant cultural and educational complex. With museums, science centres, cinemas and inclusive public space, EC1 offers a powerful model for revitalising industrial heritage across Europe.
The EC1 complex in Łódź began as the city’s first power plant in 1907. After its closure in 2000, the site deteriorated until the City Council launched the EC1 Łódź – City of Culture initiative in 2008, aiming to create a multidisciplinary centre for science, technology, art, and film. The revitalisation, implemented in stages from 2010 to 2023, has established EC1 as a major cultural and educational institution at the heart of one of Poland’s most dynamic urban regeneration zones. The transformation was supported by six projects co-financed by the European Union, demonstrating a successful integration of heritage preservation, urban development, and EU funding mechanisms.
EC1, a member of the European Route of Industrial Heritage, features several listed buildings. The project preserved key architectural and technical elements of the historic buildings while adapting them for contemporary use. Art Nouveau and industrial-style facades were restored, early 20th-century machinery was conserved, and interior features, such as woodwork, tiles and metalwork, were retained or replicated using traditional techniques. The restoration involved a wide range of skilled crafts and was paired with sustainability measures, including green roofs, water retention systems, and LED lighting. The result is a coherent ensemble that bridges industrial heritage with contemporary functions.
Today, EC1 encompasses the Centre for Science and Technology, a Planetarium, the Centre for Comics and Interactive Narratives, the cinema of the National Centre for Film Culture, and a hands-on education zone for children. These attractions are complemented by public green space and a year-round cultural programme. In 2024, EC1 marked its two-millionth ticket sold. That year alone, over 200 public events were organised and more than 50 educational programmes were offered to schools. The site includes 40,000m² of usable space and hosts at least eight permanent and several temporary exhibitions annually.
EC1 also accommodates creative industry offices, non-profit organisations and community initiatives, fostering collaboration across culture, education and enterprise. Partnerships with local universities, including the University of Łódź, further strengthen its interdisciplinary role.
Accessibility and inclusion are central to EC1’s mission. The complex is fully accessible to people with disabilities, supported by architectural, digital and content-related solutions. It also participates in employment and training initiatives to improve diversity in the cultural sector. Ongoing dialogue with residents ensures that local needs are reflected in programme development.
The rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of EC1 could serve as a reference for similar initiatives. Its broad impact spans urban revitalisation, heritage conservation, cultural innovation and environmental sustainability, positioning it among the most ambitious adaptive reuse projects in Central Europe.
“This large-scale adaptive reuse project transformed a former power plant into a dynamic cultural and educational centre, with strong community involvement in shaping its new functions,” the Awards’ Jury stated. “As part of a broader urban regeneration effort, the EC1 Łódź – City of Culture project demonstrates how heritage reuse can drive transformation in post-industrial cities,” the Jury emphasised.
Contact: Adiran Kulesza | ”EC1 Łódź – City of Culture” in Łódź | adrian.kulesza@ec1lodz.pl | www.ec1lodz.pl