Postindustrial architecture of upper silesia in Poland as place of education

The aim of the research is to explore possibilities of adaptation of Upper Silesian industrial heritage objects for purposes related to education. The comparative evaluation of the refurbishment results in relation to spatial possibilities was conducted on the selected examples of completed architectural adaptations and modernizations of former industrial plants and on the examples of' technical and vocational schools, related to the factory culture. This evaluation was conducted in the context of contemporary requirements of continuing education. The evaluation criteria were formulated on the basis of literature and author's own research in the scope of new learning environments that support cognitive processes. The results of the current research presented in chosen OECD materials and conclusions of typological studies on selected innovative architectural concepts of "schools of the future" were taken into account. The comparison of' spatial modernization potential of' old institutions of formal vocationaL education and places of infonnal education in former factories has proved that the latter have a chance to become new generation places of education - an important element of the network of places that may serve inThrmal education in the city. The level of innovation applied in the rebuilt objects is related to their spatial possibilities. The results have been presented in final conclusions of the article.