Poland

Architect and historian with experience in protecting industrial heritage and modernizing and designing hospitals. Long-time lecturer at the Faculty of Architecture of the Wrocław University of Science and Technology. Author of over seventy scientific publications. Involved in saving industrial heritage in Poland.

President of the Polish Committee of TICCIH (The International Committee for the Conservation of the Industrial Heritage), member of the Europa Nostra Industrial and Engineering Heritage Committee.

Founder of the Foundation for the Protection of the Industrial Heritage of Silesia. As part of the Foundation, he leads the process of saving and adapting industrial facilities important for the economic history of Silesia for museum purposes (Railway Museum in Jaworzyna Śląska, Zinc Metallurgy Museum “Walcownia” in Katowice, Milling Museum “Młyn Hilberta” in Dzierżoniów, Silesian Porcelain Museum in Tułowice, Museum of Agricultural Technology in Piotrowice near Świdnica.

Piotr Gerber places particular emphasis on authenticity – preserving the original architectural fabric and using original machines to present the historical technological process. All of the facilities he has saved contain still functioning machines that are maintained by the former employees of these industrial plants.

Gerber has also had a significant impact on improving legislation around industrial heritage and is the co-author of conservation guidelines for post-industrial heritage assets that are implemented by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage in Poland. He also commits to transmitting his knowledge to the next generation by teaching at university level, and together with his team, organising specialist conferences and implementing educational programmes for children and young people in museums.