Dust Chimney

Piotrkowska 282

The four-sided open-topped dust chimney is a characteristic architectural element which erases all doubt that this is, in fact, a former cotton factory. This type of chimney was used for mechanical ventilation, to remove the dust from the weaving mill. To a greater extent than other branches of the textile industry, the production of cotton yarn and fabrics was accompanied by ever-present and difficult to manage flammable dust. To combat the problem, specially built ventilation systems with exhausts were used – the best technical solution available at that time.

The White Factory dust chimney was constructed in 1891 in the south-east corner of the factory courtyard. It is directly adjacent to the red brick communications tower of the eastern wing of the plant. The structure, designed by engineer Andrzej Mitropov, takes a simple and functional rectangular form. The white plaster walls are evenly divided by small mouldings and the chimney is crowned by a gable roof mounted on iron, open-work supports.