December 6, 1930 - Wojciech Zabłocki

Polish architect, Olympic fencer and artist

Wojciech Zabłocki

Zabłocki is the designer of several sports buildings including The Józef Piłsudski Academy of Physical Education in Warsaw and a sports complex in Konin. He also co-designed the Silesian Insurgents Monument in Katowice in 1967.He is a founding member of the Art of the Olympians.

  

Silesian Insurgents Monument

Architect Kenzō Tange,the winner of the 1987 Pritzker Prize for architecture, is credited as as architect for this 1 billion project, but he resigned from the project before the construction of the palace started.

Despite the flaws of this enormous palace it is an impressive work of architecture. Presidential Palace is the residence for the President of Syria, located in Damascus, in the West of the city. Total palace premise covers 510,000 square meters and the main building – 31,5000 square meters. It was built over 5 years from 1985 - 1990.

 Presidential Palace,Damascus

Hafez al-Assad wasn't happy about the result. He is said to be annoyed by the 25 foot long staircase that led up to his office and was paranoid about being assassinated. Bashar's father claimed that this palace was not intended for him, but for his successor.  

This 1 billion dollar palace was never lived in by any of the Assad family, before the 19th president of Syria, Bashar al-Assad.