[1] In 2015, the new building of the philharmonic was awarded the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture.

In 1958 the Philharmonic was named after the renowned Polish classical composer and conductor Mieczysław Karłowicz (1876-1909).

Until 2014 the Philharmonic was located in the representative rooms of the Municipal Office, on Armii Krajowej Square.

From September 14, 2014 the new seat of the Philharmonic is a building on 48 Małopolska Street, designed by Studio Barozzi Veiga from Barcelona.

The characteristic ice-like shape of the philharmonic and its translucent ribbed-glass façade, which gives the building a white glow at night,[4] has become a new icon of the city and has received numerous architectural awards such as First Prize in the prestigious Eurobuild Awards 2014 contest in the category of Architectural Design of the Year.