SECOND PRIZE WINNER!
Alicja Smoczyk, Iwona Kin & Pawel Mordeja
Poland
We are Alicja Smoczyk, Iwona Kin and Paweł Mordeja. We are second-year architecture students at
Wroclaw University of Science and Technology. We have met during our studyings and have
connected over our similar opinions and tastes.
Interview with the Winner
What is your design philosophy?
In our design process we aim to mix two opposing things: the very real and the very abstract. We want to focus on real problems that we notice in our direct surroundings and that we consider underrepresented. At the same time, we try to incorporate abstract and conceptual ideas, breaking away from conventional solutions.
Can you briefly explain your understanding of the topic and the source of ideas?
From our perspective as designers, we treated this topic as a kind of sandbox that allowed us to explore how specific elements of architecture affect our emotions. We investigated different surroundings and experimented with various elements, analyzing their effect. From the perspective of a visitor, we treated it as a display, in which the museum itself is the exhibit. One of the main sources of inspiration for us was our experience regarding communication spaces in buildings, which in our opinion often appeared to be designed based only on the necessities required to move people and goods through the building, completely ignoring their impact on users’ emotions. Therefore, we decided to show how important elements such as corridors or staircases are and explore the emotions they evoke.
When and how you were first introduced to architecture?
It’s difficult to indicate the exact moment, considering that architecture is something that surrounds us all the time. It would be more accurate to say that we have gradually become more aware of it, with the breaking point of starting our college education.
What does architecture mean to you?
We believe the essence of architecture is experimenting with form and creating spaces that serve a purpose. It connects the arts, science, and sociology to reshape and improve our environment
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