In December 2019, we settled the eighth edition of the competition for the best student diploma entitled "A&B Academy". Out of the twelve works nominated for the finals of the competition, we selected four, in our opinion, the best. We decided to award the first prize ex aequo to Anna Wawrzyniak and Katarzyna Kolpa-Zharowska. The second prize went to Anita Tokarski, and the third prize to Katarzyna Gilek and Justyna Janowiec.
interventions in the urban fabric
(two 1st Prizes ex aequo)
"Archipelago of the centers - revitalization of post-communist large-panel blocks of flats and the space between them on the example of the city of Jastrzębie-Zdrój",
proj.: Anna Wawrzyniak
The two works awarded ex aequo first prize in our competition are projects that represent two different types of interventions in the urban tissue. Anna Wawrzyniak's master's thesis titled "Archipelago of Centers," defended in 2017 at the University of Applied Arts Vienna (Universität für angewandte Kunst Wien) and prepared under the supervision of the famous Kazuyo Sejima [cf.A&B 6/2019], deals with the revitalization of post-communist large-panel blocks of flats and the spaces between them using the example of the city of Jastrzębie-Zdrój. The author developed her interventions at four scales: city, neighborhood, block and apartment, taking as her model a compact, walled medieval city. Her first action was to delineate "pedestrian towns" by drawing circles with a radius of four hundred meters (this is the generally accepted distance where no car is used). The next step was to determine the so-called neighborhood scale within each township. The revitalization of the blocks consisted, among other things, in expanding the first floors and locating public functions there, providing lateral links between the building blocks, creating semi-public zones on their roofs, reconstructing balconies and introducing allotment gardens shared by residents. Among other things, we awarded the work for taking up the important and universal theme of revitalization of block housing, which "haunt" many Polish cities, an in-depth analysis of the problems of residents of blocks of flats and a proposal for their solutions, a social approach to architecture and showing that with relatively small gestures one can give the existing structure a completely new dimension.
"Experimental Exhibition Zone - an artistic start-up as an element of the trail of culture and art of the southern bank of the Vistula River in Krakow",
proj.: Katarzyna Kolpa-Zharowska
Master's thesis by Katarzyna Kolpa-Zharowska entitled. "Experimental Exhibition Zone - an artistic start-up as an element of the trail of culture and art of the southern bank of the Vistula River in Krakow", defended in 2018 at the Faculty of Architecture and Fine Arts of the Andrzej Frycz Modrzewski Krakow Academy and prepared under the supervision of Dr. hab. Krzysztof Ingarden [cf.A&B 1/2019], envisages the realization in the Cracow district of Podgórze, in the immediate vicinity of the Vistula boulevards, of a minimalist pavilion with an exhibition function, intended for temporary exhibitions, vernissages, presentations of collections of collectors and works of young artists, as well as the organization of events or meetings of art enthusiasts. The interdependence of nature, art, architecture and public space was most important to the author in developing the project. We awarded the prize for the aesthetic form of the pavilion, the interesting interior and the play of light. In addition, we appreciated the fact that the project treats the existing greenery with respect and introduces a small but purposeful intervention in the urban fabric.
Courage and visionary (Second Prize)
"Grand Canyon Hotel."
proj.: Anita Tokarski
We awarded the second prize in the eighth edition of the "A&B Academy" competition to Anita Tokarski for her master's thesis entitled. "Grand Canyon Hotel," defended in 2018 at the Faculty of Architecture and Fine Arts at the Andrzej Frycz Modrzewski Academy of Krakow and prepared under the direction of Dr. Bartosz Haduch [cf. A&B 7-8/2019]. The author located her site within the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River. The new architecture is intended to be merely an intermediary between man and the magnificent scenery. The biomorphic hotel-bridge is located on the site of one of the famous Navajo bridges. In her work, the author decided to use infinity technology, based on transparent and reflective materials that can be projection screens - using such technology, the building could become almost invisible. We awarded Anita Tokarski's project for its original idea for the function and body of the building, for its courage and visionary spirit, and for the use of modern technology.
inclusive space (Third Prize)
"Wzgórza Krzesławickie - Integration. Revitalization and rehabilitation of the Wzgórza Krzesławickie residential area in Krakow",
designed by Katarzyna Gilek, Justyna Janowiec
We decided to award the third prize to Katarzyna Gilek and Justyna Janowiec for their master's thesis entitled. "Wzgórza Krzesławickie-Integration. Revitalization and rehabilitation of the Wzgórza Krzesławickie residential area in Krakow," defended in 2018 at the Faculty of Architecture of the Krakow University of Technology and prepared under the supervision of Professor Grażyna Schneider-Skalska [cf. A&B 10/2019]. The goal of the project was to carry out a comprehensive revitalization of the area and improve the living environment for residents. The project was divided into phases, and the main idea was to integrate residents through small interventions in the fabric of the residential area. In addition to activities "stitching together" the area, a number of point interventions were proposed, as well as changes in the area of communication or the arrangement of greenery on the estate. We awarded the prize for a comprehensive approach to the subject of revitalization of a residential area, creating a coherent housing unit by combining independent existing centers and creating neighborhood spaces conducive to integration.
***
In the eighth edition of the "A&B Academy" competition, we awarded revitalization projects that emphasize social accents, as well as visionary concepts that refer respectfully to the natural context. We congratulate all the finalists whose works we published in A&B in 2019! And the winners will receive commemorative diplomas, book prizes and A&B subscriptions from us. The next, ninth edition of the "A&B Academy" has already been inaugurated, so all architecture graduates of 2018-2020 are welcome to participate in our competition!
elaboration: {tag:AuthorA&B}
A&B editors Małgorzata Tomczak (editor-in-chief), Magda Broniatowska (editorial secretary), Dobrawa Bies, Ola Kloc, Marta Kulawik, Eliza Makowska and Katarzyna Mikulska participated in the jury deliberations.
