Although every day we talk about architecture in the context of new buildings, skyscrapers and spaces, it is worth remembering that revitalizations and renovations of old places are also a very important part of this field. Katarzyna Antończyk, also known as Architekt na Szpilkach, specializes in such a niche, as she is able to restore the magic of apartments in old tenements.
Solid foundations
Kasia derived her love of architecture from... a house that was built from a design by legendary Polish artist and architect Stanislaw Witkiewicz. It was also the birthplace of her style that focuses on authenticity (wood, not panels!) and art, which naturally blends with the high aesthetics of the projects she creates. She began sharing her knowledge and passion on her blog more than 10 years ago. She is also the author of a number of e-books that help less advanced users simply do a good and efficient renovation. Today, on social media, her activity is already followed by more than 44,000 people.
Behold the Architect on Pins!
© NVIDIA
She also provides individual advice and helps create a dream apartment for virtually anyone. In this case, design skills alone are not enough, because Kasia is also really a bridge between the new tenants' vision, sense of style and her own experience. Often it's also reconciling the visions of two spouses. Fortunately, experience and solid arguments do their job, after all, a rustic apartment in a modernist building is probably not a good idea?
Kasia Antończyk guest on the podcast with the Speed of Imagination
© NVIDIA
And what in the work itself gives her the most pleasure? About this she should best tell herself:
The moment when clients move into an interior designed by me - a space we actually created together - gives me the greatest satisfaction. In my work it is crucial to listen and take into account the needs and expectations of the ordering parties, so I value their initial ideas and visions. When I see that the residents live comfortably in the new arrangement and don't want to change anything in it, I feel the greatest joy in the final result. This is the coolest moment of the project.
In search of the perfect furniture that has souls
© NVIDIA
Tools, trends and balance
The work of an architect is very diverse. On the one hand, they sometimes sit dozens of hours in front of a computer, and on the other hand, they drive from construction site to construction site, from apartment to apartment, for several days. It is important to maintain a balance in all this. Catherine specialized in interiors, which allows her not only to achieve better results, but also to balance her work with family life. Being a good architect sometimes means making tough decisions and going against the grain. While everyone loves MDF doors, the architect on pins says a firm no to them! Instead, he recommends the wooden ones, which can at least be repaired more easily. Such consistency and building one's style sets one apart from other, many times very similar projects. Also important are the tools to maintain such calmness. In her work, Catherine uses the NVIDIA Studio ecosystem, which offers hardware such as powerful GeForce RTX graphics cards, whether in a laptop or desktop, as well as stable software and regular driver updates. The reliability of all these elements allows you to work with a calm head, because you know that everything will run smoothly. All the more so when we present the results to our customers. As she says, after an intense time outdoors she likes to relax in front of the computer and vice versa. Balance first and foremost.
With NVIDIA Studio, you can work comfortably outside
© NVIDIA
Modern work tools also include social media, which Kasia advises using to the fullest. She believes that presenting her work and projects, if only on Instagram, allows the audience to get acquainted with her style, making it much easier to meet expectations. For clients, the choice is also easier, because such a social profile is, so to speak, a catalog of works, but also a form of direct contact. Anyway, it is enough to enter Catherine's profile to see for yourself.
Daily inspiration
Architects also look for inspiration in their daily work. For Catherine, it's often a rather unusual hobby of visiting wonderful staircases, usually in unfamiliar tenements. More than once she happened to ring the intercom and ask to see the interior of a particular building. What's coolest about it all, the residents very often open these doors and share the beautiful spaces. Reportedly, the coolest ones are not at all in Gdansk or Wroclaw, but in Bielsko-Biala. The second thing is to look for patterns among nature. In the past, when computers had considerable dimensions, it was much more difficult. Today, laptops bearing the NVIDIA Studio stamp are not only ultralight and small, but also super-efficient. Also, the user doesn't have to worry about battery life, because artificial intelligence makes sure that the battery lasts as long as possible. As a result, we can work for several hours even on a park bench or at the beach.
Own style is the basis
Catherine Antończyk, combining all these elements, from building her own style, balance and using the best available tools on the market, has built her own unique brand. It's also a story about the importance of specialization in today's world. By choosing our niche, we can achieve mastery in it. Add to that a thriving social media and NVIDIA Studio equipment, and you have a recipe for interior design success.
