"10 Questions to..." is a series of short interviews with architects and female architects, to whom we address the same pool of questions. In today's installment of the mini-interview, Jan Karpiel Bułecka junior of Karpiel Steindel Architektura studio answered our ten questions.
Jan Karpiel Bułecka junior - comes from a family of architects from Zakopane. He graduated from the Cracow University of Technology. Since 2006 he co-founded with Marcin Steindel the author's design office Karpiel Steindel Architektura.
1. architecture in three words...?
a. Firmitas.
b. Utilitas.
c. Venustas.
2. the three most important buildings for you...?
a. The family home, the wooden house in which I grew up. In which I was instilled with respect for architecture and for wood as a noble and natural material for man.
b. The hostel on Hala Gąsienicowa, where I often run in for tea with training. Strong memories are associated with this place.
c. Home of my own in Gubałówka, which has everything I love and from which I can see the Tatra Mountains. I constantly miss it during my numerous business trips.
3. the most important book about architecture...?
Phil Knight "The Art of Winning" is a biography of the creator of one of the world's most powerful brands Nike. It is a story of sacrifice, persistence and consistency in pursuit of one's goals. Very encouraging in the context of our many years of struggling against adversity from the local, Zakopane environment. I read things there that they don't teach in architecture, and yet it directly relates to the art of doing the job.
4. most inspiring city and why...?
There are several, but if one were to add to the effect of the greatest surprise, it has definitely been Berlin for several years. Incredibly inspiring, teaches tolerance, respect and restraint and yet it's laid back, free, sometimes even seems borderless. A unique city.
5. architect with whom you would like to design something and why...?
There is one, we have known each other all our lives, but we have never designed anything together. He is my Father...
6. hand-drawing or computer drawing?
Definitely hand-drawn. I use drawings to talk to investors. Young architects today often start concepts with a computer, but the profession of architecture in particular at this initial stage should remain analog. Computers are helpful at the next stages of design, but I always start with a piece of paper and pencil.
7. mockup or 3D model?
3D modeling has become very popular and you can quickly show the effect, but it still does not appeal to customers. I'm in favor of the mock-up, it doesn't forgive mistakes, and also investors feel the space better in contact with the physical model.
8. modernism or postmodernism?
Definitely modernism. Postmodernism is not my fave at all. It has always seemed kitschy to me.
9. working after hours or sports?
I remember the days when we worked until the morning, surreptitiously eating products from McDonald's. That's a thing of the past. Difficult because, after all, I was an athlete, I climbed and did ski mountaineering. I devoted most of my life to training. I was Polish Champion and national representative at many foreign competitions in both disciplines. Today, I still actively practice climbing, cross-country skiing, and go skydiving. It's a part of me. So today I definitely choose sports. It's during training that the best professional ideas come into my head. Naturally, I don't have time for competitive sports anymore, but it's still an important part of my life, you can't just set it aside.
10 - Architecture or business?
For me nowadays an inseparable tandem. If you run an architectural office, then, willingly or unwillingly, you start to operate in business. But I am first and foremost an architect, not a businessman, and I do not intend to ever change that.
If you have suggestions for questions you'd like us to ask, or people of architects whose answers to these questions you'd like to know - let us know in the comments.
