"10 Questions to..." is a series of short conversations with architects and female architects, to whom we address the same pool of questions. In today's installment, Marcin Kolanus and Jozef Franczok of the PORT studio in Wroclaw will answer our questions.
Marcin Kolanus is a graduate of the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning at the Wrocław University of Technology. He gained professional experience in Poland, Spain and Denmark, where he studied and worked at the TRANSFORM design office. Since 2012, he is a co-founder of the architectural studio PORT in Wroclaw.
1. architecture in three words...?
a. Consistent.
b. Touching.
c. Outstanding.
2: The three most important buildings for you...?
a. Vitra Campus Logistics Center in Basel, proj.: SANAA. The loading hall and warehouse designed with lightness and care, as the authors intended, the uneven circle is a symbol of perfection. The building shows that beautiful architecture can be achieved in everything you design.
b. The Meeting of Cultures Center in Lublin, designed by Boleslaw Stelmach. I visited the building during my first visit to Lublin. Being greatly influenced by the architecture, I immediately wrotean e-mailto the author, congratulating him on this work of art that awakens real emotions
c. "House number 10" in Pokrzywnik, a small village in Lower Silesia, proj.: the owners of the house. This is one of the few places that fit perfectly into the landscape, history and culture. The interiors of the house are raw and friendly, contemporary and respectful of history. Even the wire pendant fits so well that it is inappropriate to replace it with another.
3 The most important book on architecture...?
"Thinking with Architecture" by Peter Zumthor. The most important book, because I came across it very early, and it had a great influence on my shaping of my perception of architecture. In it, Saint of the Mountains relishes the moments experienced among architecture and landscape, dissecting its taste or smell, sound, hardness, emotion, building of memories and general impact on people.
4. most inspiring city and why...?
I lived and worked in Seville for several months. The mix of Iberian and Arab culture there results in a fabulous mix of mosaics and shapes, the monasteries built into the cramped buildings of the townhouses, the interior patios and viridades with exotic vegetation left me with many beautiful images. Among the hot nights and narrow, winding streets, it is a pleasure to get lost.
5. architect with whom you would like to design something and why...?
Being a curator of architectural lectures during Wroclaw Capital of Culture 2016, I had the opportunity to meet Kees Christiaanse, his architecture, urban planning and achievements are very impressive. During his recent visit to Wroclaw we had the opportunity to talk longer, even more impressive is the kind of person he is.
6. hand drawing or computer drawing?
A sketch is the best working tool at our disposal as architects, available wherever we need and completely license-free.
7. mockup or 3D model?
The mockup is the best working tool at our disposal... right after sketching. Designing in Spanish architectural offices on mock-ups allowed us to fully see mass and void, light, air, tension between building elements. At the meeting, the investor, instead of visualization, received a mock-up, in which everything important could be seen. Unfortunately, the prevailing indicators in Poland - the shortest deadline and the lowest cost for the production of design documentation result in the fact that there is usually no time or budget for this form of work. In contrast, in studies, a mockup is mandatory.
8. modernism or postmodernism?
Modernism.
9. working after hours or sports?
Sports and work, during sports and during rest the best place to create. For me personally, such a place is a swimming pool. Being under water you can find space and come up with the best ideas. Good physical and mentalcondition is the best design condition.
10 - Architecture or business?
Architecture is a business, although not always. And that's the beautiful thing about the architectural profession.
If you have suggestions for questions you would like us to ask, or people of architects whose answers to these questions you want to know - let us know in the comments.
