Nearly 40 male and female students and 15 male and female lecturers from partner foreign universities (from Spain, Portugal, Italy, Romania and Lithuania) came to Bialystok Technical University. From July 1-5, 2024, they participated in the activities of two international summer schools. Their topics were extremely topical due to climate change: sustainable construction and vernacular architecture, rooted in local building traditions.
Photo by Dariusz Piekut
Sustainable construction is a topic that the whole world is now focusing on. It's about building in a way that is eco-friendly, environmentally friendly, but also user-friendly. It is these issues that we are addressing at the next international summer school at Bialystok Technical University. Our proposal is increasingly popular among young engineers from all over the world. The classes consist of exchange of experience, practical workshops and presentation of our achievements in this field, as the experience of the incomers is quite different," says Prof. Dorota Anna Krawczyk, vice-rector for international cooperation at Bialystok Technical University and coordinator of the school.
The concept of sustainable construction includes activities, processes and construction practices that support the environment economically, socially and environmentally. Researchers at the Faculty of Construction and Environmental Sciences at Bialystok Technical University have been deepening their knowledge in this area for years and have significant achievements in this field. Their willingness to share their experience was a magnet for 19 male and female students from Spain, Italy and Lithuania, 2 Polish students and 9 male and female lecturers from foreign universities. During the week-long residential course at Bialystok University of Technology, they had the opportunity to learn about sustainable construction from both the design and execution side, i.e. the installation of appropriate environmental engineering systems and the integration of passive architecture facilities into user-friendly spaces, as well as the financial aspects of the whole thing. This knowledge will be supplemented by online classes.
Photo by Dariusz Piekut
The theme of the second international summer school at Bialystok Technical University was vernacular architecture, i.e. architecture rooted in local building traditions. This is a new and original proposal in the offer of the so-called Blended Intensive Program, implemented by PB under the Erasmus + Program. It benefited 20 male and female students and six lecturers from universities in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Romania and Lithuania.
During the course dedicated to vernacular architecture, we focused on discussing the multi-generational tradition of wooden construction still alive in Podlasie. Students from Spain, Portugal, Italy, Lithuania and Romania were introduced to the characteristics of different areas of our region. This is an interesting experience for them, since in other corners of Europe vernacular architecture is based on stone or brick structures," explains Dr. Dorota Gawryluk of the Faculty of Construction and Environmental Sciences, coordinator of the school.
Photo by Dariusz Piekut
We should pay special attention to the advantages of vernacular architecture during the climate changes we are currently observing. It is worth reaching back to the traditions of our ancestors, but also to share experiences with the inhabitants of different countries, regions and climate zones. Importantly, we have a great example in Podlasie of how vernacular architecture can inspire building innovations. In this context, we discuss the production of modular homes at the Unihouse factory in Bielsk Podlaski. We go back to tradition to understand why wood in our region was the optimal building material, and also to use this wood in a great way in modern architecture," adds Dr. Dorota Gawryluk.
Podlasie vernacular - woodenarchitecture has been in the center of scientific and research interests of the staff of the Faculty of Architecture at the Bialystok University of Technology for years . Knowledge in this area is developed in the form of studies of the monuments of regional wooden construction, as well as monographs on the role of wood as a building material. The department also organizes the "Wood in Architecture" competition, which promotes the most interesting diploma theses whose authors - architecture graduates from all over the country - have relied on wood in their projects.
Photo by Dariusz Piekut
The huge potential of wooden architecture is also evidenced by the success that the Polish Pavilion had at the World EXPO 2020 in Dubai. Among its designers was Michal Czerwinski, a graduate of the Faculty of Architectureat Bialystok University of Technologyand an architect at {tag:pracownie}. The Polish showcase at EXPO, made entirely of wood, won first place in the large pavilion category in the World Expo Awards competition organized by EXHIBITOR Magazine. It was also recognized by the Bureau of World Expositions - Bureau International des Expositions in the "interior design" category. After moving to the country, the Polish Pavilion already as Xylopolis Wood Art and Science Center has a chance to become a tourist attraction in Podlasie.
In addition to attending lectures and laboratory classes, participants of the summer schools at Bialystok University of Technology toured Bialystok and Podlasie. They had a study visit to the factory of the Unihouse company in Bielsk Podlaski, which is a pioneer on the Polish market in the production of modern timber-frame modular buildings. Following the trail of Podlasie's wooden architecture, they visited the Podlasie Folk Culture Museum, Bielsk Podlaski, the Land of Open Shutters trail and Supraśl. They also enjoyed additional sports activities and team-building games. Administrative support was provided by the Mobility and International Agreements Service Department of the Bialystok University of Technology.
Photo by Dariusz Piekut
