{tag:studenci} from the Faculty of Architecture and Design at the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdansk has become a finalist in the ninth edition of the international INSPIRELI AWARDS competition . Her semester-long project "UMBRA." was awarded out of 1174 submitted works from 87 countries around the world. Also in the finals were the master ' s thesis "Intermission" by Adela Moss from the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdansk, Poland, and "TLOU - Elephant Assistance Center.Project of empathetic architecture in a model environment in Botswana, Africa" by Patrycja Ilcewicz from the Academy of Art in Szczecin.
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© Monika Zywiecka
competition
The Inspireli Awards is the largest international architecture competition, which was created for male and female students and young architects from around the world. The competition was invented by Czech architect and entrepreneur, Karl Smejkal, in cooperation with the Czech Technical University in Prague.
The goal of the competition is to promote talent, creativity and innovative solutions in the field of architecture. The competition offers participants the opportunity to present their projects internationally and gain valuable experience and professional contacts.
The competition's jury consists of 1,000 male and female architects. They are prominent architects, professors and specialists in various fields related to architecture and design. This year's Polish accent was the presence of Dr. Dominika Zawojska-Kuriata, dean of the Faculty of Interior Design and Scenography at the Academy of Art in Szczecin.
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© Monika Zywiecka
UMBRA project - union with nature through architecture
Umbra, Latin for "shadow," is a term often associated with a solar eclipse. In Polish, it also refers to a natural pigment used in painting that resembles clay. Umbra. is also an architectural project by Monika Zywiecka, located in the Baltic town of Walnut, exploring the theme of union with nature.
As sensory beings, we need to understand how we can establish a deeper connection with the world around us. The visual richness of light and shadow accompanies us every day. In a home devoid of artificial lighting, it is crucial that the space supports its users and occupants by activating their senses. Statistics show that 80% of external information is processed by the human visual system, making it one of the most important senses. In situations where there is no light, we begin to rely on the sense of touch.
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© Monika Zywiecka
symbiosis of sight and touch
The proposed structure focuses on two senses: sight and touch. A stay at the clay summerhouse offers visitors the opportunity to connect with nature through rich, sensory interaction with clay and the visual beauty of the play of light and shadow. With its cliff-lined coastline and lush forest, changing colors from green in summer to gold in autumn, Walnut Tree is an inspiring location. The cliffs in the area consist mainly of glacial clay, with an admixture of gravel and sand, providing the perfect base for the project.
In the project, clay plays a key role as a building material, which influenced various design decisions. The clay bricks serve as wall infill and vaulting material, mimicking the natural curvature of the cliff. They also cover the floors and walls, extending the horizontal lines of the cliff into the space.
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© Monika Zywiecka
sensory clay
Clay is a material rich in sensory experience, allowing residents to experience the natural environment around them. Walls of compacted earth, located on the south side of the building, mimic the horizontal stripes of a cliff. The design also draws on local resources, using roots and branches as interior elements. Wooden branches form the exterior infill of the walls, inspired by traditional gabion baskets that protect the cliffs from erosion. In addition, the wooden sticks act as window screens, filtering light and bringing gentle shade into the interior. The wooden elements are designed to stimulate the eyesight of male and female users.
Designer Umbra explores the importance of sensory design in the context of society's growing ecological awareness. Sensory experiences connect people to nature on a deeper level, creating stronger and more lasting memories. When we begin to connect with and care about the world around us, we take action to protect it. Based on an analysis of the existing environment, this project proposes an architectural structure that relates to the materials and forms found in the natural surroundings.
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© Monika Zywiecka
