"10 Questions to an Interior Designer" is a series of short talks inspired by the series "10 Questions to...". This time our attention is turned to interior architects. In today's episode, Adam Jankowski and Kamil Paszek talk about their approach to design.
Adam Jankowski - architect, founder of the AMJ design studio. Member of the Association of Polish Architects (SARP) and the Wielkopolska Regional Chamber of Architects of the Republic of Poland (IARP). Holds a construction license in architectural specialty to design without limitations. He graduated with honors from the Faculty of Architecture at Poznań University of Technology in 2018. Recipient of the SARP Special Award and the Award of the Minister of Investment and Development for his master's thesis, carried out under the guidance of Dr. Eng. arch. Maciej Janowski. Winner of many competitions in the field of architecture, urbanism and design.
Kamil Paszek - architect, graduate of the Faculty of Architecture, Poznań University of Technology. He has a construction license in the architectural specialty to design without limitations. During his studies he received scholarships at foreign universities: Università degli Studi di Firenze in Florence and Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule in Regensburg. In 2016-2020, he gained experience in renowned studios in Poznań. He wants to develop his career based on BIM processes and tools. He relies on innovative technologies, implementing himself in parametric design.
1. For us, home is...
Adam Jankowski: An oasis of peace and relaxation after an intense day at work. In my value system, this should be reflected in the interiors. In a clearly designed composition appropriately used materials and adopted color scheme. The coherence of the space, saturating it with natural light and artificial lighting, the selection of appropriate accessories and equipment can make us feel comfortable and safe in a given interior. This is what the term home means to me.
Kamil Paszek: Comfort, peace and security. I believe that every user is responsible for creating the right atmosphere in their home. And our job, as interior designers, is to make it a very pleasant and satisfying task.
2. The key to a successful interior design is....
Adam: Ensuring stylistic consistency and proper adaptation of the functional layout to the needs of the investor. The ability to combine styles, accessories and handling light are factors that define a successful interior. What's more, each of the aforementioned elements must play out separately so that the interior seen as a whole can be judged as an added value. As architects, we want to discover potential in interiors and places that often do not present this potential at first glance. We adhere to the principle that the most interesting ideas are born when solving problems and skillfully trying to meet the needs of their users.
Kamil: Talking to the Investor, definitely! I can say from experience that a good, insightful conversation conducted in the form of a survey definitely increases the chance of a perfectly tailored interior concept. From the design stuff - composition. It plays a key role in the creation and subsequent reception of the designed space.
3. We look for inspirations in...
Adam: In everyday life, all around. However, what contributes the most to opening my mind to the world around me is unrivaled travel around the world. I don't just mean visiting the world's metropolises and design capitals. The greatest inspiration very often comes from nature, learning about distinct cultures. Nothing has influenced my consciousness as a designer so much so far than getting to know new people, remote corners of the world, independent points of view on reality.
Kamil: In travel, books, the Internet. Conversations with other people in the context of inspiration are also essential - to learn as many different points of view as possible. I like to participate in lectures organized in Poznań, whether by SARP or by organizations unrelated to architecture.
4. In cooperation with an investor, the most important thing is....
Adam: Without a doubt, I would say that fitting into the needs and lifestyle of the investor. As designers, we have to, as it were, "step into the shoes" of the owner of the premises we are designing, in order to look at the broad spectrum of dependencies that can affect the quality of the space. Whether we are talking about the design of a studio apartment, the interior of a single-family home, or commercial interiors. Wherever we design, we should be guided first and foremost by room optimization in the sense of customization. In a broad sense, optimization can mean a good consideration of the functional layout, as well as an appropriately selected color scheme, space for storage, communication or thermal comfort. For us, design is all about finding solutions that enable the well-being of the recipients of our work.
Kamil: As I mentioned earlier - an insightful conversation with the client. It is very important to understand whether the investor is "selling" us a true version of himself, or a "wishful thinking" version. The key to a good design is to match it, to the future resident.
5. Our favorite design style is....
Adam: Multifaceted. Recently, styles that combine different worlds have been appealing to us more and more. For example, the realization of apartments in a style that combines minimalism with the traditions of Japanese culture, or loft combined with the style of Parisian vintage. What fascinates us especially is designing for different people and their passions, individual lifestyles. We are increasingly distant from the universal Scandinavian style, or "white minimalism", which is difficult to identify with a particular person. Too much unification does not lead to a sense of belonging to a particular place and time. In addition, designing these types of interiors sometimes seems to us simply boring.
Kamil: The aesthetics I am inspired by are strongly evolving. Regardless of the style, the key is ergonomics and proper composition.
6. The most valuable object in our home is....
Adam: Interiors as an inseparable whole. It's hard to point to one object that has the greatest value to me. I think that in my home the most important thing is a cozy atmosphere and surrounding myself with favorite objects that have sentimental meaning for me.
Kamil: Photos - they remind me of pleasant events from the past. We don't return to those in albums or phones as often, and the presence of photos on shelves and walls allows us to return to them more often.
7. The most common mistake in self-decorating is....
Adam and Kamil: Drawing inspiration from many sources without setting a common denominator for the whole. This element is precisely the consistency of the designed interiors. If we act spontaneously, choosing the components of the decor, looking at each element separately and not confronting their interaction as a whole... then we can get completely unexpected results. Often this will mean a negative ending, in which it will not be difficult to look for contradictions and clashes. This is what, in my opinion, is the difference between a designed space and one set up independently from elements that fell into someone's hands. Of course, there are people who very skillfully and carefully use their sense of style and forms and can create a great interior without a design. If someone is not one of these people and does not have experience in our profession, then I would strongly advise working with a specialist who will listen to the guidelines and skillfully sew a "tailor-made interior".
8. Our favorite material is....
Adam: Wood. Above all the materials known to us as designers, it stands out for the number of applications, possible forms and colorations. It will work great as a self-supporting structure, a target finish - both in interiors and in the design of the building facade.
Kamil: Natural, timeless materials - wood, stone, glass.
9. A trend we wish would pass away already is....
Adam and Kamil: The construction of smaller and more compressed apartments by developers. As architects, we disapprove of trends related to squeezing the biggest profits out of the so-called PUM at the expense of lightening apartments and, consequently, decent living comfort for people. This is an issue dictated strongly by the laws of the market and the search for maximum profit from a given development site. In general, however, this reflects negatively on all citizens, causing us to live in a space that is ultimately dehumanized and devoid of individual expression, a sense of human scale.
10. Someday, we would liketo live in...
Adam: A house designed by yourself. Although it's said to be the hardest thing to be a developer and designer in one. On a daily basis at AMJ studio we realize the guidelines and dreams of our investors. Maybe someday the time will come and the opportunity to realize my own vision of a place to live, which will be open to very bold solutions and effectively reflect what I think is most interesting in house architecture? This, unfortunately, I do not know. I am sure of only one thing. Such a house would stand somewhere surrounded by undisturbed nature, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Kamil: A house surrounded by nature. The view, the scenery, the proximity to greenery is a key issue for me. Of course, the architecture should complement this scenery. I assume it would be an ideal, harmonious background for it, it should not play first fiddle.
Want to see the designs by Adam Jankowski and Kamil Paszek? Click HERE
