In January 2022, we settled the tenth edition of the "Best Architecture Diploma" competition for the best student diploma. The competition included engineering and master's theses defended in 2019-2021. From among as many as twenty-nine projects nominated for the finals, we selected the best, in our opinion. The first prize went to Agnieszka Nyka, the second to Ewa Bubik, and the third to Bernadetta Budzik. In turn, an honorable mention was awarded to Katarzyna Przybylo. On January 20 this year, the audience vote also ended, with Agnieszka Witkowska winning the largest number of votes.
FirstPrize - a place not only for people
The first prize was awarded to Agnieszka Nyka's master's thesis entitled. "Adaptation of historical objects in the era of climate change. Torpedo Factory in Babi Doły, " prepared under the supervision of Jakub Szczepanski, PhD, professor at the Gdansk University of Technology, and assistant supervisor Anna Orchowska-Smolinska, PhD, and defended in 2020 at the Faculty of Architecture of the Gdansk University of Technology [draft]. In order to illustrate the problem of human activity destroying the planet, the author's project attempts to create a place that shows the possibility of renaturalizing urban space through architecture, which should no longer be only for people, but also create a framework for nature. The diploma proposal is for three sites - the adaptation of a World War II-era torpedo factory building into a bird sanctuary and a refuge for small marine ecosystems disappearing from the Baltic Sea, the transformation of the ruins of a hall standing on the shore into an exhibition and education center, and the construction of a new information pavilion unifying the foundation.
1st Prize; axonometry of the torpedo house
© Agnieszka Nyka
We awarded the prize for the astute observation that architecture does not always have to be designed with people in mind, and that "revitalization" does not always have to mean the return of people. The transformation of the torpedo house into a bird sanctuary using very simple architectural procedures is, in the jury's opinion, an interesting attempt to change the thinking of the audience of architecture. We appreciated the interesting approach to the forms of construction abandoned by man - the partial return of them to nature and their use for a nature education center, the adaptation of existing structures, the preservation of traces of their wear and tear, and the use of recycled material for the construction of a new pavilion. The entire premise sensitively takes advantage of the unusual mood of the unobvious and rare military buildings and their location.
1st Prize; visualization of the adapted hall
© Agnieszka Nyka
SecondPrize - place of learning
The second prize for the work entitled "School as a stimulating development environment. Architecture of alternative teaching methods based on Montessori pedagogy" was won by Ewa Bubik [design]. Her engineering thesis, defended in 2021 at the Faculty of Architecture of the Silesian University of Technology and prepared under the supervision of Dr. Agnieszka Bugno-Janik, involves creating a school as a place to learn rather than be taught. Drawing on Montessori pedagogy and research in environmental psychology, the author created a layout based on the hierarchy of spaces, dispensed with communication in the form of corridors and reduced vertical partitions that are a barrier. The individual spaces are designed to stimulate students to explore the world, but also provide them with a sense of security.
II Prize, Ewa Bubik - "School as a stimulating developmental environment. Architecture of alternative teaching methods on the basis of Montessori pedagogy"}
© Ewa Bubik
We awarded the work for its attempt to design a commonly known type of facility in a completely different way, for its insightful spatial-functional analysis, understanding of the approach known from the Montessori method and anthropological view based on Yu-Fu Tuan's theory, as well as for its form and materials creating a good place for children's development.
ThirdPrize - meeting place
The third prize for the original idea for a place of cultural exchange and a simple, symbolic message dressed in a form devoid of pretentiousness was won by Bernadetta Budzik for the project entitled "Architecture connecting cultures. "Architecture linking cultures. Concept of a vegetable market on the Lusatian Neisse River" [project]. Her diploma engineering thesis, defended in 2021 at the Faculty of Architecture of the Cracow University of Technology and developed under the supervision of Dr. Bartosz Dendura, is a response to the lack of infrastructure to foster contact between the inhabitants of the area around the Polish-German border.
Third Prize, Bernadetta Budzik - "Architecture linking cultures. Concept of a vegetable market on the Lusatian Neisse River."
© Bernadetta Budzik
Inspired by border bazaars known as "Polenmarkt," the author proposed to create a communal space on the designed bridge on the Lusatian Neisse River that has the potential for intercultural meetings with additional functions such as food outlets, bicycle paths, viewpoints and a canoe descent. The designed bazaar, according to the jury, is not a monument or a representative square, but a place of real integration, the framework of which is created by the architecture.
Honorable mention - a place of silence
The jury awarded a distinction in this edition of the competition to Katarzyna Przybylo for her work titled. "Architecture of silence. Shelter of contemplation and self-realization on Przysłop Miętusim as an alternative place of rest in the Tatra Mountains" [project]. The thesis, defended in 2020 at the Faculty of Architecture of the Cracow University of Technology, prepared under the supervision of Dr. Janusz Barnaś and assistant promoter Dr. Bartosz Dendura, is a proposal to create a new hostel in the Tatra Mountains.
Honorable mention, Katarzyna Przybylo - "Architecture of silence. Shelter of contemplation and self-realization on Przysłop Miętusim as an alternative place of rest in the Tatra Mountains".
© Katarzyna Przybylo
According to the author's assumptions, it is to be a place of contemplation, tranquility, allowing to cut off from everyday life and enjoy the beauty of the mountain landscape. The flowing shape of the building results from the topography of the area and refers to the surrounding hills. The jury appreciated the work for its sensitivity to the landscape and nature and its attempt to fit in with the surroundings, for its modest and coherent concept of creating a place of rest and addressing the theme of seeking silence. Also for the choice of materials and design matching the place of creation and influencing the sense of tranquility.
Audience Award
After verifying the correctness of the voting process for the Audience Award on the A&B portal, the jury found some of the votes cast for Bernadetta Budzik's work to be inconsistent with the regulations. Thus, the prize went to the master's thesis of Agnieszka Witkowska from the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdansk, entitled "Poland for Poland" [project], prepared under the supervision of Dr. Jan Sikora, professor at the Academy of Fine Arts.
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Audience Award, Agnieszka Witkowska - "Poland for Poland",title=Audience Award, Agnieszka Witkowska - "Poland for Poland".
© Agnieszka Witkowska
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The projects awarded in the tenth edition of the competition are a search for alternative forms to traditional functions; full of concern for both users and the environment. We would like to congratulate all the finalists and finalists of the competition, whose works we published in the pages of A&B in the past year. The winners of the competition will receive commemorative diplomas from us and a subscription to A&B magazine. The eleventh edition of the "Best Architecture Diploma" competition has already started - all architecture students and graduates from 2020-2022 are invited to participate, and we would also like to remind you about the second category of the "Best Interior Diploma" competition , for which you can submit interior architecture projects.
elaboration: Ola Kloc
Illustrations: © Authors | A&B archives
The jury consisted of A&B editors and editors: Małgorzata Tomczak (editor-in-chief), Dobrawa Bies, Marta Kulawik, Katarzyna Mikulska, Wiktor Bochenek, Jakub Głaz and Kacper Kępiński.
