In recent months, local SARP branches held elections for the new authorities for the 2024–2028 term [RESULTS]. We introduce the plans of the newly elected presidents of the Association, and those who were re-elected — we ask them to summarize the past years. We also ask them about the biggest challenges that architects are currently facing. Today Wojciech Bielecki, president of SARP Lublin Branch, answered our questions.
SARP Lublin Branch
Ola Kloc: How would you summarize the past term?
Wojciech Bielecki: The previous term was my first as president. The beginning was very promising. New composition of the Board, new ideas, new energy. From the very beginning, we set to work. We set as one of our priorities the integration of the community. Following the example of the Olsztyn branch, we organized an architectural tour. The whole plan was ready, the list of participants closed, all reservations made, and then came Covid. The tour was canceled, and the Board began to integrate remotely. Initially, this was the ideal solution for the situation at the time. However, remote meetings were not conducive to creative activities.
Another aspect that left its mark on last term was inflation. The aforementioned hike was no longer possible to return to, among other things, due to costs, which rose sharply. So did the monthly operating costs of the branch, which practically doubled. However, despite many difficulties, including the exclusion of part of the Board of Directors, we managed to implement several ideas, including the last two years in a row we organized a series of educational workshops for children and young people, which were quite successful. On the occasion of World Architecture Day, we organized an architectural picnic, which I hope will become a permanent part of our calendar. In addition, it was quite a long term, as in our case it lasted four and a half years. Despite all these adversities, we managed to break the bad streak and after a six-year break we organized a competition for the Roztocze Landscape Park.
Ola Kloc: What program of activities of the SARP branch do you assume for the near future? Are there any changes planned?
Wojciech Bielecki: The direction for the beginning of the current term is quite obvious. What has worked in previous years to continue, and what has not worked to discontinue or remodel. As for specifics, first is integration. There is still a noticeable problem of low involvement of members in the life of SARP. The second issue is students. We are fortunate that in Lublin there are two universities that train architects. Young people have the most energy and ideas, so it is necessary to take care of the exchange of generations throughout the SARP structure. In the current term, we have already managed to organize the first meeting at our headquarters with a group of students. Some of those present only learned about the existence of SARP during the meeting, so a lot of work lies ahead. Another issue is competitions. Unfortunately, relatively few of them are held in our area, so we need to promote them among public sector units. There are also some ideas for completely new activities of the branch. However, I prefer to talk about them in the future, as implemented.
Ola Kloc: What are the biggest challenges facing architects today?
Wojciech Bielecki: The professional work of an architect today consists of challenges alone. It is getting more difficult every year, and the scope is more extensive. Time is beginning to run out for creative work, as most of it is taken up with resolving formal and legal issues. The authorities aren't helping either. Not even in each province anymore, but in each district office, a different law begins to apply. The role of the architect in the investment process continues to decline. The whole situation is not improved by the huge market of signers and social, even intra-environmental approval of such activity. Unfortunately, there is still a lack of understanding of this problem, and even among prominent IARP activists who should be upholding the practice of the architectural profession. Statistically, up to half of the projects that obtain a building permit are prepared by people without the proper authorizations and signed by our "colleagues". Looking for the cause of all these problems, one should point out, among other things, the lack of definition and legal protection of the title of architect. In the colloquial sense, an architect is anyone who is involved in design in the broadest sense. In countries such as France, where the profession has been regulated for several decades and the title of architect is legally protected, this problem does not exist. There, the public is aware of the role and function of an architect. Another huge problem is the finances of our industry. According to the agreement between the SARP and the Chamber of Architects of Poland, the conditions for practicing the profession are the Chamber's domain. Despite this, I believe that if there is only a possibility, SARP should support IARP in improving the conditions of practice of the profession. To change the current situation as a community, we need to start acting in unison and solidarity.
Ola Kloc: How many members are there in the branch, and how much are the dues?
Wojciech Bielecki: Currently there are 91 members in the SARP Lublin branch. The fee is 25 zloty per month. Those who declare their status as retirees are exempt from paying dues.
Ola Kloc: What does SARP give to architects today? Why is it worth being a member of the Association?
Wojciech Bielecki: To quote a classic, not everything that counts can be counted. I think everyone will approach this issue individually. What is valuable to some may turn out to be unnecessary for others. SARP undoubtedly performs many important tasks, such as promoting Architecture, co-organizing architectural competitions or legislative activities. Not all architects see the need to care about the quality of Architecture and the need to promote and raise the profile of the profession. The lack of understanding of these aspects as a benefit to those who practice the architectural profession is unfortunately translated into the number of SARP members, which is much less than in the Chamber of Architects of the Republic of Poland, to which an architect must belong in order to actively practice his profession.
