Daria Jachimczak on Her Journey to Architecture: From Early Sketches to Conscious Design

In the next episode of the “Fundamenty” podcast, we learn the story of Daria Jachimczak—a student at the Faculty of Architecture at the Kraków University of Technology—who talks about her journey to becoming an architect. It’s a story not only about design, drawing, and her studies, but above all about the process of shaping her own approach to architecture. Daria emphasizes that an architect’s journey doesn’t begin with a single defining moment. It’s often the sum of small experiences, interests, and decisions that, over time, lead in a specific direction.

First Sketches and the Beginning of a Passion

Her interest in drawing began as early as childhood. Daria recalls that her grandfather taught her the basics of drawing. It was primarily about spending time together and developing a hobby, rather than a conscious preparation for a future career. At that time, the most important thing for her was copying her grandfather’s drawings and enjoying the creative process itself. It wasn’t until later that she began to think about how to combine her interests with her future career.

Her first thoughts about architecture emerged while she was still in elementary school. During a conversation with a friend, Daria heard about the profession of an architect and decided that it might be a field that would allow her to combine creativity with work requiring specific skills. It wasn’t a sudden moment of inspiration, but rather the beginning of a gradual discovery of this path.

In high school, Daria took a drawing course for three years. This experience allowed her to see how much work lies behind the apparent ease and creative freedom. Exercises, revisions, and repeated attempts taught her discipline and patience. She realized that growth in architecture requires not only talent, but above all, consistent effort and a willingness to continually hone her skills.

Architecture Studies—A Confrontation with Reality

For Daria, starting college was a moment when her previous ideas collided with reality. Architecture turned out to be a field much broader than simply designing visually appealing structures. Her studies required creativity, but also good time management, resilience under pressure, and the ability to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously. As she herself notes, many architecture students at some point wonder if they’ve chosen the right path. Yet it is precisely these more challenging moments that become an important part of their development and allow them to better understand the nature of the profession.

One of the most important stages in Daria’s development was her first job at an architectural firm. Working in a small team allowed her to see the difference between academic projects and real-world implementations. At the firm, projects had real-world consequences—they had to function, meet requirements, and address the needs of users. Daria worked, among other things, on public contracts and service-oriented projects, where not only ideas mattered, but also responsibility, precision, and the ability to make decisions. This experience showed her that architecture is a combination of aesthetics, technical knowledge, and working within constraints.

Drawing as an Additional Path for Development

Alongside her studies, Daria also created commissioned portraits. For her, this was an opportunity to develop her artistic skills, but also to learn independence and responsibility. Working with clients meant having to meet deadlines, respond to others’ expectations, and manage her own time. Although balancing commissions with her studies wasn’t always easy, this experience taught her greater self-discipline.

At one point, Daria decided to focus more on her studies and her personal development. This decision allowed her to take a broader view of her future and consider which area of architecture interested her most. During her master’s program, she also took on the challenge of working in an international environment. Classes taught by a foreign lecturer made her realize how important it is to be able to present her own ideas with ease, including in English. This was another step in developing skills that go beyond design itself.

Architecture as a Continuous Process

Daria is currently in her final year of her master’s program. She views this stage as a time for further exploration, experimentation, and stepping outside familiar patterns. She emphasizes that inspiration can be found everywhere—while traveling, observing urban spaces, or learning how people use different places. After all, architecture begins not only at the computer or the drawing board, but above all with careful observation of the world.

According to Daria, the foundation of an architect’s work is not solely built on spectacular projects or unique ideas. What proves most important are the qualities developed every day: consistency, responsibility, patience, and a willingness to learn. Her story shows that architecture is a path built from many small experiences. It is precisely these daily choices, attempts, and the knowledge gained that gradually shape the future designer.