Is a talent for drawing the only path to architecture? Szymon Bernacki talks about his own journey

The path to becoming an architect isn’t always the same. For some, it begins with a fascination with drawing; for others, with building models or an interest in space. In the latest episode of the “Fundamenty” podcast, Szymon Bernacki from the Silesian Academy in Katowice talks about his own journey, which began with 3D modeling and today leads him through his studies, architectural competitions, and his first professional experiences. It’s a candid story about discovering one’s own potential, learning through practice, and the conviction that architecture is, above all, a way of thinking.

© Szymon Bernacki

First Projects Even Before Starting College

Before beginning his architecture studies, Szymon pursued his interests on his own. He learned 3D modeling software, created visualizations, and designed his first interior projects. As he himself admits, he wasn’t initially convinced that architecture would be his future. Design was simply a passion he pursued in his spare time.

One of his most significant experiences turned out to be the design of a new common space for Elementary School No. 5 in Świętochłowice. The hallway he designed was completed even before he began his studies. The opportunity to observe how users interacted with the space he had designed was the first time he truly felt the real impact of architecture on people’s daily lives.

school hallway

© Szymon Bernacki

Architecture Studies—Theory Meets Practice

When he began his studies at the Silesian Academy in Katowice, Szymon still wasn’t entirely sure he had chosen the right major. He quickly realized, however, that architecture is much more than just designing buildings.

During his studies, he explored the history of architecture, urban planning, design theory, and technical issues, which helped him organize the knowledge he had previously acquired intuitively. As he emphasizes, it was only at the university that he understood just how broad a field architecture is and how many elements make up the design process.

One of the turning points was his decision to enter the Brick Architecture Competition. His debut project , “The Reclaimed House,” won first prize in the single-family home category. The concept aimed to breathe new life into abandoned buildings by combining the existing structure with modern architectural solutions, demonstrating the potential of adaptation rather than demolition.

Dom Odzyskany

© Szymon Bernacki

The award earned Szymon a two-month internship at the OVO Grąbczewscy Architekci studio, where he was able to participate in the day-to-day work of a design firm for the first time. As he emphasizes, the greatest value came from discussions about architecture, the exchange of experiences, and the opportunity to observe the design process from the perspective of practitioners.

The conversation also touches on reflections about drawing. What had seemed like the biggest obstacle just a few years earlier eventually became an important tool for communication and design thinking. Szymon points out that what matters most in an architect’s work is the ability to convey ideas, not a perfect representation of reality.