Settlement of the fifth edition of the "Best Interior Diploma" competition.

Ola Skorupa

10 of November '25

First Prize

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We have settled the fifth edition of the "Best Interior Design Diploma" competition for the best student diploma. The competition included undergraduate, engineering and master's theses defended in 2023-2025. Among the projects nominated for the finals and published in the pages of A&B, we awarded four theses. We awarded the first prize to Oliwia Karapuda, the second prize to Julia Graczyk, and the third prize to Aleksandra Matusiak-Kasei. We also decided to award one honorable mention, which was won by Izabela Meyze. The Audience Award , selected by online voting, was won by Paulina Olejniczak, winning the highest number of votes from our male and female readers.

1st prize

First Prize - "Cracks (over)the sea".

We awarded thefirst prize to the master's thesis by Oliwia Karapuda - "Rifts (over)sea. The design of a service and exhibition pavilion as a voice on the lost identity of the city of Leba". The diploma was made under the supervision of Professor Marta Węcławska-Lipowicz and defended in 2024 at the Faculty of Interior Design and Scenography at the University of Arts in Poznań.

The awarded work is a project for a service and exhibition pavilion in Leba, which is an artistic manifesto in defense of the lost identity of the seaside town. The author addresses the impact of uncontrolled tourism development on the landscape and character of the place, proposing a contemporary interpretation of local architecture. Located among a pine forest, on the site of a former market, the pavilion becomes a symbolic "gap" between nature and the chaotic buildings of the city. The lightweight steel structure with a wavy roof and transparent walls refers to the seascape, creating a space for reflection on the relationship between man and nature. "Cracks (over)sea" is not only an architectural project, but also a poetic voice in the discussion about the loss of local identity and the need for harmony between nature, memory and modernity.

1st prize

We awarded the work of Oliwia Karapuda for her aesthetic attempt to organize the space of a chaotic resort and draw attention to the disappearing identity of the town of Leba. The author sensitively addresses the problem of exploitation of natural areas for the benefit of tourism, proposing a project that consciously and subtly fits into the seaside landscape. The pavilion, with its light, non-overwhelming form, is an example of creative drawing on historical and local architectural patterns.

Second Prize - "Lightshade"

The second prize went to Julia Graczyk for her master's thesis - "Światłochron - adaptation of shelter-hangars in Stargard for an integration-therapeutic complex". The thesis was carried out under the supervision of Professor Natalia Kliśko-Walczak and defended in 2024 at the Faculty of Interior Design and Scenography at the University of Arts in Poznań.

2nd prize

"Światłochron" is a project for the adaptation of post-military shelters in Stargard to an integration-therapeutic complex, where light becomes the main means of expression and a tool for building mood. The author sensitively addresses the relationship between light and darkness, paying attention to the impact of light pollution on human health and its diurnal rhythm. The transformed hangars create a space conducive to regeneration and integration, where natural and artificial light co-creates the architecture, guiding the user through successive zones of tranquility. The interiors, inspired by the design of old airplanes, preserve the memory of the place while adding a new therapeutic dimension.

2nd prize

We appreciated the project for its imaginative grappling with a non-obvious space and an equally non-obvious subject. The author has created a deeply humanistic project, adapting a space originally designed for machines into a place that serves humans. "The Light Shield" is an attempt to respond to one of the fundamental problems of modernity - the imbalance between human physiology and the rhythm imposed by the reality of capitalism.

Third Prize - "Sense vs. Form"

The third prize, for a space conducive to the development of children, thanks to therapeutic and developmental zones, went to Aleksandra Matusiak-Kaseja, author of the master's thesis defended in 2023 - "Sense and Form. Design of a sensory kindergarten in the building of the New Gasworks in Poznań". The thesis was prepared under the supervision of Professor Natalia Kliśko-Walczak at the Faculty of Interior Design at the University of Arts in Poznań.

Third prize

The presented concept is an attempt to transform the existing post-industrial fabric into a space where children will grow up staying in interiors that stimulate all the senses. The author did not limit herself to the choice of tactilely engaging materials or pastel colors, proposing an extensive program of sensory stimulating elements. Also noteworthy is the adaptability of the interior, which was achieved through the extensive use of perforations in the interiors.

Third prize

honorable mention - "Transformation of the family estate of Ludwik Rydygier".

We distinguished Izabela Meyze 's master's thesis- "History and Future. Transforming the family estate of Ludwik Rydygier," prepared under the supervision of Professor Marta Węcławska-Lipowicz at the Faculty of Interior Design of the University of Arts in Poznań. It is a project to transform the family estate of Ludwik Rydygier into a modern conference and guesthouse center. The author sensitively combined the history of the place with contemporary needs, creating a harmonious space combining tradition and modernity.

honorable mention

We awarded Izabela Meyze's work for her bold attempt to transform historic interiors, which in the project gain a modern form rooted in historical visuality and supported by the results of conservation research. They appreciated the skillful combination of history and modernity, as well as the interesting, bold approach to the color palette while preserving and recreating old architectural details.

honorable mention

audience award

From October 6 to November 9 this year, A&B readers and readers were able to vote for the Audience Award, choosing their favorite graduation project. The winner was Paulina Olejniczak 's bachelor's thesis - "Interior design of the student cafeteria at the campus of Poznań University of Technology on St. Roch Street" from the Faculty of Architecture at Poznań University of Technology, prepared under the supervision of Dr. Piotr Drozdowicz, receiving 787 votes. Paulina Olejniczak's design modernizes the interior of the Poznan University of Technology's student cafeteria on St. Roch Street, creating a functional and accessible space combining meal, work and meeting areas, where the rhythm of construction, the principles of proportion and a harmonious color scheme (gray, blue and yellow) build a modern, ergonomic and conducive to concentration.

audience award

The second place went to Paulina Czarnocka 's master's thesis - "Design of the concept of the interior of the cafe "PANOPTYKON" with 784 votes, and the third place went to Izabela Olbracht 's thesis - "Design of the interior of the restaurant in the building of the former dairy in the village of Przemocze" with 511 votes. Full voting results can be found at this link.

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We would like to congratulate all the finalists of the competition, whose works we published in the past academic year in the pages of A&B magazine and portal. The winners of Friday's edition will receive diplomas and subscriptions to A&B magazine from us.

The next edition of the Best Interior Design Diploma competition has already started - all male and female students, graduates and graduates of interior architecture and design majors from 2024-2026 are invited to participate. We would also like to remind you about the second competition category - Best ARCHITECTURE Diploma, gathering the best projects in the field of architecture.

Aleksandra Skorupa

The jury's deliberations were attended by A&B editors Małgorzata Tomczak (editor-in-chief),
Ola Kloc, Maria Cipińska, Joanna Orłowicz and Przemysław Ciępka.
Aleksandra Skorupa was the secretary of the competition.