Architecture

Architecture is a word with ancient origins (Latin architector - I build; Gr. archi - chief, tecton - builder). It means the science and art of designing and constructing buildings and other spatial forms, and shaping the space between them. Architecture provides the backdrop for the human life that goes on between buildings.
According to Vitruvius - a Roman architect who lived in the first century B.C. and author of the famous treatise "On architecture books ten," the basic principles of designing and erecting buildings should be based on three guidelines, such as: durability (firmitas), utility (utilitas) and beauty (venustas).

Genesis of architecture

The history of architecture is also the history of human civilization. To this day, we can marvel at the elements of architecture of ancient cultures - Egyptian, Greek or Roman. We can also admire the dominant styles in different centuries - Gothic, Romanesque, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Eclectic, Art Nouveau, Modernist, Expressionist, Postmodern, high-tech, Deconstructivist or Futurist architecture. Some will be enthralled by the 19th-century Chicago School or the international style developing in the interwar years in Europe and later beyond; others will be fascinated by 20th-century deconstructivism or minimalism. Traveling, we can admire the architecture of various regions of Poland, Europe and the world. We will then discover that the art of shaping space, this "life between buildings", is diverse and defines individual areas and their inhabitants.

What does an Architect do?

Architect deals with the broadly interdisciplinary design and creation of Architecture. Within its framework, an architect may specialize in one or more of its types: "Large Architecture", "Small Architecture", which may often also include "Design and Industrial Design", "Landscape Architecture" and "Interior Architecture". In each project, the architect must take into account a number of factors and comply with formal and legal strictures, which are imposed by the requirements of construction law, technical conditions, space development. Important factors in the design are the conditions, requirements and preferences of the private or public investor and the target budget.

What are the types of Architecture?

As part of "Major Architecture," an architect designs and provides construction supervision for all types of buildings and private and public utility structures. Its subtypes include residential architecture, public utility architecture, educational architecture, office architecture, commercial architecture, sacred architecture, industrial architecture sports architecture and other types of architecture depending on the function of the buildings being designed. Under "Small Architecture," an architect can design, for example, elements of the urban fabric, such as bus stops, bus shelters, pergolas, playgrounds and recreation areas, urban furniture. Within the framework of "Landscape Architecture", architects deal with the creation of coherent green spaces and landscaped areas at different scales. Architects specializing in "Interior Architecture" deal with adaptations, revitalizations and decoration of old and new interiors, often changing the original function of the building, such as from industrial architecture to residential with specific solutions of decoration, but also internal structures and installations of the building.

office architecture

Architecture varies depending on its function. The most dynamic development today in our cities is office architecture, driven by the profit of private investors. Simple in their shapes, glass houses such as the new headquarters of Orange in Lyon by Hubert Godet and Hardel Le Bihan Architects, or Kraków's Park Club (proj.: MoonStudio), compete here with environmentally friendly buildings like Green Villa (proj: MVRDV) in Dutch Sint-Michielsgestel or Mexican Next Hydroponic Plant (proj.: CC Arquitectos).

residential architecture

The residential architecture residential is growing just as fast today, reaching dizzying prices per square meter of so-called usable residential area (PUM) in metropolitan areas. Multifamily housing is the most popular, such as "Carbon hausing" (proj.: 2H+ Architects) in Katowice. The lucky ones who have the opportunity to buy an apartment in the city center and thus avoid long commutes in traffic jams from home to work, can enjoy big-city living in any of the modern townhouses, such as "The Interlock" (design: Bureau de Change) in London. Lofts continue to be fashionable, and the dream of owning a home near the city is not going away. Single-family homes are springing up like mushrooms, both in the suburbs and in rural areas.

Life outside the city constantly tempts with its idyllic character, while providing many difficulties (long commutes to work and school, lack of adequate infrastructure on site, etc.). Nevertheless, the blocks of modern houses can impress and arouse envy in the average owner of a few dozen square meters in large slab. Under construction on the outskirts of Poznań, The Twisted House (proj.: Banach Architects), Home in the Forest (proj: 081 architekci) located in Lublin's Klementowice or the House in Pieniny are just a few examples of great single-family architecture that is increasingly being designed in Poland. A thus, it is no longer only catalog houses that occupy the minds of Poles (although these are still being built the most), but in many localities you can also find modern residential architecture of the highest order.

architecture of public facilities

A very important sector is architecture public facilities, of which a great number are being built in our country in recent years. Many of these buildings win awards in competitions organized by the Association of Polish Architects or the mayors of individual cities. The public sphere of our cities is extremely important, as it reflects the spirit of our community. Squares, edifices of offices or courts, buildings of schools, kindergartens and universities, blocks of hospitals, museums and other cultural facilities - all this testifies to the level of our social life.

In public space takes place our daily life, so it is important that this space is well organized and aesthetically arranged. We can invariably draw examples of high-quality public architecture from abroad. Facilities such as Danish Water Treatment Station in Hillerød (proj.: Henning Larsen) or the  Landscape for Play playground in Matadero Art Center in Madrid (design: Aberrant Architecture) are stunning and a model to follow. However, it must be admitted that domestic examples of public architecture, such as District Court in Siedlce (design: HRA Architects) are slowly catching up with the level of Western architecture.

architecture & culture

In the last decade, a number of architectural competitions for public buildings have been decided in Poland. An important sector here are buildings pertaining to the area of culture serving the intellectual needs of city residents. These can include museums, galleries, philharmonics, opera houses, theaters, cinemas or community centers. Among the projects selected in recent competitions, noteworthy are, among others, Museum of the Dukes of Lubomirski by WXCA, Center for Literature and Language "Planet Lem" in Kraków designed by the JEMS Architects and Plock Art Gallery by Proarchitecture.

architecture for recreation, relaxation and entertainment

Places that provide entertainment, relaxation and recreation, that is, all leisure spaces, also play an important role in the lives of urban residents. These facilities not only play the role of filling free time in the city, but also become an important element in integrating the community. It should also be remembered that in addition to creating a setting for interpersonal contacts, recreation is also a panacea for all kinds of civilization diseases, sensory overload or stress. Among Polish realizations in the field of architecture of recreation an interesting proposal is Water Park Tychy (proj.: Schick Architects, TKHolding), which was shortlisted for an award in the "Completed Buildings: energy production and recycling" category at this year's World Architecture Festival. From foreign projects, however, it is worth mentioning "Moon club" in Prague (proj.: Formafatal, Machar&Teichman) or underwater restaurant "Under" (proj.: Snøhetta) in Lindesnes, Norway.

architecture of sports facilities and commercial architecture - background for people's meetings

Among the architecture that provides a backdrop for people's meetings, sports facilities architecture and commercial architecture also play an important role. The former are now multifunctional in nature. The largest of them, such as stadiums or sports and entertainment arenas, gather not only athletes and fans - often concerts or other mass events are also held in their spaces, which is why thinking about acoustics is so important in their design process. An interesting sports facility is the WIN4 center (design: EM2N) located in Winterthur, Switzerland. Also noteworthy is the Water and Ice Sports Center (proj.: Restudio Jacaszek Architects) on Lake Ukiel in Olsztyn.

In turn, commercial architecture includes shopping centers, boutiques, stores and showrooms, i.e. spaces where sales and services are conducted. In view of the fact that nowadays they are no longer meant to merely satisfy demand, but also to generate it, they must be visually appealing and at the same time evoke positive emotions. Therefore, their design and furnishing nowadays even requires scenographic talent. Interesting spaces generate with certainty Market Hall in&nbs