{Student}- a graduate of the Faculty of Architecture at the Cracow University of Technology, won the grand prix in the XXV edition of the National Academic Competition for the best diploma thesis of the year - Concrete Architecture 2024. His project "Transboundary center for the protection of the Bug River ecosystem near the Polish-Ukrainian border in the town of Strzyżów", created under the supervision of Dr. Przemysław Bigaj, was aimed at creating a space conducive to creative thought and the exchange of scientific and social experience. We wrote about the results of the competitionon our portal(Results of the 25th edition of the Concrete Architecture competition for the best thesis using concrete).
Mateusz Kołacz with the award
© Cracow University of Technology
the river that connects
Mateusz Kołacz's project is more than architecture - it is a vision of international cooperation and dialogue between cultures. Situated in a bend of the Bug River, the center was designed as a research, educational and contemplative space. Although the Bug River is a border river, in Kołacz's conception it became a symbol of the link between Poland and Ukraine.
The key element of the complex is a footbridge that leads toward the border, but does not cross it. This architectural gesture, the author stresses, is an expression of hope for joint action and mutual understanding: "Instead of opening borders, bridges should be built."
mockup
© Mateusz Kołacz
from image to solid
Kołacz's award-winning work stands out not only for its functionality, but also for its deep inspiration from art. The architect drew from El Lissitzky's work "Communication Workers, Remember the Year 1905." He transformed the geometric forms from the painting into full-scale architectural objects, creating a bold spatial composition.
The author explains that this approach, based on creative pretexts, allows architecture to gain a new dimension: "The form of a building should not only perform its function, but also carry hidden meanings that sensitive viewers will discover."
axonometry
© Mateusz Kołacz
dialogue with nature
The architecture of the Strzyzow complex is a stark contrast to the surrounding nature. The main building material is concrete, which plays the role of "modern stone" in this concept. Its rawness and imperfections add character to the buildings and place them in the brutalist design trend.
Distinctive color accents - the red trusses of the museum, the orange elements of the smaller facilities or the anthracite viewing towers - introduce dynamism and provide a counterpoint to the natural colors of the landscape. The laboratory building, reminiscent of a steel transatlantic liner, completes the material diversity of the complex.
B-B cross-section
© Mateusz Kołacz
architecture with a message
Kolacz's design responds to contemporary architectural and environmental challenges. The author emphasizes that instead of blending architecture into the landscape, a better approach is to create a distinctive contrast that highlights both the qualities of nature and the form of the buildings themselves.
The center in Strzyzow is also a space for scientific and social cooperation, where Polish and Ukrainian experts will be able to exchange experiences on the protection of the Bug ecosystem. The project promotes the idea of sustainable development, combining environmental protection with education and culture.
facades
© Mateusz Kołacz
a new look at borders
The 2024 Concrete Architecture Award to Mateusz Kolacz is a well-deserved recognition of a project that combines artistic vision with a social message. The cross-border center for the protection of the Bug River ecosystem is an example of architecture that not only fulfills its function, but also prompts reflection on international cooperation and the relationship between man and nature.
visualization
© Mateusz Kołacz
With this approach, architecture gains the status of an idea carrier that connects cultures and inspires environmental action. The award-winning project is proof that borders can be a challenge and at the same time a motivation to build bridges - both physical and symbolic.
visualization
© Mateusz Kołacz
