Victor Sitko -
podcast #52 of the series "Foundations"
The episode and the entire series are also available on Soundcloud and Spotify:
In the latest episode of the Foundations podcast, Wiktoria Sitko - a student at the Faculty of Architecture at the Cracow University of Technology - talks about the experiences that really shaped her approach to design. It's a story about stepping outside the box of academia, international workshops and building her own sensibility as a future architect.
From study circle to international experience
The beginning of this path was involvement in a study circle early in her studies. As Victoria emphasizes, it was the activity outside of classes that allowed her to gain contacts, experience and knowledge that cannot be gained solely from lecture halls .
Participation in competitions, workshops and industry events quickly translated into a more conscious approach to architecture as a field that requires continuous development.
Valencia - a lesson in creative freedom
The first international workshop in Valencia proved to be a breakthrough. A design task based on a very open slogan allowed Victoria to look at the design process from a completely different perspective.
Instead of focusing solely on function and technique, the key became:
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the search for ideas
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interpretation of space
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understanding the user
This experience showed that architecture is not just problem solving, but also creative exploration and experimentation.
Portimão - architecture rooted in context
A subsequent workshop in Portugal made her realize the great importance of the context of a place. Analysis of the city's history and identity became the starting point for design.
It was there that the theme of the architect's responsibility particularly resonated:
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towards the local community
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towards the history of the place
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towards challenges such as mass tourism
Design ceased to be merely aesthetics - it became a conscious action in social space.
Versailles - architecture as a relationship
The most abstract experience came at a workshop in France, where the theme was... "cloud." The initial uncertainty quickly turned into a deeper understanding of architecture as a system of relationships.
Working in international teams showed that:
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architecture is a process of dialogue
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design requires collaboration
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space is created at the intersection of different perspectives
The result was the concept of a "living machine" - a metaphor for society as an interacting system.
three foundations of design
Based on her experience, Victoria identifies three key elements that today define her approach to architecture:
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Idea - the starting point of every project
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Context and history - an understanding of place
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Sensitivity to the user - responsibility for quality of life
It is these values that form the foundation of conscious design .
architecture is more than a study
This episode of the podcast shows that the real learning of architecture begins where the study program ends. Workshops, trips and extra activity are not an add-on - they are an essential part of development.
The most important conclusion?
Don't limit yourself to one source of knowledge - architecture thrives on diversity of experience.
Aleksandra Skorupa
Listen also to other podcasts
From the "Foundations" series
45. by Katarzyna Karolina Howorko about studying architecture in France and Mexico
49. is it worth studying architecture in Switzerland? About Marta Lata's experience
50. Erasmus or studying in Poland? Architecture through the eyes of Krzysztof Jędrzejewski.
51. studying in Berlin or in Poland? Architecture through the eyes of Karolina Gula
