Alicja Maculewicz and Emilia Dziagelewska -.
podcast #38 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, we talk with Alicja Maculewicz and Emilia Dzięgelewska - architects who have numerous participations and successes in architectural competitions. It's a conversation about the behind-the-scenes of competition work, building a workshop, the pressure of time and why a competition is much more than just "sending the boards and waiting for the verdict."
A contest is a process, not a lottery ticket
Contrary to popular belief, an architectural competition is not roulette. Alicia and Emilia show that behind every good project there is a thoughtful process: analysis of the context, a clear idea, a good narrative and the ability to select means. For them, the competition is a field for experimentation, but also a testing ground for their own thinking about architecture.
One of the most difficult elements of competition work is time. Deadlines are unforgiving, and there is always more material than hours in a day. In the interview, the girls talk about what it's like to work as a team under pressure, how they share roles, and why communication as a duo is more important than perfect tools.
idea more important than form
They repeatedly emphasize that in competitions it is not showy graphics that win, but a clear and consistent idea. The project must "defend" itself already at the concept level - before the renderings are created, before the details appear. The jury is looking for meaning, logic and boldness, not just pretty pictures.
For Alicia and Emilia, competitions are one of the best forms of learning the job. It's a place where you can make mistakes, develop your own design language and learn to take responsibility for decisions. Each new project is a step forward - even if it doesn't end with an award.
Who are the competitions for?
Not only for "old-timers." Competitions are also for students and young architects. This is often the only real chance for their project to reach the jury's table, to be published, noticed and taken seriously.
Aleksandra Skorupa
Listen also to other podcasts
from the "Foundations" series
31. Zuzanna Polak on interior architecture, intuition, travel and maturing into a profession
32. getting started in the landscape architecture profession. What do studies really not teach?
33. studying space design in the Netherlands. What is the path from dream to diploma?
34. studying architecture in Valencia. Nicholas Zajda on Erasmus, Spanish education and student life.
35 Studying architecture and urban planning in Sweden. Marcin Zebrowski's experience
36 From Spain and the Netherlands to working for Helmut Jahn. Mikolaj Zajda about internships abroad
37 Architecture in Swedish. Kinga Zemla about studying in Stockholm.
