#Architectural Education in Poland_Architecture Departments
Where can you study landscape architecture in Poland? Which university should you choose? We asked students and recent graduates from Polish universities about what studying this field is like—what works, what poses a challenge, and what could be improved. Patrycja Olech talks about what it’s like to study landscape architecture at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW).
Patrycja OLECH — a landscape architecture student specializing in garden and landscape art at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW). Her current interests focus on the artistic aspects of green-and-blue urban architecture, particularly green balconies, rooftops, and vertical walls of high-rises, which have a beneficial impact on the microclimate of urban areas. She is passionate about creating spaces that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also support the health and well-being of residents. In her engineering thesis, she focused on alpaca therapy for children with Asperger’s syndrome in a home garden. This was a major challenge for her, as there are few publications on this form of therapy in green settings. Nevertheless, she tackled this topic with determination, striving to explore it in depth so that she could contribute to the development of this form of therapy in the future.
Studying landscape architecture was a multifaceted experience for me: demanding, at times frustrating, but also one that truly shaped the way I think about space. I chose this field because of its interdisciplinary nature, and the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW) is a natural place to study design within a natural context.
One of the greatest strengths of the program is its broad academic foundation. Landscape design, knowledge of plants, dendrology, ecology, soil science, natural processes, and environmental conditions teach you to view space as a complex system, not merely an aesthetic composition. The ability to analyze and synthesize has proven crucial in design work, especially outside the university. The skills I acquired at SGGW have translated into concrete results. Teamwork, design methodology, and the ability to justify solutions led me, together with my team, to win several nationwide design competitions.
My studies provided a foundation for research and design work, as exemplified by my success in securing a grant related to biodiversity. This experience made me realize that landscape architecture can have a real impact on the quality of the environment and that design does not end with a drawing. This does not mean, however, that my studies were without their shortcomings. The large number of theoretical courses did not always align with their practical application, and the pace of design work often forced quick decisions at the expense of in-depth reflection. At times, there was also a lack of stronger grounding of projects in professional realities, discussions about economics, the designer’s responsibility, or collaboration with the client.
However, SGGW taught me independence and the awareness that college is a starting point, not a ready-made blueprint for a career. It’s up to the student to decide how much they take away from it. For me, it was a strong foundation that gave me the language to describe space, a sensitivity to the landscape, and an understanding of natural processes. The rest came with experience, teamwork, and further self-development.
Patrycja OLECH
more: A&B 2/2026 – Education,
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