A city in the green and concrete tropics. On studying in Singapore with Aleksandra Borowska and Natalia Burnagiel

Natalia Burnagiel and Aleksandra Borowska -.
podcast #13 of the series "Foundations"

The episode and the entire series are also available on Soundcloud and Spotify:

What is architecture that starts with emotions, not with a line in CAD? Is it possible to have design that grows out of everyday life, travel, conversations and boundary-breaking? In the 13th episode of the "Foundations" podcast, we move all the way to Southeast Asia. We bring back a conversation whose guests are Aleksandra Borowska and Natalia Burnagiel - young architects who talk about their exchange semester at the National University of Singapore (NUS). It's a frank, energetic and spirited conversation about studying in a tropical climate, differences in teaching approaches and architecture that grows green.

why exactly Singapore?

Ola and Natalia study at the Cracow University of Technology on a daily basis, but for the summer semester they transferred to one of the best architecture departments in Asia. Why did they choose NUS in particular? What captivated them about Singapore - a city-state that in just a few decades has transformed itself into a global center of innovation and sustainable development?

Singapore is not just the backdrop of this story - it is the protagonist. Ola and Natalia share their admiration for thoughtful urban planning, dense greenery and a culture of respect for space that shapes the way we design. They also talk about how living in the tropics influences their perspective on sustainability, climate and.... everyday clothing.

studying in a different style

We devote a large part of the conversation to the differences between studying architecture in Poland and Singapore. Smaller groups, more freedom to choose subjects, longer design sessions once a week and direct, collegial contact with instructors are just some of the elements that impressed them.

The girls also talk about the unusual academic calendar, reading weeks, and what it's like to present a final project at NUS - with a mock-up, review and.... considerable stress.

An experience that opens eyes (and heads)

Staying in Singapore is not just about learning. Ola and Natalia talk about life on campus, the opportunities offered by the university and the... lack of time to explore the entire city. They share their reflection that an academic exchange is not just a new place on the CV map, but real personal development - an opportunity to explore one's own boundaries, plans and goals for the future.

Aleksandra Skorupa

Maria Cipinska

Listen also to other podcasts
from the "Foundations" series:

1. Maciej Czekański ostażu wbureau APA Wojciechowski in Warsaw

2. Lukasz Danilczuk ostudy of architecture in Brussels, Budapest and Warsaw

3. Magdalena Raźny on her stay at the Bella Interior University in Covilhi

4. Julia Supeł on combining architecture and construction studies, designing on Mars and in Iceland

5. Aleksandra Magiera and Adam Stalica about internships abroad, post-industrial architecture and discovering their own professional paths

6. Marcelina Rojkowska on art studies, the job market and balancing passion and reality

7. Aleksandra Boszke on studying abroad, cultural differences and courage in space design

8. From Gliwice to Horsens - about technical, sustainable and flexible architecture. Erasmus through the eyes of Magdalena Majsak

9. "Interior design is it" - Julia Chomiczewska about studying interior architecture at Poznan University of Technology.

10. Body, material, emotion. How does Mikolaj Hewelt design spaces that touch?

11. What is architecture if not emotions? Kacper Bernat on the challenges of studying and working as an architect

12. Studying architecture in China - Aleksandra Debicka on living and studying in Guangzhou