Six architects and architects from Poland have made it to the prestigious European 40 under 40 list! The European Center for Architecture, Design and Urban Studies, in cooperation with the Museum of Architecture and Design - Chicago Athenaeum, has once again selected the most interesting and promising designers before the "40". Who is in this elite group this time?
The Europe 40 under 40 list identifies the rising stars on the European architectural scene. The international jury, which this year was co-founded by William Yon, Christine Kwong, António Choupina and Olivia Argentini, evaluates the achievements of young architects based on the projects attached to the submitted applications. There is a fee to participate in the competition, and each time it results in a list of the 40 most promising male and female architects under the age of 40. In 2026 the list included designers from Belgium, Cyprus, France, Greece, Portugal or Turkey, among others. But that's not all - in this year's edition as many as six architects and female architects from Poland made it to the prestigious group! Who are the best young designers in our country?
Kamil Cierpiol
Photo: Andrzej Luda
Kamil Cierpioł - VERSO group
Kamil Cierpioł, born in 1986, privately a husband and father of three and a lover of DIY projects and model building, graduated from the Faculty of Architecture at the Silesian University of Technology in Gliwice. His diploma thesis, dedicated to social buildings for disaster victims on the site of the old tannery in Mochali, was awarded as one of the 10 best projects of 2011 in the prestigious competition for the Prof. Zygmunt Majchal Award. Since 2013, together with Jakub Cieslik, he has been running the Verso Group studio in Częstochowa, whose activities are based on four pillars: Architecture, Housing, General Contracting and Drawing School. The studio's team is made up of both young architects and experienced constructors and engineers, who together lead investments and supervise the construction process.
Oaza House in Częstochowa
design: Verso Group, photo: Piotr Markowski
The jury of the Europe 40 under 40 list singled out three projects on which Kamil Cierpiol worked: the YcF flying center in Strykow, the concept for revitalizing Plac Bieganski in Czestochowa, and the Burnt House in Jozefow. Single-family houses are an important part of the Verso Group's oeuvre - noteworthy projects include the Oaza House in Częstochowa and the House between the Trees in Olsztyn, Małopolska.
Grzegorz Kłoda
photo courtesy of the architect
Grzegorz Kloda - GK-Atelier
Grzegorz Kloda is an architect, interior designer and founder of the GK-Atelier studio, operating since 2016. He specializes in designing modern libraries, participating in their creation as a designer, theorist and educator. He is a pioneer of parametric design in Poland, using advanced computational methods to create innovative spatial systems, including in historical spaces.Grzegorz Kloda is an international consultant in library architecture, working with national libraries and cultural institutions throughout Europe and beyond - including in Southeast Asia, including Kuala Lumpur.
Metroteka in Warsaw
proj.: GK-Atelier © Targówek District Public Library of the City of Warsaw.
I believe that the idea of the third place should be an obligatory inspiration in the design of all public spaces, even those related to administration or health care. Everything that surrounds us is naturally subject to change whether we want it or not. Architecture has it that it very easily duplicates and perpetuates unnecessary patterns and stereotypes. Especially public architecture, unfortunately.
- Grzegorz Kłoda said in an interview with Wiktor Bochenek.
Lower Silesian Public Library in Wroclaw
design: GK-Atelier photo: Wojciech Januszewski, Tutek Media
His interdisciplinary approach encompasses architecture, interiors and original furniture and lighting designs, and he remains a strong advocate of libraries and reading culture as key elements of modern society. Grzegorz Kloda does not limit his work to one type of facility - he is an expert in contemporary public spaces, and his portfolio includes highly regarded reinterpretations of funerary architecture and educational environments.
Trivera wall lamp
design: GK-Atelier, photo: Filip Trec
The Europe 40 under 40 list lists among Grzegorz Kloda's most interesting realizations the Trivera lighting collection, as well as two libraries designed using parametric technology - Metroteka in Targówek, Warsaw, and the interiors of the Lower Silesia Public Library.
Pawel Kobierzewski
photo: press materials
Paweł Kobierzewski - TKHolding
Paweł Kobierzewski graduated from the Architecture Department of the Silesian University of Technology in 2010, where he still teaches classes on information flow in the design process, and is also active in digital media as co-founder of the #prowadzacarchitekture channel on YouTube. He is the author of numerous recreational buildings, and co-founder of the TKHolding studio and DreamWorlds. Privately, he is passionate about modern technology, freehand drawing and skiing.
Elementary School No. 17 in Ruda Śląska
proj.: TKHolding
He made it to the Europe 40 under 40 list with his projects for the SOL@RES sports and recreation park in Rzeszow, Elementary School No. 17 in Ruda Sl aska and the Water Park in Stalowa Wola, among others.
Alicja Kubicka
photo from the archives of the architect
Alicja Kubicka - Interplay Architects
Alicja Kubicka gained professional experience in renowned international architectural offices, such as Kengo Kuma & Associates, Wilmotte & Associés and Mesura, participating in theprojects of high complexity and varying scales, including the Strasbourg Exhibition Centre, the Aurore "1 Hotels" hotel in Paris, and the modernization of the INSEAD campus in Fontainebleau.
Design of the Health Tech Synergy Hub building of the Wrocław University of Technology.
proj.: Interplay Architects, VAÍLLO IRIGARAY Y ASOCIADOS
Her architectural practice, developed within Interplay Architects, the studio she co-founded, is based on the belief that architecture should be the result of collaboration, experimentation and trust. She designs in dialogue with context, cultural memory and place, treating architecture as a medium that connects people, disciplines and experiences.
The Polish Pavilion at EXPO 2026 in Osaka
pro: Interplay Architects photo: Fernando Guerra
She is co-author of the concept for the Polish Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka and the Health Tech Synergy Hub at the Wrocław University of Technology, The 40 under 40 list jury also appreciated the competition design of the permanent exhibition at the Poznań City Hall, which Alicja Kubicka co-authored.
Maksymilian Sawicki
Photo: Studio Istad
Maksymilian Sawicki - Office Inainn
Maksymilian Sawicki is an architect, artist and founder of Office Inainn, a studio operating in Norway and Poland. His work includes residential, hotel and commercial projects. When designing, he places particular emphasis on spaces shaped by material clarity and a strong relationship with the context. Founded in 2020, Office Inainn designs spaces characterized by restraint and sensitivity to the landscape and existing buildings.
HG_33 house
Courtesy of OFFICE INAINN studio (photo: Studio Istad)
Drawing on artistic practice and research, the studio sees architecture as "a precise intervention and dialogue with landscape, structure and material." Maximilian Sawicki's work combines Nordic and Central European perspectives, juxtaposing local specifics with a sophisticated architectural language.
visualization of the HN house
courtesy of OFFICE INAINN studio
mockup of the HN house
courtesy of OFFICE INAINN studio
Although Maksymilian Sawicki received his education in Poland, he made the Europe 40 under 40 list thanks to, among other things, three projects created in Norway - the jury singled out Modo Store in Ålesund, the adaptation of an outbuilding into a Nikkaskjøkken restaurant, and a holiday home in the Valldal valley.
Przemyslaw Sokolowski
Photo: courtesy of the architect
Przemyslaw Sokolowski - PSBA
Przemysław Sokołowski received his education at the Faculty of Architecture at the Silesian University of Technology in Gliwice. Since 2016, he has been a member of the Chamber of Architects of the Republic of Poland. In the same year, he founded his own architectural studio PSBA in Kielce, which is engaged in designing residential, commercial and public buildings, as well as public spaces.
Water Sports Center in Augustow
design: PSBA, photo: Bartosz Dworski
An important part of his practice is cooperation with other studios - for several years he has been working closely with the Inooni office, with which he has jointly participated in numerous architectural competitions. It is thanks to winning architectural competitions that he has completed his most important projects, also appreciated by the jury of the Europe 40 under 40 list - the Water Sports Center in Augustow, the expansion of the Cultural Center in Wloszczow, the Ognisko Pracy Pozaszkolnej in Mikolow and the municipal park in Szydlowo.
Poland on the 40 under 40 list
Six of Poland's most promising architects and architects will join the growing group of designers from our country on the 40 under 40 list, so far including Roman Rutkowski, Tomasz Konior and Robert Konieczny.
