Can architecture be honest, sincere and at the same time ambitious, and at the same time not lose its meaning in the clash with the realities of the market, investors and the pace of modern life? During two December meetings at the architecture departments of Cracow University of Technology and Silesian University of Technology, Robert Konieczny from the KWK Promes studio spoke about this without pathos, but with great sincerity and the experience of a man who for years has been building his own path, not looking at schemes. Both events brought together full rooms of male and female students and lecturers, and the atmosphere of the talk quickly went beyond the usual lecture. It was lively, at times very personal, but above all authentic.
Robert Konieczny during a lecture at the Cracow University of Technology
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road to the profession and mindfulness at work
In Krakow and Gliwice, Robert Konieczny talked about his daily practice, drawing attention to the importance of attentiveness in architecture. He argued that a good project begins not with a dash, but with questions: why are we doing it, for whom and in what context. He stressed that success in the architectural profession requires a combination of ambition, courage and honesty with oneself and the client.
He mentioned the importance of time-space for design, talking about how at KWK Promes they make sure to have the right number of hours and days for concept development, not just quick tick-off tasks. Konieczny pointed out that cost optimization or quick execution cannot be an end in itself, otherwise the quality and sense of architecture suffers.
A full house at the Cracow University of Technology
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failures and difficult experiences
Robert Konieczny did not shy away from talking about the mistakes and failures that have accompanied his career. In Gliwice he recalled situations from his first projects, when difficulties with clients and investors' expectations were a real challenge for him. He stressed that sometimes you have to say no to a project if it would mean compromising with your own principles.
Sometimes you have to lose a project in order not to lose the point, he said, adding that being aware of one's own boundaries is crucial to maintaining the quality of work and one's own integrity.
He also cited an example of an assignment from a client that did not agree with his aesthetics. So the architect decided not to accept the order in that form and passed it on to another architect. In doing so, he showed that honesty with himself and the project is as important as client satisfaction.
A full house at the Cracow University of Technology
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inspiration, school and conceptualism
During both lectures, the architect shared personal experiences from his time as a student at the Silesian University of Technology. He spoke about the importance of freeing oneself from formal constraints, keeping a wide range of tools and possibilities in design, and that conceptualism in architecture knows no national boundaries, although it is connected to the personal history of the creator.
He recalled his Italian roots, which he admitted were a curiosity, but his real talent and technique came from his Silesian school experience and practice in Poland. He stressed that architecture is not just walls and windows, but the space between them and the social and cultural context.
A joint photo at the Cracow University of Technology
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anecdotes and creative challenges
There were also colorful stories from working on specific projects. Robert Konieczny spoke about how seemingly absurd customer requirements often lead to the best solutions.
Even the most bizarre wishes trigger creativity, he explained in Gliwice. - Sometimes you have to do something completely illogical to arrive at the best design.
In Krakow, he also cited the story of a house on the river, where changing the level of one room allowed for a better view and functionality of the entire building. He stressed that architecture requires constant improvisation and courage.
male and female students of the Silesian University of Technology
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student questions and reflections on the profession
Both meetings ended with question sessions. Male and female students asked, among other questions:
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How not to lose yourself in a clash with an investor?
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Is it possible to design responsibly and ambitiously at the same time?
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How to cope with stress and market demands?
Robert Konieczny answered openly, often citing his own experience:
If you are not convinced about a project yourself, you will not convince anyone else. You need to have courage and awareness of your own limits. Otherwise it is easy to lose the sense of work.
There was also talk about technology and the future of the profession: artificial intelligence is a tool that can speed up the trivial or give time for reflection. How we use it will determine the value of our work.
student question at the Cracow University of Technology
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The message of the lectures
Robert Konieczny repeatedly stressed that honesty towards the project and oneself, creativity in the face of limitations and attentiveness to context are the foundations that determine the quality of architecture. Meetings in Krakow and Gliwice showed that the architectural profession is not only about designing buildings, but also about constant work on oneself and awareness of the consequences of one's decisions.
A question from a student at the Silesian University of Technology
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As the architect said: a job well done is the basis of everything. The rest - awards, admiration, recognition - comes on its own.
Aleksandra Skorupa
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Lecture partners were:
The content partners of the lectures are:
- Faculty of Architecture, Cracow University of Technology
- Faculty of Architecture of the Silesian University of Technology
Patronage:
- SARP Krakow Branch
