Kinderspace #3 competition Honorable mention winner - Julia Helena Sordyl

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the Honorable mention winner of our Kinderspace #3 competition – Julia Helena Sordyl from Poland!

Julia Helena Sordyl

Please tell us about your company (when it was founded, where it is based, how many employees, etc) Alternatively, if you do not have a company, please give us some insights on your own professional/academia background.

In 2026, I completed my Master’s degree at the Cracow University of Technology. I currently work in an architectural practice in Kraków, where I am involved in projects that address, among other things, the design of buildings within historic urban fabric as well as the challenges of contemporary architecture.

Brief information about the projects that you/your company have been involved with. For instance, what scale have you focused on/preferred, any significant projects where the company/ individuals have been Involved?

During my studies, I had the opportunity to design across a wide range of scales - from single-family houses to larger public buildings and large-scale residential developments. However, it was the design of educational facilities that truly captured my interest, which ultimately led me to take part in the KINDERSPACE competition.

What does architecture mean to you and what is the role of an architect in your society?

For me, architecture is a response to a problem that exists in a specific place — within a particular town or city and within a community that inhabits it. The role of the architect in addressing this problem is to create spaces that enable people to fully experience the world and one another. This requires acknowledging the various constraints present in a given location, including those arising from local governance and the values of the community, and transforming them into opportunities through design.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

I take part in architectural competitions because they allow me to test and develop the skills I acquired during my studies. The element of competition that naturally emerges in this context increases my motivation to pursue and refine my ideas. Unlike many standard design processes, competitions often encourage proposals that move beyond conventional frameworks and provide an opportunity for individual artistic expression. Furthermore, by participating in competitions and observing the design solutions proposed by other participants, I am able to revisit the subject from different perspectives — often equally valuable ones.

What advice would you give to individuals who struggle to decide whether it would be beneficial for them to participate in architecture competitions?

 Nothing ventured, nothing gained :)