Architecture Competition Rammed Earth Pavilion Honorable mention winner - Mateusz Dziuba

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to one of our Honorable mention winner for our "Rammed Earth Pavilion" competition – Mateusz Dziuba from Italy!

Mateusz Dziuba from Italy

I am an architect and designer with passion for visualizations. I was born in 1999 in Cracow, Poland. In 2022, I graduated bachelor of Architecture and Urban Design at the Faculty of Architecture of the Cracow University of Technology. From September of 2022 I am studying Architecture, Built Environment, Interiors at Politecnico di Milano. Since 2021 I gained experience in architectural firms working on commercial and residential projects.

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?

In my projects, through the expression of the architectural form, the selection of appropriate materials and the building's correlation with the identity and context of the place, I am responding to the contemporary challenges and needs of the area. In the design process, I pay special attention to improving the quality of space and activating local communities.

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

Architecture for me is form of art between engineering and design, responsible for shaping our environment and influencing our daily lives, from the buildings we live and work in to the public spaces we gather in. Nowadays more than ever architecture is necessary in human lives to create places with attention to location context, social issues and environmental changes.

The role of architects in society is multidimensional. On a practical level, architects working with engineers and technical experts are responsible for designing buildings and structures that are safe, efficient, and sustainable. Architects must also take into account the social, cultural, and economic context of a project, as well as the needs and desires of the users of designed space. They must also work within the regulations and codes to meet legal standards. In this sense, architects are not just designers, but also agents of change who can help shape a more equitable and sustainable future for all.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

I participate in architecture competitions since the first year of my university. For me it is a way of challenging myself as an architect. Competitions provide me an opportunity to explore new design ideas and push boundaries beyond the constraints of a typical project. Additionally, participating in competitions is my way to engage and learn from architecture community.

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

For me participating in the architectural competitions is always beneficial whether or not your skills match the competitors level. When I first started joining competitions I was at my first year of university. My knowledge about architecture, my design and presentation skills were really insufficient. I lost multiple competitions at that time but through challenging myself with different and new competitions I was able to develop my skills and improve my designs. Studying winning projects helped me to understood why are they good and what my projects are lacking. With time my design level improved and my projects got appreciated more by the jury. I believe that one can only learn through the process of architectural competitions.