Re:Form - New Life for Old Spaces competition 3rd Prize winners - Damian Świerzbiński and Kamila Jagieniak

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the 3rd Prize winners of our Re:Form - New Life for Old Spaces competition – Damian Świerzbiński and Kamila Jagieniak from Poland!

Damian Świerzbiński and Kamila Jagieniak

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.

We are a young team of architecture students and emerging designers based in Poland. Our background lies at the intersection of academia and practice – we are currently developing our skills through studies, independent explorations, and competitions. While not yet a formal company, we treat every project as a chance to build a professional attitude, to test ideas against real contexts, and to define our own design language.

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?

So far, we have explored projects ranging from small-scale design objects and pavilions to conceptual re-use of large industrial structures. Our focus has often been on narratives – creating architecture that is not only functional, but also symbolic and critical, addressing cultural, ecological, and historical layers of place. Competitions and academic projects have allowed us to experiment with both temporary interventions and long-term visions.

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

For us, architecture is a tool of reflection as much as it is a tool of construction. It can give form not only to spaces, but also to collective memory, values, and choices. In society, the architect is not just a provider of buildings, but a mediator between people, environment, and time. The role involves responsibility – to design with awareness of heritage, ecological challenges, and the need for spaces that nurture rather than consume.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

Competitions provide us with the freedom to think boldly and to test ideas that may not yet have a place in everyday commissions. They are laboratories where creativity meets discipline, and where young voices can be heard on an international stage. For us, they are also a way of learning—by pushing our limits, comparing our work with others, and engaging in the current discourses that shape architecture globally.

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

We would say: try at least once. Competitions are not only about winning – they are about practice, exploration, and growth. Even if you don’t achieve recognition, the process itself sharpens your skills, deepens your perspective, and gives you material for your portfolio and your personal development. The key is to treat it as a journey of learning and self-expression, not only as a result-oriented task.