Architecture Competition SKYHIVE Skyscraper Challenge #5 Honorable mention – Piotr Rajewski and Kinga Gawlik

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to one of our Honorable mention winners for our "SKYHIVE Skyscraper Challenge #5" competition – Piotr Rajewski and Kinga Gawlik from Poland!

Piotr Rajewski and Kinga Gawlik from Poland

We’ve started working as a team at the university (West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin), so over the years we’ve already gained some honorable mentions in various international competitions and the BB Student Award for Well-Balanced Pavilion in Abu Dhabi Flamingo Visitor Center competition. What is more important, the Nomad Unite as our Master's Thesis is the first ever project that we designed completely remotely, due to Covid restrictions, in Szczecin and Warsaw. Now we both keep gaining experience in architectural studios.

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?

Back in the university and now for architectural competitions, we usually choose large objects with public functions. Our favorite project so far was Abu Dhabi Flamingo Visitor Center, called Well-balanced, for which we received the BB Student Award.

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

Architecture for us is an inseparable element of life. The architecture that surrounds us has an impact on our life and its quality. Architecture accompanies us on our daily way to work, at work and during leisure. It has an impact on how we feel and shapes social behavior. The role of the architect in Polish society is still underestimated. However, we feel an inner mission to increase the sensitivity and understanding of space by society. We fulfill our educational role through social consultations or architectural events organized by the Polish Association of Architects (SARP).

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

This is a chance to create an interesting concept not defined by money. And besides, this is a good opportunity to present our solutions to the many problems with which the world today is measured. Especially as young architects - it’s important to talk if you want to be heard.

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

Do not struggle, it’s always worth the trouble. Even if you don’t win the prize, you’ll gain a lot of new skills and experience that may bring you many benefits in future projects or competitions.