Each trip brings us new personal and professional experiences, and allows us to look at the world from a different perspective. This is possible when we are hungry for knowledge, inspirations and we enjoy the atmosphere of beautiful spaces. When presented with the possibility of traveling to unique places, to get associated with the world of which you are a part, then our dreams come true.
Such dreams were realized by our TDA 2020 competition winner Wiktoria Sawicka, who came first in the category Young Power.
– What are your impressions and reflections after your internship in Martin Duplantiers Architects studio in Paris?
– The internship in Martin Duplantiers Architects studio in Paris was a wonderful occasion to work in one of the best architectural offices in Europe, known from, among others, the bridges and pavilions for the Chinese National Park “Illusionist” or the sports complex in Bussy Saint Georges. The office is located in the heart of Paris and has a unique atmosphere, which is created by ambitious and creative architects. It was a true pleasure to get to know them, work with them and learn from them.
– What did you learn during your internship? What was the largest challenge?
– I worked on the winning project for an office building in Vitry near Paris. That was a big challenge for me, because I had never participated in the design of an office building before. The challenge was caused by the close vicinity of the building to the railway and the cultural-artistic center for the inhabitants, that was to bring style to the surroundings. An intriguing experience was also to compare the Polish and French building regulations- one could truly understand them by exploring the differences between them.
– What was the most important or inspiring lesson you learnt from working in such a place?
– Surely, the most fascinating thing for me was the multicultural environment in the studio of Martin Duplantier Architects. Just working in Paris with the French was a completely different experience from working in a studio in Poland. The travel to work at 9 in a full metro, joint lunch with all Parisians at 13, when all cafes are filled for an hour or two, the omnipresent espresso, cigarettes and “Bonjour”. In the office were also people from Russia, Italy, Romania and other places, which gave me a chance to learn about their culture, too.
– Paris – a city full of architecture and inspirations for interior design. Share with us how your stay in this city affects your future creations.
– They say you either love or hate Paris. Me, for sure I fell in love with her and I saw the huge advantages of living in the capitol of culture and art, with its multiplicity of museums, wonderful architecture, fashion… Inspirations can be found on every corner. I brought home lots of pictures, ideas and inspirations… but I also learnt much about art, architecture and designing. Being there and taking in the atmosphere is a completely different experience from reading about interiors, buildings and public spaces.
– What was your inspiration for the project you sent in to the Tubądzin Design Awards? What is most important in this space that was selected and awarded by the international jury?
– The most important element in the space of the designed pre-school is supporting the development of the senses: sight, sound, touch, taste, balance and perception. This is why I proposed 4 sensory rooms (for 4 pre-school groups), each of which focuses on supporting the development of different senses. The room for colour identification is based on the colour theory by Rudolf Steiner, the creator of Waldorf education. The pastel coloured interior works calming, giving children a sense of safety and “internal experiences of light and warmth”.
The building shaped as the sign of infinity would provide the children with openness and safety. Infinity would not be artificial since the building would have sliding glass doors on the inside, allowing the children free movement, which, thanks to the open internal communication provides infinity on the inside, too. The satisfaction of the children’s need to move was one of the key aspects of this project.
– Please, share with our community, if you think they should take part in the next edition of the Tubądzin Design Awards. What are the advantages for a student taking part in an international competition?
– Absolutely, I recommend anyone taking part in the Tubądzin Design Awards. I still remember the final Gala- it was a fantastic experience with great emotions. More about the final Gala of TDA can be found under News. The main prize- an internship with an architect studio in Paris was the best experience of my life.
– What challenges are you as a young architect looking in the field of architecture?
– Certainly the biggest challenge for me is balanced designing, which means, ecological design, harmless to the environment, responsible for the future generations.
– If right now we could transfer ourselves to a well designed space, which place on earth, public space or building would you choose? Is that a space in which you feel good?
– That’s a difficult question to answer, because well designed spaces are those that I am not aware of, because I function well in them. But I remember how well I felt in the parks in Paris, e.g. the Tuileries Gardens or the Luxemburg Gardens. Close to the office we had Parc de Belleville and a pocket sized park Square du Sergent Aurélie Salel, in which one can enjoy lunch or stoll around during breaks from work. The multitude of green places offered a relief from the hustle and bustle of the city as well as contact with nature. In the larger parks you can find green metal chairs, which you can take and sit wherever you want. This way, you can read a book in a shaded place or sit together with friends or sit in the sun next to a fountain. The parks are beautiful and well looked after and take you to another era.
– Have you already chosen in which direction you would like to develop yourself in architecture? Has the internship in Paris helped you with that decision?
– Architecture allows for so many possibilities of development, that for sure I don’t want to limit myself to one area, but rather try new things all the time. The Tubądzin Design Awards competition opened my doors to a fascinating world of interior architecture, that I wish to explore further.
Wiktoria Sawicka – Architect, winner of the Young Power category of the Tubądzin Design Awards 2020, graduate from the Wrocław Politechnic Department of Architecture. Is interested in interior design, balanced design and all innovations in architecture. Is fascinated by psychology and socio-psychological aspects in architecture. Enjoys joga and reads a lot.
