The organisers of the Architecture Biennale and the Polish House in Novosibirsk invited Konrad Karmański, architect of the Tubądzin brand, and Robert Sobański, PhD, Engineer of Architecture to present the idea of “carpets” for entrance gates as an idea for original signage in public spaces. During the lecture to over 100 designers, the speakers presented the issues of design solutions in gate clearances at Piotrkowska Street in Łódź, as well as provided some information on current investments closely related to the broadly understood revitalisation of the city.

As part of the Element Urban Talks conference, created by Agata Bisping and programme director Zuzanna Skalska, a workshop for designers was conducted by the architects of the Tubądzin brand − Konrad Karmański and Tomasz Smus. The theme of this edition of The Element Urban Talks was RESPONSIBILITY. During their presentations, the speakers proved that socially responsible design is possible, giving specific examples how to design in spite of difficulties and how to turn ideas into real actions.

It was ‘right up our alley’: striving against difficulties to implement an idea, thinking about the possible economic benefits for the city − about increasing the revenues from tourism with the original arrangement of gate clearances − we definitely fit in the subject of the conference. During the workshop, the participants worked in groups on concepts for gate clearances, after a brief lecture.

On 7-8 March in Siofok, located on the shore of Lake Balaton, within framework of Tubądzin Academy, a workshop on trends in interior design was held. During the meeting, the participants got acquainted with a number of presentations on the directions and trends in interior space and took part in two competitions. The first one was to design tiles dedicated to customers on the Hungarian market, and the other to create fashion inspired by the Tubądzin collections.

We also discussed topics related to decision-making styles and customer needs, the factors that determine good cooperation between architects and customers. We had the pleasure to present new products. These collections became a tool at the workshop to design interiors in line with Hungarian market expectations. And the presented products were subjected to brainstorms in terms of their adequacy, changes and suggestions in terms of texture, colour or format.

The workshop showed a palette of creative ideas, expectations and needs of the market of Hungarian designers. The works were evaluated by a panel of jurors consisting of representatives of the Hungarian and Polish groups. The event was crowned with a summary and granting of awards. And as always in an excellent atmosphere.

The event was organised for one hundred guests in cooperation with Tubądzin’s local business partner − Keramitalia. It was the first in a series of three meetings during which participants went through a multi-stage development programme ending with the certification of their competences. Similar programmes were implemented with other trading partners such as Matyó és Takács and Kerko in cooperation with the Association of Hungarian Architects LOSZ.

On 6 February, during one of the most important events devoted to design in this part of Europe, the Tubądzin Group and Grohe co-organised a panel entitled “Good practices in projects of the future: architect, customer, product, people’s needs, #wellbeing, #nature, #future.” Tubądzin was represented by Ewa Kryszkiewicz, Development and Cooperation with Architects Manager, and Konrad Karmanski, architect at the Tubądzin Group. On behalf of Grohe Cezary Kowalczyk, Project Sales Director spoke and Robert Majkut, owner of Robert Majkut Design.

The times when the architect was merely a service contractor and followed the customer’s vision are gone forever. The value economy is becoming more and more recognised and stronger, and companies base their marketing strategies on design and project thinking. All the panellists agreed that the young generation is much more aware of the challenges and tasks posed by the planet and accelerating consumerism, and that education from an early age is the key to future success.

Ceramika Tubądzin has been sharing its knowledge and experience with students of Polish universities for many years. Therefore, on November 28, it organised the Meeting of Innovation and Design at the Faculty of Architecture of the Silesian University of Technology. A group of 75 participants learned the latest trends in fittings and interior design, and took part in a creative competition entitled “Design the interior of the future − inspire us.”

The main prizes in the form of graphic tablets and a trip to a two-day meeting as part of the T-Academy to the most modern Ceramika Tubądzin factory. Patronage over the event was taken care of by Klaudiusz Fross, PhD, Engineer of Architecture − Dean of the Faculty of Architecture. The Meeting of Innovation and Design was also attended by the CEO of Tubądzin, Miroslaw Jędrzejczyk.

The next point on the map of the “Meetings of Innovation and Design” dedicated to students was the Ural Federal University, the largest university in the Russian Federation.

The workshop programme for university students included a number of thematic presentations, important from the perspective of their future work and technological, business and personal development, as well as knowledge about design.

The group of speakers delivering lectures and workshops were accompanied by lecturers and mentors from the Ural University.

This unique and remarkable University educates young generations in a very efficient manner. The students’ skills delighted us enormously, the precision, technological knowledge, and the ability to coordinate space and movement were evident in the prepared graphic works.

We exchanged experiences and listened to the needs. The result of this meeting is to continue working with selected people and their participation in our international competition for architects.

In 2008, the Tubądzin Academy was launched. In a very unusual way for a manufacturer dedicating knowledge outside the organisation, the Tubądzin Group launched a series of workshops aimed at supporting business partners, and the community of architects and designers in the everyday building their own business.

The Tubądzin Group, as a business partner aware of the needs, went beyond the provision of product knowledge. The topics of practical workshops included business psychology, design, technological aspects − not only related to Tubądzin products, and changing social and industrial conditions.

Competences and their skilful use are the basis for personal effectiveness. This is the most difficult area of development, particularly in view of the multithreading of daily professional tasks. Each

programme is tailored to the audience and topics are selected according to the latest knowledge. For the sake of a good atmosphere and high motivation to full activity during the workshops, we make sure that each participant is also their co-creator. Hence the high ratings of our programmes due to their significant personal and professional usability. The climate during the workshops provides positive emotions.

In the years 2008-2014 we carried out 56 workshops per year. This provides a community of several thousand students.