Architectural Competition Results | The Faculty of Architecture at the Gdańsk University of Technology

On March 26th, Tuesday, the winners of the architectural competition for first-semester master's students at the Faculty of Architecture of the Gdańsk University of Technology were announced. This was the fifteenth edition of the competition, organized by the Gdańsk City Office in cooperation with the Gdańsk University of Technology.

The aim of this edition was to explore interactions between urban spaces and to design connections between the Old Town and the Gasworks area, as well as to develop external links between the competition area and places like the Imperial Shipyard, Doki, Brabank, and Chlebowa districts. Participants were tasked with developing innovative concepts for the development of this area, both in terms of urban planning and architecture.

A total of 19 design teams participated in the competition. The jury consisted of:

Prof. Ewa Kuryłowicz
Prof. Magdalena Staniszkis
Prof. Katarzyna Zielonko-Jung, chair of the jury
Prof. Antoni Taraszkiewicz
Prof. Wojciech Targowski

Awards in the competition
The jury decided to award one main prize of 12,000 PLN, with no second prize awarded. Two equivalent third prizes, each worth 6,000 PLN, were distributed, and two distinctions of 3,000 PLN each were also awarded.

FIRST PRIZE – project "MEMORY GARDENS" no. 11
The winning project by the team consisting of Julia Krukowska, Paulina Barańska, Natalia Kwidzińska, and Valeriia Rusnak focuses not only on urban renewal and facilitating mobility through modern communication solutions. Its key aspect is also the creation of urban communities through the establishment of spiritual spaces, which is a challenging task. The project presented in work no. 11 transforms these ideas into a practical tool for integrating communities and building human connections.

THIRD PRIZE (equal) – project "DOOKOŁA" no. 3
The project developed by the team of Oliwia Hauchszulz, Marcin Owczarek, and Jan Lefanczyk stands out in the competition for its urban solutions. The main strengths of the project are a clear and thoughtful connection of new pedestrian and vehicular routes with the existing communication infrastructure, effective integration with key elements of the surrounding space, including the Museum of the Second World War. It also features an innovative approach to designing waterfront public spaces, with a boulevard along the Motława River, and harmonious and consistent architecture adapted to the character of the surroundings.

THIRD PRIZE (equal) – project no. 5
The project by the team of Bogumiła Mączkowska, Michał Myka, and Wiktoria Piasta received positive feedback from the jury for its design approach. Key aspects of the work include the creation of a coherent, easily recognizable public space with extensive use of greenery. The project connects the waterfront of the Dead Vistula with the Radunia Canal and the square near the Polish Post building. The proposed urban layout allows access to the attractive waterfront from different directions, offering alternative pathways. The waterfront architecture is designed to frame the water space effectively and enable observation from deeper zones.

DISTINCTION – project "PRZEPŁYW" no. 6
The project by Martyna Maliszewska, Dominika Ochocińska, and Marta Stawska was distinguished for its in-depth and thoughtful approach to creating a district. The group's project focuses on implementing an egalitarian housing program, incorporating social infrastructure facilities and a local center, collectively fostering an environment conducive to meeting the needs and integrating the residents. Another advantage of the work is the clarity of the street network design, connecting the Radunia Canal with the waterfront of the Motława River, forming clearly defined urban blocks. However, the project could better highlight its spatial connection with the Museum of the Second World War.

DISTINCTION – project "7:10 SPOTKAJMY SIĘ" no. 16
The project by Wiktoria Przedpełska, Anna Czepil, and Aleksandra Pikur was particularly commended for its coherent spatial layout, effectively connecting the city with unique features of the environment, such as the water space of the Dead Vistula and the Motława River. The project's main axis leads to a logical culmination point at the waterfront. An additional value of the work is how it integrates new elements with the existing urban structure, continuing existing layouts, including secondary roads, passages, and view axes.

Student Contest
Architectural and urban planning competitions for students are part of the collaboration between the Gdańsk City Office and the Faculty of Architecture at the Gdańsk University of Technology. Each competition, despite its diverse themes, has a common goal: to deepen urban analysis that precedes investment actions in difficult urban areas. These competitions provide future architects with the opportunity to test their skills in solving real-world urban problems. For the city, as a co-organizer, these competitions are a source of insightful analyses and conclusions that can later be used to adjust their urban planning or investment strategies.