Congratulations to Szymon Jackowski - Winner of the Environmental Diploma Competition | The Faculty of Architecture at the Gdańsk University of Technology

Congratulations to Szymon Jackowski!

We are delighted to announce that our graduate, Szymon Jackowski, has won first place in the national environmental diploma competition organized by the Faculty of Architecture at the Warsaw University of Technology. His thesis is entitled: "Mitigating the Effects of Anthropopressure. The Institute of Environmental Contamination Research on the Phosphogypsum Heap in Wiślinka near Gdańsk." The thesis was supervised by Katarzyna Zielonko-Jung.

Inspiration and Project Goal

The inspiration for this research topic was the issue of waste storage resulting from the chemical industry. The chosen location – the disused phosphogypsum heap in Wiślinka near Gdańsk – served as an excellent basis for the project. Phosphogypsum, a by-product of the wet process for producing phosphoric acid used in fertilizer production, may contain radioactive elements and heavy metals, which hinder its reuse.

Urban and Architectural Scale Project

In response to these challenges, the project proposes the creation of a multi-element waste treatment plant using phytoremediation – the natural ability of certain plants to accumulate harmful elements. Architecturally, the project focuses on a model research center aimed at developing new, more efficient phytoremediation methods.

Institute Structure

The proposed Institute is divided into 9 sectors, each representing a step in the process of cleaning phosphogypsum using plants, and ultimately recovering valuable elements from the biomass. The purified phosphogypsum could be reused in construction, while the recovered elements could support the high-tech industry.

Sustainable Solutions

The project features modularity and flexibility, allowing for modifications as needed. It also employs low-carbon materials and eco-friendly installations, such as solar panels, green roofs, and greywater recycling systems. The Institute is designed to expand gradually, increasing its capacity as more substances require phytoremediation. At the urban scale, the use of oils, gases, and coals from biomass pyrolysis is proposed as an additional source of thermal and electrical energy.

Key Thought of the Project

The core idea of the project emphasizes that limiting environmental destruction is an important but insufficient step. Remedial actions are also necessary to minimize already inflicted damage.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Szymon Jackowski on this outstanding achievement and wish him continued success in the future!