Architecture Competition Vale De Moses Meditation Cabins Client’s Favorite - Ewa Bartecka, Michal Bartecki and Jan Nowakowski

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the Client’s Favorite winners of our “Vale De Moses Meditation Cabins” competition - Ewa Bartecka, Michal Bartecki and Jan Nowakowski from the United Kingdom!

Michal Bartecki, Ewa Bartecka and Jan Nowakowski from United Kingdom

The three of us graduated from different universities in Poland (Wrocław and Gdansk Universities of Technology) and our paths crossed in search of professional fulfillment in London.

Jan and Michal work for Arqui9, an architectural visualisation studio. Ewa works as an architectural assistant at Foster+Partners. We also happen to be housemates, provided with a unique experience of living and working together during the pandemic. As challenging as it was, it definitely brought us closer together.

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?

Jan and Michal have a wide experience in presenting and envisioning architectural ideas, varying from imagery of interior spaces to animations of large scale master plan projects. Understanding the values of architecture and bringing them closer to a wider range of audiences is the core of their everyday work. Ewa is gaining valuable experience working on large scale projects across the world. She works with interdisciplinary teams on a day-to-day basis to help create impactful and thoroughgoing architectural designs.

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

Architecture could be seen as a tool to fulfil human needs. In that, it should not be seen purely as utilitarian means to fulfil physiological needs, but also those of beauty, community, survival and advancement. The architect's task should be to understand those needs, as well as the conditions of the surroundings and context, and aim to respond to them in the best possible way.

Why do you participate in architecture vision competitions?

Architecture competitions are fantastic thought exercises that help verify the understanding of the aforementioned criteria. Since they attract a lot of talent and ambition, they expand what we know about architecture and its impact.

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

One of the best ways of learning is through challenging oneself and competing against others. The task of coming up with an idea or an invention is also a great way to boost creativity.