Poland
Polish designs are beginning to be recognised during prestigious architecture competitions. Our architects engage in more and more collaborations with other artists or graphic designers. Apart from strictly architectural and urban projects,- we are expanding towards multimedia. More and more art projects serving as critical expressions about Polish space, and promoting our architecture abroad are being fulfilled.
For example, the building of the Małopolska Garden of Arts won the vote for the Building of the Year 2012 award and was in the top five of the Architizer A+ Awards competition. News about the new wing of the Raczyński Library by JEMS Architekci or Fala Park designed by the Poznań-based design agency PL Architekci have appeared on various European design websites. The City Marina in Bydgoszcz designed by APA Rokiccy received the “Polityka” award, and the Marina overlooking the Oder was named the best residential building in Wrocław, which will be the European Capital of Culture in 2016. The construction of the new seat of the Silesian Museum in Katowice has just been finished, a city which acquired millions of PLN from the EU for investments and which is a European leader in the number of infrastructural projects.
Ireland
In Northern Ireland, on the other hand, we can observe a cultural isolation and a lack of economic balance tainted by the Titanic tragedy, which is still being commemorated through new constructions.
Good architecture is rare and conservative. Repetitiveness of facade elements, details and plaster colours is a reflection of the monotonous work of the decision-makers.
Only Belfast stands out and keeps up with European trends in architecture. The city has much to offer and is the seat of numerous world-renowned design studios. The most important of those are McGarry-Moon Architects and TODD Architects.
Some examples of modern architecture from the past couple of years include the MAC Arts Centre in Belfast or Giant’s Causeway Visitor Centre, nominated for the prestigious RIBA Stirling Prize 2013 – the highest award for architecture in the United Kingdom.
Photo © Bartosz Makowski. Fala Park Sport Centre designed by the Poznań-based design agency PL Architekci.