portfolio by Karolina Staszewska

portfolio

Karolina Staszewska

I am a recent graduate of Architecture with a specialization in Heritage Protection. I approach each project with great sensitivity and an individualized perspective, focusing on how newly designed spaces will influence their surroundings and users—and how users, in turn, will shape these spaces. I strive to design in the spirit of sustainable architecture, valuing inclusiveness, environmental responsibility, and enhancing the unique character of each space. My goal is to harmonize thoughtful innovation with a deep understanding of the places and people my designs will serve. I am deeply committed to further developing my skills and growing within this field, embracing new challenges and opportunities to expand my expertise.

telefon: + 48 609 636 472 e-mail: karolina.marzena.staszewska@gmail.com

Professional experience

May 2022 - May 2023: Architecture studio Kuryłowicz & Associates Wrocław (work in BIM system, interdisciplinary coordination, concept, building, and executive projects, graphic development, preparation of documentation, competition)

August - September 2021: internship at ASA Architects (interior design, historical building inventory, façade design, capacity projects, visualizations)

October - December 2020: internship at Robak-Piasta Architects (office quiet capsule design, service concept projects)

September 2019: internship at the architectural studio Archicomp (interior design of a single-family house)

Education

2023-2024 Master of Architecture and Heritage Protection, Wrocław University of Science and Technology

September - January 2023 Exchange program CEU San Pablo University Madrid 2018-2022 Bachelor of Science in Architecture Wrocław University of Science and Technology

Programs

Autocad Archicad Revit Skech-up Rihno

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Indesign

Adobe Ilustrator Lumion Twinmoction

Languages

English-C1.1 Spanish-C1 Polish-native

Student Activities

March - August 2024: organization and participation in the international student workshops ProtoLab

March - May 2024: concept design for the interior of the student clubs’ headquarters at the university, submitted for further implementation

August 2023: international architectural student workshops Mood for Wood

2022-2024: activity in the article section of the student architectural magazine ’format E-1’

September 2022: volunteering for the construction of the SHS (Styrofoam Housing System) pavilion designed by Shigeru Ban

August 2022: winner of the international student competition ’Hotel de Arte’ with Sara Korżyńska

November 2021: urban student workshops ’Next Wave’ Habitat with Prof. Kees Christiaanse

March - October 2021: organization and graphic design of the OSSA nasze workshops

July 2021: participation in urban workshops during the construction festival led by Pronobis Studio

2020-2021: design and execution of the renovation of the broadcasting studio for student radio station Luz

July 2020: participation in the design and construction collective SPOT, as well as in participatory workshops

May 2019: organization of the Wrocław Night of Museums at the Architecture Museum in Wrocław

March 2019 - August 2024: activity in the Scientific Club for the Humanization of the Urban Environment

February - March 2019: project presented as part of the exhibition ’We Live on Water’ at the BWA Design Gallery

Hidden behind the wall artist co-housing

Madrid, Spain

Esta es una plaza is a unique place on the map of Madrid, located in the vibrant and artistic district of Lavapiés. A few years ago, social activists and local residents came together to create a community garden on an empty, degraded plot between buildings. Unfortunately, despite the residents’ efforts, the plot has deteriorated, yet it still retains its authentic vibe. The goal of the project was to design a small art gallery, an artistic workshop, and temporary housing units (based on co-housing principles and xx research) for artists on residencies lasting between 3 and 12 months. Given that the plot is bordered by a brick wall, I decided to extend the existing structure and design a very narrow yet functional building, exploring ways to create efficient spaces without relying on a long, monotonous corridor. This building divides the plot into an artistic agora, which also serves as a vestibule to a hidden garden, evoking the mysterious atmosphere of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden.

A secret community garden tucked behind a wall and a gate, with access granted only to those holding one of the 123 keys, making it unavailable to all residents

Creating a very narrow 6-meter-wide brick building, serving as an archetype of a wall, dividing the plot into two parts with different approaches: a secret garden and an art agora

Creating an opening in the wall on one side and a passage on the other side of the plot, which provides access from both sides of the plot despite the slope

Making access through the designed building to the part with the hidden garden, preserving its privacy, mystery, and safety while ensuring it remains accessible to all users

Keeping the structure of the long brick wall but incorporating an inner patio for better building ventilation during the summer season, reducing the need for technical ventilation.

View of the urban plaza, blending art and public life

View of the secret garden

View of the open auditorium

Longitudinal section

Ground floor

Cross section

View of the outdoor passage to the artist living spaces

Upper floors

Ursa Minor shelters beneath the starry sky

Bieszczady Mountains

The Bieszczady Mountains, known for their wilderness and minimal commercialization, boast some of the cleanest night skies, free from artificial light pollution. This makes the area a prime destination for star-gazing enthusiasts. However, there is a lack of structures that provide safe and comfortable spots for observing both the night sky and the surrounding wildlife from various locations along hiking trails. Another challenge is the lack of trail connections that would allow hikers to loop through routes, instead of having to retrace the same path in and out. The cabins are designed to be self-sufficient, relying on natural resources. Solar panels provide power, rainwater is purified to meet EU standards, and the structure is made from CLT, which is energy-efficient and heats up quickly. The cabins are also equipped with a wood stove that users must stoke themselves, while the building retains warmth through its own thermal mass, ensuring energy efficiency. - part of diploma -

Map of proposed cabins, their placement, distances between them, and existing trail routes

Cabin situated in a mountain hollow

Cabin situated on the highland meadows

The large common area serves as a space for rest and regeneration, facilitating interaction among different groups of hikers passing through the trail. It also offers a tranquil spot for solitary contemplation, with views of the landscape and the surrounding wildlife through the windows

The panels installed on the roof generate energy, allowing tourists to charge their electronic devices, such as phones and cameras

The structure is supported by four legs screwed into the ground, minimizing soil disruption and allowing wildlife to pass underneath

The roof surface collects rainwater, which is purified in the technical area, allowing it to be used for washing and drinking

The extensive glazing allows for observing both the starry sky and the surrounding wildlife around the cabins

View from the upper level under a starry sky

Model photograph

Cross section

In search of Genius Loci Spa House

Krynica Zdrój

The project presents a contemporary interpretation of the spa house and health resorts originating from the 19th century in the Lesser Poland region. Krynica-Zdrój is one of the most well-known spa towns, with its center consisting of a diverse range of wooden villas on one side of the river and larger buildings on the other. The design is divided into four above-ground wooden pavilions, each representing key elements of spa towns (brine wall, drinking hall, conservatory, and guesthouse with dining for local events), as well as an underground spa -a cave- hidden within the hillside, offering balneological treatments thanks to the unique properties of the local water. The project is based on the concept of of Hansen’s Open Form, biophilic design principles, and the movement and flow of both form and users. The design strikes a balance between uniform, standardized solutions and the imitation of local patterns, which could potentially diminish the authenticity of the place.

Charming, picturesque towns, admired for their aesthetic qualities, often face significant tourist pressure. This is accompanied by the development of tourist service buildings, which frequently becomes overly commercialized, leading to spatial chaos. Excessive building scale, along with their forms and styles, and an overabundance of structures overwhelm the regional architecture, eroding the spirit of the place—the Genius Loci I seek to preserve in this project.

The newly designed development, with its scale and rhythm, follows the urban pattern of the boulevard’s local architecture -decorated 19th-century wooden villas- seamlessly extending it and encouraging visitors to continue their walk

To faithfully capture the essence of the place, the wooden decorations of the villas were carefully analyzed and thoughtfully reinterpreted through a contemporary design language. This approach avoids excessive uniformity in architecture in areas with distinct character, as well as the blind imitation of historical patterns, thereby preserving the authenticity of the location.

The new development reflects the diversity of the surrounding buildings, differing in their forms and functions, creating a varied sequence for users.

A collage depicting the spatial chaos in Krynica

guesthouse with a restaurant

outdoorbrinewall

View from the rammed concrete cave tunnels

View from the Treatment Cave

View from the main cave of warmth and light

View from the light tunnels

Ground floor plan of the outdoor brine wall and sauna suite

Views along the sauna’s cold plunge pool path

Longitudinal section

View from the mezzanine of the drinking hall

Ground floor plan of the drinking hall

Ground floor plan of the condervatory

View from the conservatory

0 level l Provides stunning views of a historic spa house and scenic Parkowa Mountain, with a flexible dining area suited for artistic events like concerts or dance performances

1 level l The lobby plan includes spacious common areas that foster social interaction and transform into a theater balcony during cultural events

View of the restaurant or dance area

2 and 3 level l

The windows in the rooms are thoughtfully positioned to face east, allowing guests to awaken gently with the warm glow of the morning sun. This design aligns perfectly with the natural rhythm of the day, creating a harmonious connection with nature and promoting a serene start to each morning

View from the hotel room

Student’s activity pavilion and two very long benches

. Somewhere in Poland

From the beginning of my studies, I have been actively involved in the Humanization of Urban Environment (HŚM) student scientific association, which has provided me with numerous valuable opportunities. I had the privilege of collaborating with Pritzker Prize laureate Shigeru Ban on a relief pavilion. Additionally, I contributed to the design and construction of both the Radio Luz headquarters and the university student association hub. I also participated in several international workshops, two of which will be specifically highlighted in this context. One was Mood for Wood, where, as part of a large group, we designed, built, and “burned” two eight-meter-long benches with hidden interactions for participating children from a local primary school. The other was the ProtoLab workshop, where I co-organized and participated in a creative workshop designing a floating café for a foundation dedicated to boat engineering students. -workshops-

floating cafe .

Prężyce Lake

TEAM:

Karolina Staszewska - team leader

Kacper Klaus Anna Faltyn

Rukiye Aydogdu Mehlika Demirel

TUTORS:

Doina Carter - West London University

Kjartan Gudmunsson - KTH Stockholm

IDEA

The workshop’s aim was to design a floating cafe, set upon platforms for a foundation dedicated to students exploring boat building and related technologies. The pavilion’s structure is intentionally simple and lightweight, designed to preserve the unobstructed view of the far shore of the lake. Its form is broken up by horizontal elements at varying heights, creating spaces for seating and relaxation. These minimalist lines subtly echo the horizontal nature of the surroundings—the calm surface of the water, the distant horizon, and the shoreline—blurring the boundaries between architecture and nature.

MATERIALS

The pavilion is crafted from delicate wooden elements, chosen for their simplicity and ease of use during student workshops, creating a sense of lightness and clarity. To further reduce its weight, metal bracing subtly reinforces the structure, while also echoing the graceful forms of boat construction, adding a refined elegance, like the artistry of fine jewelry. The roof is draped in a soft, beige waterproof material, meticulously cut and assembled into trapezoidal patterns, guiding rainwater away from the pavilion and back into the embrace of the lake.

TO BE CONTINUED... The pavilion will be fully completed by the spring of 2025, ready to be placed on the water for the foundation’s use in the new season.

beeench beench .

Poznań, Jeżyce

TEAM:

Willy Manford Marciń Stępień Mikołaj Gniadzik Anastasiia Antonova MareikeFinnem

Nastassia Mitrafanava Natalie PolakovaJulia

Jura Anna Leonik Karolina Staszewska Roman Michalczak Michał Pietruszewicz Ibrahim Kandeel Leo Altmann Michaela Kimerová Marina

Alimpieva Roman Dziurowicz Oliwia Kłopatowska Daria Kaczmarzewska Paweł Siemaszko

TUTORS:

Nils Wenk and Katarzyna Kobierska

”In these days of stimuli from everywhere, finding the right patterns in the shaping of space should become a direction taught from an early stage of life, the key being simplicity, legibility and honesty in its further refinement. The two straight lines that form the seats organise the space in front of the school building in their conception. The mobile elements of the benches introduce movement into the space creating new ways of using it. The pattern used on the bench surface blends with the architectural details of the school building to create a spirit of place. The traditional method of burning yakisugi wood, which originated in Japan, is a way of naturally preserving wood. Fire-burned boards that are then cleaned become resistant to weather conditions, moisture and insects. The resistance of such a material can even reach hundreds of years.”