National Institute of Architecture and Urban Planning
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Co-financed by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage
The National Institute of Architecture and Urban Planning is a public cultural institution which popularises architectural and urban culture, deepens social awareness, and strives to protect national architectural heritage, through its promotional efforts, as well as exhibitions, publications, and educational initiatives. It conducts research in architecture and urban planning, disseminating the knowledge from these fields. One of the Institute’s missions is collaboration: with architects, local governments, and the users of space among others, to improve the quality of public space, find a balance in its development and a common ground in the process of its design and planning. The space we share is our common asset. Streets and squares, workplaces, cultural buildings, and offices – are all spaces where people should feel good and safe. We as the Institute care about social participation in public space – we would like for people to feel responsible for it, to be able to appreciate it and approach it critically. Education to us means developing a new quality in the understanding of common spaces. This is why we introduce educational programmes and strategies directed towards children, youth, and adults alike. We established the General Architectural Education Team – whose task is to propose systemic solutions, through which architectural education could become
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integrated into school curriculums. We organise exhibitions narrating the history of Polish architecture, showcase interesting buildings and projects as well as notable designers who shaped our surroundings in the past and do so to this day. We conduct research, hold seminars, care for invaluable material (such as architectural documentation and photographs) and make it accessible to the public. We prepare and issue publications dedicated to architecture, urban planning and design, directed to children and adults, professionals, and anyone interested in architecture. We collaborate with experts from local governments, NGOs and cultural institutions – together we want to promote Polish architecture, explain urban plans, and celebrate common space.
Національний інститут архітектури та містобудування — державна установа культури, яка через популяризаторську, виставкову, просвітницьку та видавничу діяльність поглиблює суспільну свідомість, сприяє розвитку архітектурно-містобудівної культури, намагається зберегти національну архітектурну спадщину. Інститут також проводить дослідження з архітектури та містобудування та поширює знання в цих сферах. Однією з місій інституту є співпраця, серед іншого, з архітекторами, органами місцевого самоврядування та містянами, щоб покращити якість громадських просторів, збалансувати у їх розвитку та узгодити процес їх проєктування. Громадський простір – це цінність. Люди повинні відчувати себе добре та безпечно скрізь – на площах та вулицях, у культурних закладах або офісах. Наш інститут прагне, щоб ми як суспільство свідомо брали участь у цьому процесі – відчували відповідальність за нього, вміли цінувати, але wwй підходили до нього критично. Для нас освіта означає розвиток нової якості мислення про спільні простори. Тому ми розробляємо програми та стратегії навчання для дітей, підлітків та дорослих. Ми також організували команду загальної архітектурної освіти – так, ми хочемо розробити системні рішення, щоб архітектурна освіта
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функціонувала як постійний елемент освіти в Польщі. Ми організовуємо виставки, завдяки яким розповідаємо про польську архітектуру, найцікавіші будівлі та проєкти, унікальні постаті, які вплинули на наше оточення. Ми проводимо дослідження, організовуємо семінари, доглядаємо за безцінними матеріалами (наприклад, архітектурними проєктами та фотографіями) і робимо їх доступними для широкої публіки. Ми створюємо публікації з архітектури, містобудування та дизайну та адресуємо їх дітям і дорослим, професіоналам та всім, хто цікавиться архітектурою. Також працюємо з фахівцями з органів місцевого самоврядування, неурядових організацій та культурних закладів – разом ми хочемо популяризувати польську архітектуру, пояснювати принципи містобудування та святкувати спільний простір.
Aleksander Wadas, Elbląg modernist tenement, 2023, from the exhibition Retrowersje, photo by K. Rodziewicz
Nicolas Grospierre, Colorblocks (yellow version), 2006
How to study public life The motto of the National Institute of Architecture and Urban Planning – The space we share is our common asset – becomes operationalised in the research of Jan Gehl. Together with his collaborators, Gehl seeks to answer the following questions: why are some spaces accepted by their users, how were they designed and built, what is their function and how do they change? But what comes first is the awareness of the scope of transformation that our shared urban spaces are subjected to. Over 50% of the Polish population lives in cities, and that percentage is soon about to grow to 80% according to global trends and statistics. This means that the quality of public space influences our safety, peace, comfort, creativity, the sense of spatial order as well as social and economic effectiveness. There is no doubt that the quality of the space we inhabit affects our happiness. As Martin Heidegger puts it – we build because we inhabit (Building, dwelling, thinking), and not the other way around. Our existential awareness develops in relation to our experience of reality.
Excerpt From the publisher by Bolesław Stelmach, from the Polish edition of How to study public life by Jan Gehl and Birgitte Svarre
Research: We conduct individual research projects, dedicated to issues such as hotel architecture of the People’s Republic of Poland, Polish architecture of the 80s and 90s in the context of its relation to the postmodern movement or the biographies of notable Polish architects of the second half of the 20th century. The queries and interviews we conduct result in books, articles, and other publications. Our Research Department holds seminars, lectures, and guided tours. In 2021 we started a podcast dedicated to the problems, buildings, and creators of Polish architecture after 1945.
Oral History of Polish Architecture
Archival materials
The Oral History of Polish Architecture is a project conducted in collaboration with the KARTA Center Foundation and local partners. It aims to collect the memories of Polish architects and urbanists. Together they form a mosaic of stories about the realities of the architectural profession during the People’s Republic of Poland, the systemic transformation and in the present day. The first edition of the project resulted in the recording and archivisation of nearly 450 hours of conversations with designers from Warsaw and the Tricity (supported by the Museum of Gdansk). Among them are stories about studying architecture under the influential figures of the time, the post-war reconstruction of cities, as well as the hardships and successes of work in Poland and abroad. The Oral History Archive is constantly expanding. So far, we have published excerpts of ten autobiographical interviews on the NIAiU website.
As stated in our articles of association, we source, store, process and share materials documenting the legacy of notable Polish architects and urbanists. Our collection consists of archives, project documentation and iconographic materials donated to us or bought from the creators or their heirs.
Bogdan Wyporek Marcin Świetlik Maria Sołtys Jacek Skorupski Grzegorz Piątek Łucja Kołodziejska-Świątkowska Bartłomiej Kolipiński Stanisław Furman Agnieszka Cieśla Grzegorz Chodkowski
Research
Jan Knothe Bolesław Malisz Teresa Zarębska Andrzej Kochanowski Tadeusz Przemysław Szafer Pracownia Bulanda&Mucha Wojciech Zabłocki Krystyna Konopkowa Grażyna i Jerzy Luba Olgierd Sawicki
The Levantine Fair
Poland at the Levantine Fair in Tel Aviv 1932–1936 was a research project led by Dr Artur Tanikowski from the Scientific Department of NIAiU between 2021 and 2022. It was funded by a grant from the Inspiring Culture programme of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage and conducted in partnership with the Tel Aviv-Jaffa City Conservatory Authority and
ilustracja Marta Ignerska
Research
the Polish Institute in Tel Aviv. The project resulted in a bilingual book publication and a partially animated documentary. The project’s curator also presented this research during international scientific symposiums – in Gdynia (Modernism in Europe – Modernism in Gdynia, 2021) and Jerusalem (18th World Congress of Jewish Studies, 2022).
Education: Through our educational activities, we develop teaching programmes and strategies directed towards children, youth, and adults. We established the General Architectural Education Team – whose task is to propose system solutions, through which architectural education could become integrated into school curriculums.
Education
NIAiU Award
Golden Cubes Award 2020–2023
The competition for the best master’s thesis is directed towards recent graduates of various disciplines. The competition aims to promote outstanding theses and motivate students to tackle the topic of common and public spaces or buildings in their research. The award is handed in two categories: Design and Theory. The design category evaluates theses in architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, urban design, urban planning, design, graphics, conservation, and related fields. Submissions in the theory category can include theses in art history, architecture history, architectural theory, demographic processes, sociology, anthropology, philosophy, economy, cultural studies, cultural preservation, natural preservation, law, governance and all the other aspects that influence the shape and function of our buildings and public spaces.
This international competition aims to acknowledge educators and creators who support children and youth in understanding the processes that shape architecture and the built environment. The international Golden Cubes Award appreciates and distinguishes outstanding educational projects in the universally understood field of architectural education. From the submissions, the jury awards the best entries in each of the following fields: audiovisual media (audiovisual films, educational materials, websites, social media), publications (books, periodicals, didactic tools), institutions (projects conducted by NGOs, institutions, museums), schools (projects conducted by teachers and students). The Golden Cubes Awards competition is held every three years and consists of two stages: national and international. The final is held during the World Congress of Architects, which is organised in various cities all over the world.
Education
To Be Like an Architect 4th edition
Archi:culture
This programme is directed towards schools and students. Its purpose is to sensitise the youngest inhabitants of our cities and villages to architecture and the process of its creation, through the presentation of the ins and outs of the architectural profession. Who are architects? What did they do in the past and what do they do now? What tasks are given to them by the society (including its youngest members)? How are buildings, schools, streets, or squares made? How do the boldest visions of the houses and cities of the 21st century manifest into reality? Are architects responsible for the fate of our planet? These and more are the questions we strive to answer during our visits to architectural studios and meetings with architects. We talk about the ways that we can understand and enjoy architecture, as well as our possible contributions to a more sustainable future.
The “ARCHI:CULTURE – architectural educator” postgraduate studies aim to shape architectural educators and mediators substantively prepared to popularise the knowledge on the built environment and conduct the so-called “architectural and spatial mediation” – the social communication of issues tied to the fields of architecture, urban planning and the Baukultur. Archi:culture consists of five thematic modules: Baukultur and General Architectural Education Introduction to architecture and urban planning Methodology Mediation. Participation. Accessibility. Educator/Mediator The programme is cross-institutional and is the first initiative of its kind in Poland and even in Europe. It is co-created with the Pedagogical University in Krakow, the Department of Architecture of the Krakow University of Technology, and the Department of Architecture of the Gdansk University of Technology. Our focus is accessibility, which is why the classes are mostly online, while in-person sessions are held in three cities.
Educational programmes Activities accompanying the exhibitions and publications of NIAiU are prepared at the intersection of our various departments. The programmes are aimed at a wide variety of groups: children, youth, students, and adults. We offer a wide scope of online and in-person activities: workshops, walks, tours, debates, and special events (film screenings, concerts, urban games). Together we develop
Education
issues and themes which are then elaborated on through the accompanying programme – we popularise, animate, and activate the local communities as well as the discussion around the key questions linked to a given project. As in the case of the programme leading up to the Anthropocene exhibition, we connect the educational events with a promotional introduction to the project.
The 3rd edition of the Be Like an Architect/WAA studio, photo by A. Czarnota
Education
Locally: We initiate and organise exhibitions, field projects and collaborate with our partners.
Tectonic Movement
Rocks and hills, quarries and forests, steel, and ceramics – the austere and fascinating landscape and natural resources of the Świętokrzyskie Mountains shaped the post-war architecture of the region. Świętokrzyskie is one of the geologically oldest parts of Europe. The region is rich in minerals – from sandstone and limestone deposits, iron, copper, and lead ore, to the unique striped flint. It was here that the oldest known to humans traces of land animals were discovered. One might say that we all come from around Kielce. At the same time, little is known about the architecture in the region. From modernist hospitals and schools, through decorative socialist realist edifices built in the
Locally
1950s, enormous housing estates and expressive structures of late modernism as well as the return to traditional architecture and historicism in the 1980s, to contemporary attempts at the incorporation of the unique richness of local nature and landscape – the exhibition is merely a preview of the fascinating architecture of Świętokrzyskie. Traditional building techniques, construction in a complicated terrain and the beautiful landscape made the regional architecture develop its distinguishable features, which teach contemporary architects a lesson in humility, cooperation and respect for nature and the building traditions of the region.
Networks of support
Retroversions
The project is about architecture and infrastructure that have changed out of the need to adapt to the crisis caused by war. Poland, as one of the leading countries in helping refugees from Ukraine, has a particularly rich experience in this regard. Experts will trace the changes that have taken place at the scale of buildings, cities, the region and their networks – from border areas in Ukraine, border crossings, residence and reception centers in Poland or the Czech Republic, to aid centers in Germany. Researchers involved in the project will look at new typologies and the role of physical infrastructure in the spatial development of cities and regions. They will analyze ad hoc projects, such as those in abandoned office buildings and halls. Activities will be divided among organizations from Poland, the Czech Republic, Germany and Ukraine. During joint field research, data, visual materials and texts will be collected for the exhibition.
Initiated in the 1980s, the reconstruction of the Old Town of Elbląg (destroyed during World War II) is commonly identified with the concept of Retroversion – an original doctrine of heritage conservation developed by Prof. Maria Lubocka-Hoffmann. However, the Old Town of Elbląg would never have been reborn if it weren’t for the work of architects, archaeologists, historians, activists, and builders who participated in the post-war reconstruction efforts. The history of reconstruction is also a history of the residents of Elbląg – their dreams, plans and commitment. The exhibition presents previously unpublished archival photographs, documents, drawings, plans, articles from the local press and videos. The post-war history of the Old Town is now retold thanks to the archival materials collected during extensive interviews with the people involved in the reconstruction. To broaden their takes and in reference to the local Biennale traditions, we have invited artists to participate in the exhibition and create original spatial forms illustrating the issues raised in the exhibition.
Locally
Retroversions exhibition, photo by K. Rodziewicz
Locally
Regions Lab
The main task of the Regions Lab is to raise awareness and promote the knowledge of architectural and urban heritage as part of local culture. The aim is to work out solutions that would serve the protection of the architectural and urban integrity of various regions of Poland and build the economic potential of Polish towns based on their architectural identity. Regions Lab defines the concept of regional identity through research conducted in small towns with populations of less than 30 000 people. The research and collected data are used to create functional tools for local officials, residents, architects, and investors, helpful in the decision-making processes regarding urban planning in the respective regions. The tools include an online map portal showing changes in local architecture and the spatial, geopolitical, and cultural fields which
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influence the architectural identity of Polish regions. The Architectural Pattern Book was created after extensive analyses, architectural and urban surveys of Polish towns, followed by the Archiculture Notebook of European regions – a publication collecting tools and practices that could serve as inspiration for Polish cities and towns. An important part of the project is a research method that involves local residents’ participation in the process of defining the architectural and urban code of the region, which comes from understanding their influence as the stakeholders in the local investment processes. The programme is carried out in participation with academic experts from the Department of Architecture of the Warsaw University of Technology and the University of Warmia and Mazury.
Exhibitions: We tell the stories of Polish architecture, interesting buildings and projects, and notable designers who shaped our surroundings in the past and do so to this day.
Exhibitions
Humanist modernity
A House for Culture
Maciej (Matthew) Nowicki and Stanisława Sandecka-Nowicka and are two significant figures in the history of American and Polish architecture. She was a talented graphic artist and designer and the first female professor of architecture in the history of the United States. He collaborated – despite his young age – with renowned architects on prestigious projects whose implementation was interrupted by his tragic death. Their story is a fascinating tale of creative passion, their life together, and the possibilities and limitations of the turbulent beginning of the 20th century. The dramatic history of their homeland, their lived experiences, but also a great hope for a better future laid the foundation for an innovative curriculum and architectural designs that changed the history of the profession. By combining the latest building developments with great respect for the local context, their readiness for dialogue and understanding of others, as well as their enormous talent, they created a humanistic modernism that opened the contemporary understanding of architecture to previously unknown realms.
The exhibition is a photographic journey into the architecture of kibbutz and kolkhoz buildings in the Baltic countries and Israel. Nicolas Grospierre uncovers a little-known architectural legacy, shows its utopian yet beautiful ideals and recalls a time when free access to culture was seen as an essential aspect of architectural planning. It is also a continuation of a publishing project undertaken by the Institute. The exhibition will present a series of photographs, complemented by films prepared for the exhibition. The exhibition will be shown in 2024 in Poland, and in 2025 in Israel (within the realm of possibility and taking into account the current political situation) and the Estonian Museum of Architecture.
Exhibitions
The Anthropocene
Anthropocene exhibition, photo by W. Chrubasik
Cities and buildings nowadays operate in a way that disturbs nature’s cycles, pollutes, and devours vast areas of land. On the other hand, humans are unable to function outside of the built environment. Architecture provides proper and safe living conditions and creates spaces of everyday existence for numerous people all over the world. The mosaic of examples presented in this exhibition delineates the context of current challenges in the face of the climate crisis, allowing us to better understand the trials that lie ahead. We see architecture not only as an
Exhibitions
effect of global and local changes in the relationship between humans and nature but also as a tool that shapes it. We present contemporary and historical designs, completed projects and technologies that impact the habitats of all species and beings. Artists invited to create installations in each ecological category offer us a look into architecture’s future and the roles it can play. They looked for methods of architectural design and functionality that go beyond being not harmful to the planet and towards a regenerative environmental impact.
Solastalgia
Identity. 100 Years of Polish Architecture
Solastalgia is a term used to describe the distress caused by environmental change, an inconsolable nostalgia, a homesickness for a home one has never left. Our home is changing all around us – landscapes and natural ecosystems are undergoing degradation at a rate we are unable to emotionally integrate. Szymon Rogiński registers Polish townscapes using both a telephoto lens and a wide-angle drone camera. He sees both the intimate emotions, the poignant efforts of local people and the disastrous effect they contribute to, posing questions of the weight of our presence in the material and virtual world. Rogiński uses data acquired through photogrammetry to create a virtual reality environment. The result is an apocalyptic world, terrifying in its ugliness and simultaneously realistic and familiar. The conscious use of VR technology allows us to see the true face of the reality we live in.
Identity. 100 Years of Polish Architecture is an exhibition project in which we take a look at the Polish architectural phenomena after 1918.
Exhibitions
In the exhibition, we present the conclusions of the research we have conducted since 2019. We analysed five cities: Krakow (1918–1939; Art), Warsaw (1939–1956; Authority); Lublin (1956–1970; Society); Poznan (1970–1989; Transfer) and Katowice (1989–2018; Transformation). To better define the identity of Polish architecture and urban planning through the many local identities, in the following years we also examined Bydgoszcz, Łódź, Szczecin, Gdansk, Olsztyn and Radom in collaboration with local curators. The exhibition stems from the discussion of the transformation of Polish architecture and urban planning that has happened over the last century. It allows us to not only promote the Polish architectural culture but also reflect on our surroundings and the quality of space that we inhabit.
Publishing: We strive to look at architecture, the city and space from different perspectives, reach for interesting topics, stimulate discussion, nurture sensitivity and interest in architecture, but also – the quality of the space we live in. We publish source materials, historical studies, guides, monographs, photo books, children’s books, and exhibition catalogues.
Publishing
A House for Culture
A House for Culture by Nicolas Grospierre highlights the formal similarities between kibbutz and kolkhoz buildings, constructed in places that are spread thousands of kilometres apart. The buildings are separated not only by their geographic location but also by the cultural context and political systems in which they were created. On the other hand, they are tightly connected through the universal language of modern architecture and culture, understood as a space to build, and develop human relationships. The project is distinguished
Publishing
by its impeccable artistic qualities. It is a continuation of Grospierre’s signature visual language, which emphasizes the frontal documentation of the repetitive forms of modern architecture, universal regardless of its function. The photobook contains 139 photographs by Nicolas Grospierre, taken in Israel, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. The photographs are supplemented with critical essays by researchers of modern architecture: Yuval Yaski, Mart Kalm, and Pedro Gadanho, illustrated with archival visual material.
Anthropocene Exhibition catalogue
CIAM Archipelago. The Letters by Helena Syrkus
The Anthropocene is an era of humans, an era of anthropogenic changes that result in global climate catastrophe. The construction industry and life-cycle costs generated by buildings are responsible for over ⅓ of world CO2 emissions – one of the main causes of climate change. Cities and buildings nowadays operate in a way that disturbs nature’s cycles, pollutes and devours vast areas of land. On the other hand, humans are unable to function outside of the built environment. Architecture provides proper and safe living conditions and creates spaces of everyday existence for our societies. The book accompanies the Anthropocene exhibition and elaborates on the context of the doughnut economy in reference to the realities of Polish cities, which gives it a practical dimension.
Helena Syrkus, an architect, lamented to art historian Sigfried Giedion about unanswered letters in her dreams. Architectural correspondence is rarely published compared to that of writers, artists, or public figures. The forthcoming publication in the ‘Origins’ series by the National Institute of Architecture and Urban Planning features letters exchanged between Helena Syrkus and notable figures like Walter and Ise Gropius, Cornelis van Eesteren, and Sigfried Giedion. It offers valuable insights into architecture’s history, especially the work of Helena and Szymon Syrkus, key figures in interwar Polish architecture. Additionally, it portrays a person deeply entwined in historical upheavals. The correspondence also reflects the complex political history of Poland and the world, addressing issues like 1930s antisemitism, the Second World War’s tragedy, and the advent of socialism. Walter Gropius’ words, “In these troublesome times, the best we have is the net of friendships going around this trembling ball,” provide solace amidst the challenges.
Publishing
The Internets
The Internet’s impact on our reality, perception, and relationships remains complex. Can we truly grasp and control these digital changes? Will the blend of virtual and real spaces become hostile or essential? Szymon Rogiński’s photobook captures the introduction of the Internet and computers in Polish cities post-1989. Despite the chaos, the photographs find intrigue and beauty in the urban landscape’s billboards and neon signs. They emanate tranquility, prompting us to rethink our relationship with technology and our online presence. The Internet has evolved beyond its creators’ expectations, raising questions about its effects on our emotions. Rogiński’s photos, though not mystical, depict familiar spaces like ordinary Polish neighborhoods, showing the digital technology’s integration into everyday life.
Publishing
The Eagle and the Winged Camel
The Levantine Fair in Tel Aviv, dating back to the early 1930s, played a pivotal role in shaping modern architecture in the city. Poland participated officially from 1932 to 1936. In the book “The Eagle and the Winged Camel” by Dr. Artur Tanikowski, Poland’s involvement in three consecutive Levantine Fair editions is explored. The author delves into Polish pavilion architecture, comparing it with international counterparts. He discusses exhibition concepts, key contributors, local context, and the fair’s global reception. The book features a rich collection of illustrations, including previously unreleased material like drawings and lithographs of pavilion designs. Modernist posters, prints, and photomontages further enhance the portrayal of the Fair’s architecture.
Resources: We share educational materials, promotional films, podcasts, and a selection of content from our exhibitions.
Resources
Online guides
A selection of exhibitions, local activities, research, and educational projects. Our online guides contain the materials developed for the different ventures of the National Institute of Architecture and Urban Planning.
Resources
Modernist Republic The “Modernist Republic” is a collection of twelve documentaries presenting the phenomenon of Polish modern architecture of the 1920s and 30s. The national scale, fast pace of the construction process and high quality of craftsmanship afforded these buildings an important position in the Polish architectural canon.
Podcasts
National Institute of Architecture and Urban Planning Podcast The National Institute of Architecture and Urban Planning Podcast is a platform for conversations about everything that surrounds us: architecture, cityscape, the use of public space and the people who shape it. We invite you to listen and watch.
Resources
Hear ADE is a series of conversations on the topic of architectural education with educators, designers, and researchers. In the first season, we explain the ideas behind the ADE platform: who can use it and how, what is Archipedia, and what educational resources can be found there. Together with our guests, we talk about the various threads and fields that shape this approach to education – why we interchangeably call it education on space, the built environment, or even the natural environment. The talks are hosted by the Education Department of NIAiU. The podcast is available on Spotify, Soundcloud and Youtube.
ADE Platform ARCHITEKTURA DLA EDUKACJI
ADE – “Architektura dla edukacji” (Architecture for Education) is the first nationwide educational platform dedicated to architecture and urban planning. What is architectural education? Who is it for? How can we educate people about space? The website contains many different resources dedicated to various groups. We decided to divide them into three categories: city, school, and home. On ADE you can read, listen, watch, and get inspired to take action in the field of spatial education. The platform consists of three main sections: the map of architectural education, the educational resource base and Archipedia – the architectural encyclopaedia.
Resources
Map On the Map of Architectural Education, you can find educators, institutions, and projects from all over the country. There are two ways you can use the map. Browse it in search of inspiration, opportunities for collaboration or educational projects in your neighbourhood. You can also put yourself on the map – present your projects in the field of architectural education. Joining the project offers you visibility and brings collaboration opportunities. The applications are moderated while joining and using the map is free. In 2022 we held the first online meeting of the people and institutions connected through the ADE map, with a programme consisting of webinars, presentations, and networking opportunities.
Resources Our resources are materials that you can include in your educational projects, use to get knowledge on architecture and space, or just browse leisurely. In the resource base, you will find reading recommendations, inspirations, educational materials, and films, as well as courses, workshops, projects, and educational programmes. You can explore our resources thanks to our special search engine or submit your teaching materials.
Resources
Archipedia In Archipedia you will find all the key terms connected to architecture, space, environment, and spatial culture – Baukultur. This original online encyclopaedia of architecture helps organise the knowledge on the intersection of space, culture, and the natural environment. We show, describe, and popularise the terms that have circulated for centuries, as well as those that entered the public debate only recently. The encyclopaedia is created by an editorial team consisting of experienced educators, teachers, and researchers. Each of the four main sections contains explanations of various terms, arranged from the least to most detailed and structured according to a common principle. The entries contain both short explanations and comprehensive elaborations, illustrative material, recommended reading, and online references. This makes Archipedia a useful tool for professionals as well as architecture enthusiasts of all ages. The Archipedia is constantly updated and expanded with new entries.
Photography collection
Andrzej Tobis, Water Tower, from the series A-Z (from 2006)
The NIAiU Architectural Photography Collection was created to display the most interesting tendencies in post-war photography – documentation, artistic endeavours as well as the critical reflection on social processes and phenomena and their results. It contains the works of authors who use architecture and urbanism as a means to observe, explore and comment on various aspects of human life.
Resources
Poster collection
Alevtina Kakhidze, Good Neighborhood poster commissioned by NIAiU
COMMON SPACE IS AN ASSET
National Institute of Architecture and Urban Planning Foksal 4, 00-366 Warsaw, Poland