Campus Competition

International Students’ Competition
CUT Campus: Driven by Novel Approaches

INTRODUCTION

Dear Young Friends,

We warmly invite you to take part in the international architecture and urban planning study competition “International Students’ Competition – CUT Campus: Driven by Novel Approaches”. This is a unique opportunity to showcase your creativity, and vision for a modern academic space. Your fresh perspective, innovative ideas, and youthful insight will be an invaluable source of inspiration for our university.
It is you – the future engineers and architects – who will shape the world of tomorrow and design it in a wise and socially responsible way.

Cracow University of Technology, as a prestigious university of technology, aims to create a campus that meets the challenges of the 21st century, fosters scientific development, and strengthens the integration of the academic community. A modern and green campus can become not only the heart of the Cracow University of Technology but also a unique showcase of Krakow – a city of innovation, science and art – strengthening its position as an internationally recognized academic and cultural center.

Andrzej Szarata
Rector of the Cracow University of Technology
CUT

CRACOW UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
CAMPUS: DRIVEN BY NOVEL APPROACHES

The Cracow University of Technology, an institution with eighty years of history, faces the challenge of adapting to changing times. While education was once based on traditional teaching methods and paper exams, today the university must answer the question of how knowledge acquisition should look in the 21st century.

The university, currently educating 12,000 students under the guidance of a thousand academic teachers, strives for development and modernity. The Campus Czyżyny offers expansion potential that could accommodate up to 30,000 students, combining scientific, sports, cultural, and ecological functions.

Planning the campus of the future requires architects to take a new perspective, going beyond classical patterns of academic buildings. Modern technology opens new possibilities for connecting architecture with nature. The goal is to create a space that will not only be functional but also become a symbol of modern Krakow – similar to how the Bilbao effect transformed the perception of that Spanish city. The new buildings are meant to be not just technical constructions but true works of art that will be remembered in architectural history.

THE CZYŻYNY CAMPUS

The Cracow University of Technology is the second technical university in Krakow. Like most universities in Krakow, our University also has its campuses and properties in various parts of the city. In total, our institution owns eight properties with a total area of 69.10 ha.

Our largest campus belonging to the University is the Czyżyny Campus, located between Krakow proper and Nowa Huta on a 54.60 ha plot of land. The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, and the Faculty of Materials Engineering and Physics are based here, and in a few years’ time a building will be constructed to house the Faculty of Computer Science and Telecommunications. There are also three laboratory buildings: The Environmental Analysis Laboratory, the Ultra Precision Coordinate Measurements Laboratory, and the Extreme Low Temperature Laboratory, as well as two sports facilities, the CUT Library, the Student Village and the Assistant’s House.

SUBJECT AND OBJECTIVE

1. The aim of the Competition is to select the best conceptual design proposal for the areas of CUT in the Czyżyny district of Krakow district and its surrounding areas.
2. The competition is conceived as an ideas contest. Therefore, proposals should be visionary, and can go beyond the limits of current local law. The aim of the competition is not to realize the ideas, but to open minds and generate discussion about the future university.
3. The task of developing a conceptual proposal of a modern, eco-friendly and functional campus for the CUT that will blend with the local urban context requires taking into account distant and near spatial contexts, as well as finding various types of connections and taking a wider area or a selected part of it into the design scope. Only then can we find innovative designs that could contribute to the quality of urban space and support our city’s sustainability efforts.
4. Participants are to submit entries in one of four categories: architecture, urban planning, landscape architecture and “open”.
   The “open” category is dedicated for (but not limited to): arts like drawing, photography, sculpture, site-specific works, the CUT’s visual identity on the site, performance and experiments – both artistic and scientific, related, e.g., to city space, new technologies, material and construction solutions. The entries will be evaluated within the cathegories. Participants decide on the categorisation of their entry, but the jury can change the category allocation on the basis of the merits of the work during its session.

URBAN PLANNING JURY

Andrzej Szarata – Rector of Cracow University of Technology since May 2023. Graduate of Silesian University of Technology (1999) in road and highway construction. Associated with CUT since 1999, Dean of Faculty of Civil Engineering (2016-2023). Professor since 2020, specializing in transport systems, travel modeling, and transport infrastructure efficiency. Author of over 90 scientific publications and 2 monographs. Led 10 research projects including international collaborations. Developed transport models for major Polish cities including Warsaw, Krakow, Wrocław, and Poznań. Main consultant for Poland’s national transport model since 2019. Member of prestigious scientific bodies including the Committee for Transport of the Polish Academy of Sciences and the Council for Higher Education, Science and Innovation under the President of Poland. Awarded „Distinguished for Transport of the Republic of Poland” by the Minister of Transport (2019).

Honorary Jury President
Professor Andrzej Szarata
Rector of the Cracow University of Technology, PL

Rafi Segal is an architect and Professor of Architecture and Urbanism at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) where he directs the research group Future Urban Collectives. His work involves design and research on the architectural, urban and regional scale, currently focusing on how emerging notions of sharing and collectivity can impact the design of buildings and the shaping of cities. His office, Rafi Segal Architecture Urbanism is currently undertaking projects in the US and Europe, including a recent winning proposal to design an art -tech district in Pristina, the capital of Kosovo. Segal has exhibited his work widely, most notably at KunstWerk, Berlin; Rotterdam Architecture Biennale, Venice Biennale of Architecture; MOMA in New York; and at the Hong Kong/ Shenzhen Urbanism Biennale. He holds a PhD from Princeton University and two degrees, M.Sc and B.Arch, from Technion – Israel Institute of Technology.

Jury President
Professor Rafi Segal
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA

Maria Clarke studied architecture in the UK and USA. She graduated in 1991 and in the same year moved to Berlin, working for various national and international practices. Maria started her own practice (Clarke und Kuhn freie Architekten) with Roland Kuhn in 1996. Initially working on residential and office projects they have received numerous awards and recognition for their work. From 2000 to 2004 Maria was a research assistant at the Technical University of Braunschweig and in 2004 she was nominated for the DEUBAU Award for young architects. In 2010 she gained a full professorship at the School of Architecture, Bremen, and from 2012 to 2017 she held a part time professorship at the Illinois Institute of Technology. Maria is currently a board member of the Bund der Deutsche Architekten Bremen and a partner in CKRS Architekten, Berlin. She commits much of her time to research work in Stone Town, Zanzibar.

Professor Maria Clarke
Hochschule Bremen, DE

Magdalena Kozień-Woźniak – Architect and professor at Cracow University of Technology. Her research, didactic and creative interests focus on public architecture, especially museums and performance buildings. Partner in Kozień Architekci architectural office. With her team, laureate of numerous awards in architectural competitions. Notable projects include: National Museum in Przemyśl (nominated for Mies van der Rohe Award 2008), Capitol Theater in Wrocław (Beautiful Wrocław 2013 Grand Prix winner), BWA Gallery in Nowy Sącz (recognized as best building of Nowy Sącz in the first decade of 21st century). Won first prize in architectural competition for rebuilding and extension of Pomeranian Philharmonic in Bydgoszcz (2020).

Professor Magdalena Kozień-Woźniak
Dean of Faculty of Architecture, Cracow University of Technology, PL

Marceli Łasocha – Architect and urban planner with over a decade of experience in shaping sustainable and dynamic urban environments. Deputy Director of the Spatial Planning Department at the Kraków City Hall, President of the Kraków branch of the Society of Polish Urban Planners, and academic lecturer at the Faculty of Architecture at the Cracow University of Technology. Actively involved in advisory and scientific committees, with interdisciplinary approach to spatial planning, ensuring cities evolve in harmony with their inhabitants and ecological surroundings.

arch. Marceli Łasocha
Chairman of Society of Polish Town Planners, Krakow Branch, PL

Raffaella Neri is full professor in Architectural and Urban Composition at Politecnico di Milano, where she graduated. Board member of PhD programs at University IUAV in Venice (where she received her doctoral degree in 1993) and PASAP national program at University of Bari. Her research focuses on architectural theory, urban projects in modern cities, and construction’s role in architectural design, particularly addressing settlements’ urban principles in dismissed areas, housing problems, brownfield redevelopment, and collective spaces in contemporary cities. Published extensively on these topics in Italian and international books and magazines. Co-organized the exhibition „Il centro altrove” at Triennale di Milano (1994-95) with Antonio Monestiroli. Participated in several architectural competitions. Won the National Architectural Prize Luigi Cosenza (1996).

Professor Raffaella Neri
Polytechnic University of Milan, IT

Grzegorz Stawowy
Chairman of the spatial planning commission, Krakow City Council, PL

Natalia Rudnik
Representative of the FA Student Union Cracow University of Technology, PL

ARCHITECTURE JURY

Marek Chrobak – Graduate of the Faculty of Architecture at Cracow University of Technology. Since 2001, runs ArchiGROUP Architecture Studio in Rzeszów. Designer of many public, residential and manufacturing buildings. Member of the Chamber of Architects of the Republic of Poland, extensively involved in Association of Polish Architects (SARP), Rzeszów Branch activities: Board Member (2006-2009), Vice-President (2009-2012), President (2012-2015, 2015-2019). From 2019-2023, served as Vice-President of SARP’s Main Board for Internal Affairs (until July 2023) and Creative Affairs (from July 2023). SARP Competition Judge. Since June 2024, President of SARP’s Main Board.

arch. Marek Chrobak
Chairman of the Association of Polish Architects, PL

Marek Kaszyński – Architect, author or co-author of dozens of residential, public, and heritage architecture projects. Since 2023, Chairman of the Council of the Lesser Poland Regional Chamber of Architects. Treasurer (2012–19) and President (2019–23) of the Association of Polish Architects Kraków Branch. Since 2016, Plenipotentiary for Statutory and Regulatory Affairs for the SARP Main Board. Since 2016, runs the Marek Kaszyński Architectural Studio. Competition judge and secretary; participated in organizing numerous competitions in Kraków. Commissioner and organizer of the Kraków International Architecture Biennale. Organizer of the MPOIA 2023 conference. Decorated with the Bronze Cross of Merit, Kraków City „Honoris Gratia” Badge, IARP Silver Badge, and SARP Bronze and Gold Badges.

arch. Marek Kaszyński
Chairman of the Council of the Lesser Poland Regional Chamber of Architects, PL

Kirsten Schemel – Studied at TU Berlin & ETH Zurich. Awarded the TU Berlin Architecture Prize in 1991. Independent architect since 1992, with her own office Kirsten Schemel Architekten BDA since 1998, and a second firm KSA . Kirsten Schemel Gesellschaft von Architekten mbH form 2003 – 2008, which was renamed in KSMS . Schemel Stankovic Gesellschaft von Architekten mbH in Berlin in 2005.

Professor Kirsten Schemel
Dean of Architecture of Münster University of Applied Science, DE

Vladimir Slapeta – Architect, graduate of the Cracow University of Technology (1980). Founder of Stelmach i Partnerzy, he designed the Chopin Centre in Warsaw, the new Chopin Museum in Żelazowa Wola, and the expansion of the Polish Parliament. His works have received awards in Polish and international competitions and were nominated for the Mies van der Rohe Award. In 2010, he received the SARP Honorary Award. Since 2017, he has served as Director of the National Institute of Architecture and Urban Planning.

Professor Vladimir Šlapeta
Brno University of Technology, Czech Republic, CZ

Bolesław Stelmach – Graduated from Cracow University of Technology, Faculty of Architecture (1980) and completed post-graduate studies in Spatial Planning at Warsaw University of Technology, Faculty of Architecture (1984). Obtained PhD in Architecture Engineering (2009). General designer of Stelmach i Partnerzy architecture office founded in 1992, specializing in urban planning and architectural design of cities, landscapes and houses. Received the Association of Polish Architects’ most prestigious Honour Prize (2010), Bronze Medal GLORIA ARTIS from Minister of Culture of the Republic of Poland for special services to Polish culture (2012), Officer’s Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta for outstanding services in architecture (2015), and Annual Award of the Minister of Culture and National Heritage in architecture (2017). Serves as Director of the National Institute of Architecture and Urban Planning since November 2017.

Professor Bolesław Stelmach
Chairman of National Institute of Architecture and Urban Planning, PL

Łukasz Stożek – Associate Professor at Faculty of Architecture of Cracow University of Architecture. Dean’s representative for students competitions. Member of Society of Polish Architects and Chamber of Polish Architects. Awarded the Gold Badge by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage for the care of monuments. Co-author of numerous prize-winning and commended projects at architectural competitions. Awarded the Project of the Year by the Society of Polish Architects. Author of over 150 designs of preservation and restoration of historical buildings, blocks of appartments, commercial buildings, landscape designs, etc.

Professor Łukasz Stożek
FA Dean’s Representative for Students’ Competitions, Cracow University of Technology, PL

Federica Visconti – Architect with PhD in Urban Design from University of Naples Federico II, associate professor in Architectural and Urban Composition at DiARC Department of Architecture, University of Naples, and member of the „Architecture and Construction” PhD board at „Sapienza” University in Rome. Her research focuses on „the Architecture of Reason,” relationship between architecture and urban form, and knowledge and project in archaeological contexts. Combines teaching and research with architectural practice. Recent collaborative works with Renato Capozzi published in „Not only blocks. 3+1 progetti per un’idea di città” and „Renato Capozzi_Federica Visconti. 10 Architectures 2013–2018,”. Specializes in urban composition and archaeological site architecture, bridging theoretical research with practical design solutions.

Professor Federica Visconti
University of Naples Federico II, IT

Paulina Ferenc
Representative of the FA Student Union Cracow University of Technology, PL

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE JURY

Claudia Battaino – Architect, PhD, Associate Professor of Architectural and Urban Design at the University of Trento, Italy. She has taught at the IUAV University of Architecture in Venice and the University of Udine. She has worked, researched and published extensively on the state of contemporary cities, with a particular focus on territories in crisis, exploring the potential of architectural and landscape design. Her recent book “A punti discreti. Scritti e progetti” brings together reflections and experiments on cities and territories linked by a common denominator, a unique thought that has developed from a specific tradition of research into urban spaces and the idea of architecture as the art of interpreting and transforming places.

Professor Claudia Battaino
University of Trento, IT

Katerina Gkoltsiou – Holds a Ph.D. in Geography, an MLA from the University of Edinburgh, and a degree in Agriculture. President of PHALA since 2016 and former President of IFLA Europe (2021–2023). Has led a landscape architecture practice in Athens since 1997, specializing in design, construction, and research. Teaches at the Agricultural University of Athens and contributes to EU research projects. Expertise includes landscape design, assessment, restoration, and rural tourism, with a focus on sustainability and raising public awareness about the value of landscapes.

Katerina Gkoltsiou
President of International Federation of Landscape Architects Europe, GR

Katarzyna Kobierska – Founder of the kakobierska.pl studio in Wrocław, specialising in designing public spaces with respect for nature, typology and topology of place. For years, she has been committed to creating projects that combine aesthetics with functionality, placing particular emphasis on the quality of life of users, both human and non-human. She believes that communing with harmoniously designed, open spaces promotes mental health, stimulates creativity and supports well-being. Her realisations often take the shape of informal play spaces in which greenery, soil and rainwater are an integral part of the infrastructure. She is the winner of the main prize in the public space category in the ‘Beautiful Wroclaw’ competition (2023) and the winner of the IFLA international competition ‘Boldness&Beauty’ for her realised public space Popo Park in Wroclaw. Since 2022, she has been a Board Member Association of Landscape Architecture.

Katarzyna Kobierska
Board Member of Association of Landscape Architecture – Poland, PL

Katarzyna Łakomy – Architect and urban planner by training, Doctor of Technical Sciences (DSc) in architecture and urban planning, specializing in history of architecture and urban planning, and heritage protection and conservation. Professor at Cracow University of Technology, teaching art history, garden art, and heritage green area design. Author or co-author of design and research projects in architecture, urban planning, and garden art, plus over 50 scientific publications including four monographs. Specializes in protection, conservation, and revitalization of cultural heritage of urban structures, buildings, and greenery from the 19th and first half of 20th centuries.

Professor Katarzyna Łakomy
Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Architecture, Cracow University of Technology, PL

Zbigniew Śnieżek – Member of the Board of the SARP Krakow Branch. Runs architectural studio ID design office, architect, co-owner, author and co-author of dozens of projects in the field of single and multi-family residential architecture, public buildings, conservation of monuments and urban spaces. KLIMATY, his project of multifamily building complex in Kraków received the 2019 SARP Distinction and the 2020 President’s Award of the Association of Home and Apartment Builders. He was a member of the architectural and urban planning commission in Niepołomice. He worked in the Department of Open Landscape, at the Faculty of Architecture, Cracow University of Technology. He is a member of the Society of Polish Town Planners and the Employers’ Council at the Faculty of Architecture, Cracow University of Technology.

arch. Zbigniew Śnieżek
Employers’ Council for the field of study architecture, Cracow University of Technology, PL

Oliwia Piotrowska
Representative of the FA Student Union Cracow University of Technology, PL

OPEN JURY

Rafał Bujnowski – Painter, printmaker, and video artist. Studied architecture at Kraków University of Technology (1993-95), then graphics at Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków (1995-2000). Member of Grupa Ładnie (1994-2001) and founder of Galeria Otwarta in Kraków (1998-2001), where he exhibited posters depicting everyday objects in supermarket advertising format—yet impossible to purchase. His work explores art’s entry into public space, commercialization of art, and reduction of artistic value to purely material terms. Documents transformation of artworks into advertisements or commodities. Employs repetition as primary method, recreating objects in different techniques (oil painting, linocuts). Seeks to purge individuality from his art. His paintings resemble bricks or planks while functioning as abstract or conceptual art examples. Initially sold works at actual prices of depicted „goods.” Also creates artistic actions involving repainting gallery facades. Explores intersection of art and commerce, questioning artistic authenticity in consumer culture through systematic reproduction and material mimicry.

Rafał Bujnowski
Painter, visual artist, author of videos, installations, artistic performances Warsaw, PL

Tomasz Kozłowski – Professor at Kraków University of Technology’s Faculty of Architecture, specializing in contemporary architectural theory and housing design. Head of the Department of Housing and Architectural Composition since 2016. Holds a PhD (2005) and habilitation (2014) in architecture, with expertise in expressionist tendencies and decompositional threads in contemporary architectural space. Author of four monographs and over 35 peer-reviewed articles in Polish and English.Active architectural practitioner since 1993, with approximately 70 design projects and participation in 24 national and international exhibitions. Award-winning designer in multiple architectural competitions. Internationally recognized educator and researcher, supervising PhD theses and organizing annual conferences „Defining Architectural Space” with European and American academic partners. Former visiting scholar at Venice’s IUAV and MIT collaborator. Member of the Association of Polish Architects (SARP) since 1995, serving as board member of SARP Kraków Branch (2003-2007).

Professor Tomasz Kozłowski
Vice-dean of Faculty of Architecture, Cracow University of Technology, PL

Marcin Maciejowski – Studied and graduated from Graphics Department at Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków. Member of Grupa Ładnie collective. Winner of Polityka’s Passport Award in 2003 „for wit and innovative use of advertising media stylistics to describe contemporary Polish customs.” During the era of national symbols and signs crisis, amid 1990s transformations, he provided exceptionally insightful and suggestive diagnosis of post-totalitarian society, including subcultural phenomena like „dresiarze” (tracksuit culture). Adopts stance of critical affirmation and engaged distance, employing advertising aesthetics and popular media language to examine social changes in post-communist Poland. His art captures the tension between old and new cultural codes, documenting the awkward transition period of Polish society with sharp observational skills and ironic perspective, consistently maintaining focus on social commentary through appropriation of commercial visual strategies.

Marcin Maciejowski
Painter, illustrator, cartoonist Krakow, PL

Wilhelm Sasnal – Studied architecture at Kraków University of Technology (1992-1994), then painting at Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków (1994-1999), graduating from Prof. Leszek Misiak’s painting studio. Member of artistic group „Ładnie.” Key solo exhibitions include „Sto kawałków” at Galeria Zderzak, Kraków (1999) and Centre for Contemporary Art, Warsaw (1999). Notable group exhibitions: XXXIV National Painting Exhibition „Bielska Jesień” at Bielska Galeria BWA, Bielsko-Biała (Grand Prix, 1999) and „What you see is what you get” at Galeria Medium, Bratislava, Slovakia (2000). His work demonstrates the characteristic approach of the Ładnie group, engaging with contemporary visual culture through painting practice that bridges fine art and popular aesthetics, often drawing from mass media imagery and everyday visual experience.

Wilhelm Sasnal
Painter, filmmaker Krakow, PL

Jan Zych – Graduate and faculty member of the Cracow University of Technology. From 1975 to 2002, photojournalist for the Kraków weekly Przekrój. Since 1970, author of several dozen solo exhibitions (including Copenhagen, Athens, Kraków). He has exhibited his work in hundreds of exhibitions across most European countries, as well as in Australia, Japan, Brazil, Argentina, India, Singapore, New Zealand, Zambia, Canada, and the USA. Over 30 years of artistic work, he has received numerous medals, awards, and honors (over 100 in total) at prestigious photography exhibitions, including the Grand Prix “Venus 79” in Kraków. Honorary Member of the Kraków Photographic Society and member of the Association of Polish Art Photographers (ZPAF).

Jan Zych
Artistic photographer, Artiste FIAP Cracow University of Technology, PL

Bartosz Czop
Representative of the FA Student Union Cracow University of Technology, PL

COMPETITION SECRETARY

arch. Ernestyna Szpakowska-Loranc
Cracow University of Technology, PL

PRIZES

COMPETITION SCHEDULE

• Competition announcement: February 2025
• Publication of substantive guidelines: 3 March 2025
• Registration deadline & entry submission deadline: 10 July 2025
• Competition jury proceedings: July 2025
• Post-competition presentation and announcement of results: October 2025

CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION, SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONS

• The Competition is dedicated to first-cycle (Bachelor) and second-cycle (Master) students, excluding students attending universities from countries that are involved in the armed aggression against Ukraine, namely the Russian Federation, Belarus, and Iran.
• The Competition Entry can be developed individually or in a team of maximum 10 students.
• The Competition Entry should be developed under the supervision of an academic teacher from the Participant’s University.
• There are no entry fees.
• Entries are to be prepared on 2 boards of 100 cm × 70 cm in size, in PDF format, with portrait orientation, and the written partas an pdf file, containing a maximum of 2 A4 pages of text with illustrations, diagrams, sketches.
• All Entrants and academic supervisors are obligated to enclose a signed ‘Contract concerning the transfer of proprietary copyright for the International Students’ Competition – CUT Campus: Driven by Novel Approaches’ with their entry.
• Competition Submission Form: Here
• E-mail: campus.competition@pk.edu.pl

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

ORGANISER

The competition is organised by the Cracow University of Technology and the CUT Faculty of Architecture:

Honorary patronage:

Aleksander Miszalski
Mayor of the City of Kraków

Honorary patronage:

Media patronage:

ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

• Ernestyna Szpakowska-Loranc (Chair)
• Wojciech Ciepłucha
• Dominika Długosz
• Dominik Dousa
• Alicja Hrehorowicz-Nowak
• Maciej Jagielak
• Lukas Olma
• Małgorzata Rekuć
• Grzegorz Twardowski
• Miłosz Zieliński
• English proofreading: Krzysztof Barnaś