Program of event in Krakow

09.10.2025 – Thursday

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  Dr. Joanna Łapińska

  Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Interior Architecture at the Jan Matejko Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow. Doctor of Arts, assistant professor at the Faculty of Interior Architecture of the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow, interior architect, designs residential and public utility spaces.

  Lecture topic: "Universal Design"

  Universal design is a concept of creating spaces, objects and experiences accessible to the widest possible group of users while maintaining the individual character of the project. Seven formalized principles provide clear guidelines for actions to be taken, yet surprisingly often they are not taken into account. During the lecture, the history of UD (Universal Design) and the mentioned principles will be discussed, different approaches to design will be compared and common points will be indicated, and the value of the described approach will be assessed.

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  Piotr Lewicki

  Renowned architect, graduate of Krakow University of Technology, academic teacher and co-owner – together with Kazimierz Łatak – of the acclaimed design studio Biuro Projektów Lewicki Łatak. This firm has won numerous awards and distinctions, including victories in Krakow competitions for the development of Heroes of the Ghetto Square, for the design of the Cracovia centennial hall with the Center for Disabled Sports, and the Kazimierz-Ludwinów pedestrian-bicycle bridge.

  Lecture topic: "A few remarks about one's own entrance doors"

  Wellbeing is a broad concept and topic that cannot be exhausted during one lecture, however long it may be. In Piotr Lewicki's presentation, he will recall several examples of design solutions creating friendly living conditions, frameworks for more comfortable life. Selected issues relating to the term wellbeing will be illustrated with projects of selected residential buildings from the 30-year output of Biuro Projektów Lewicki Łatak studio.

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  Agnieszka Wójtowicz

  Agnieszka Wójtowicz, consultant in interior design psychology and neuroarchitecture, has been advising on creating spaces that support wellbeing for over 8 years. She conducts workshops sharing a practical approach to conscious design. She supports architects as a mentor in brand building and runs the most popular account about space psychology in Poland. Her work focuses on exploring the impact of environment on human identity.

  Lecture topic: "Designing for Neurodiversity"

  Can interior design exclude? It turns out it can – especially when it doesn't account for user diversity. In my presentation, I will explain what exactly neurodiversity is and what mistakes are most commonly made in projects – both in public and private spaces. Agnieszka Wójtowicz will talk about sensory overload, emotional regulation through spatial stimuli, and how to design to support focus, sense of security and user wellbeing. She will focus on how to design spaces that not only look good – but above all work well on our senses, emotions and daily functioning.

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  Bartek Zdeb

  Founder and owner of Bartłomiej Zdeb dB company (continuously since 2005). Graduate of AGH University of Science and Technology in the specialty: vibroacoustics and sound engineering. Designer, expert, consultant and acoustic advisor with 25 years of experience, specializing in noise protection, building acoustics, architectural acoustics, interior acoustics and electroacoustics, as well as acoustic measurements in cultural, artistic and entertainment institutions; hotels; offices; conference, congress and commercial centers; public utility buildings; educational, school and scientific buildings; residential buildings; industrial facilities.

  Lecture topic: "Harmony of Sound: Acoustic Support for Wellbeing in Design"

  The lecture will address how noise control and conscious shaping (designing) of acoustics in apartments, offices and public spaces can support physical health, reduce stress, improve users' psychological comfort and increase efficiency in work and learning.

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  Przemek Gawęda

  Owner and leader of the original design studio Archigeum Sp. z o.o., based in Bydgoszcz. A graduate of the Faculty of Architecture at the Silesian University of Technology in Gliwice, and a PhD candidate at the university’s Joint Doctoral School. He completed the International Postgraduate Studies in Spatial Planning at the Poznań University of Technology.

  Winner of numerous prestigious awards, including the International Architecture Award 2025 for the FORT X project in Toruń, granted by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Center for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies in Athens. In 2023, he was recognized in the 40 UNDER 40 competition, receiving the title of one of Europe’s most promising architects. He was named Architect of the Year twice by The Architecture Community (2024 and 2025).

  Lecture topic: “NeuroCity – Architecture as the Second Nervous System of a Human”

  During his talk, Przemek Gawęda will take us into a world where a city is no longer just the backdrop for life, but an active participant in our well-being. He will present the idea of designing spaces that respond to human needs – stress, fatigue, the need for peace or concentration. In a world where anxiety disorders, burnout, and social isolation are rising faster than skyscrapers, architecture can no longer remain neutral. NeuroCity is the vision of a city that protects, regulates, activates, and supports – because the well-being of its inhabitants is not a luxury, but a fundamental function of urban design.