Architecture students will have another opportunity to showcase their creative ideas. The University of Zielona Góra (UZ) has signed a letter of intent with the Gorzów Social Building Society (Gorzowskie Towarzystwo Budownictwa Społecznego Sp. z o.o. – GTBS). The document formalises the collaboration between GTBS and the UZ Institute of Architecture and Urban Planning.
The Institute of Architecture and Urban Planning at the University of Zielona Góra is responsible for the substantive and organisational execution of this cooperation. The core goal is to present students with real-world challenges. This allows them to translate what they learn during their studies into practical proposals for new architectural concepts. One of the first outcomes of this partnership is a student competition to develop an urban design concept for a city block located in the revitalization area of Gorzów Wielkopolski. Students have prepared proposals that take into account the location's history and surrounding environment, as well as contemporary housing, social, functional, and environmental needs.
The Director of the UZ Institute of Architecture and Urban Planning, Dr. Hab. Eng. Arch. Marta Skiba, University Professor, emphasizes that the Institute will coordinate joint activities, combining its academic and teaching potential with GTBS's experience and the practical development needs of Gorzów Wielkopolski:
“Our collaboration is going extremely well, both with the Gorzów Wielkopolski City Hall and with GTBS. We are committed to ensuring that the academic and design potential of our staff and students is applied to solving real architectural and urban planning issues. We launched a competition for our students, setting specific parameters for flat sizes and common areas. They created their design proposals in line with the latest trends and current legal regulations.”
During the signing of the letter of intent, the University of Zielona Góra was represented by Prof. Dr. Hab. Eng. Justyna Patalas-Maliszewska, Vice-Rector for Science and International Cooperation, who highlighted that this is yet another initiative aimed at expanding student potential:
“This is another excellent example of how successfully we collaborate with our socio-economic environment. Signing this agreement with the Gorzów Social Building Society demonstrates how widely our students reach with their ideas. We always believe in our students and their ability to make an impact, as well as their drive to explore and discover new solutions. I hope that in October we will be able to see these works for ourselves and see what new perspectives we can bring to the market.”
On behalf of the Gorzów Social Building Society, the letter was signed by Tomasz Gierczak, President of the Board of GTBS Sp. z o.o., who is equally looking forward to the collaboration. The competition entries could serve as a source of inspiration and a springboard for further discussion on the future of this part of the city. The competition successfully combined GTBS's practical experience in housing investments with the academic expertise, design skills, and creativity of the students at the UZ Institute of Architecture and Urban Planning.
As Tomasz Gierczak, President of the Board of GTBS Sp. z o.o., explains:
“Collaborating with the University of Zielona Góra allows us to look at this area of Gorzów from a fresh perspective. The students have prepared compelling proposals that combine the needs of residents with the principles of responsible urban planning. We welcome their suggestions to help us view this area through the fresh eyes of young people. We are building for them. It is our hope that in a few or a dozen years, new buildings and housing developments will emerge in Gorzów, inhabited by the very people who are studying today. We know all too well that the world is changing, and construction is changing with it. We face challenges such as global warming, the need to build passive buildings, and structures equipped with air conditioning. Green spaces are another major consideration. From our ongoing work with the Institute, we know that the fresh perspective of these young people brings a immense value to the creation of future housing concepts.”
The signing of the letter of intent formalises existing efforts and lays the groundwork for future joint educational, design, and expert ventures.
This initiative also aligns with the strong ongoing partnership between the University of Zielona Góra and the Gorzów Wielkopolski City Hall, working together towards urban development and responsible spatial planning.
The official announcement of the competition results and the awarding of prizes funded by GTBS will take place in October, following the start of the new academic year and the students' return to campus.
