Załącznik 2.
wg ROZP. MNiSW z 30 X 2015
i komunik. Nr 1/2015 CK ds St. i Tyt.
Zbyszko Bujniewicz
Faculty of Architecture of the Silesian University of Technology
Architectural Designing Department
Summary of Professional Accomplishments
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1. General information
1. Full name:
Zbyszko Bujniewicz
2. Possessed diplomas, scientific/artistic degrees – together with the name, place and year of
obtaining them, and the title of the PhD thesis.
1991 – M.Sc. (Eng.) in architecture, obtained in the Faculty of Architecture of the Silesian
University of Technology, thesis advisor: professor Wiktor Jackiewicz, PhD (Eng.) in Architecture
- Diploma thesis defended with distinction
1999 – title of PhD in technical sciences, obtained in the Faculty of Architecture of the
Silesian University of Technology, title of PhD thesis: “Development of transparent architectural
objects with the use of contemporary glass technologies”, advisor: professor Wiktor Jackiewicz,
PhD (Eng.) in Architecture
- The PhD thesis was distinguished by the Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration
3. Information on previous employment in scientific/artistic units.
1991-1992
Faculty of Architecture of the Silesian University of Technology, Architectural Designing
Department1 – trainee
1992-1999
Faculty of Architecture of the Silesian University of Technology1 – assistant lecturer
1999 – now
Architectural Designing Department of the Silesian University of Technology, Architectural
Designing Department1 - associate professor
1 That is the current name of the Department, while the former ones, resulting from changes in structure, include: until
1998 – Department of Residential and Service Architecture and History of Architecture; until 2000 – Department of
Architectural and City Designing; until 2005 – Department of Residential and Service Architecture; until 2009 –
Department of Architectural Designing and Fine Arts.
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2. The achievement constituting the grounds for awarding the degree.
The scientific achievement, under art. 16 section 2 of the Act on Academic Degrees and Academic
Title and on Art Degrees and Title of 14 March 2003 (Journal of Laws No. 65, item 595 as
amended), was the monograph:
a) title:
CONTEMPORARY AQUATIC ARCHITECTURE. CLASSIFICATION, NEW
DEVELOPMENT AREA, PROGRESS CONDITIONS.
ISBN 978-83-7880-334-8; Wydawnictwo Politechniki Śląskiej. Gliwice 2015
b) author:
Zbyszko Bujniewicz
c) discussion of the scientific/artistic purpose of the above study/studies, and the results achieved,
together with discussion of their potential application.
Aquatic architecture is the field, in which the properties of a structure (an architectural
work), are determined by its functional, technical, esthetic and symbolic relationships with water as
a material or as an environment. I noticed that the subject of the role of water in architecture needs
to be systematized. The grounds assumed by me was the effects of water on architectural
designing, in the material and emotional aspects. Against that background, I attempted to determine
the groups of issues associated with the architecture shaped by water. I also attempted to present the
hidden potential associated with new research areas, and defined the obstacles in developing
aquatic architecture, and the directions of preparations for the purpose of overcoming them.
The area of research constitutes a collection of issues associated with the relationships
between water and contemporary architecture. Initial research has indicated that architectural
structures of aquatic properties constitute about 12-13% of the world developments. That value
illustrates how significant that subject is. The study describes the results of the research conducted
into 613 examples of aquatic architecture which were analyzed together with own projects, as well
as the diploma projects prepared under the supervision of the author.
Scientific objective of the study
The objective of the monograph is to present the role of water in shaping contemporary
buildings and objects, to present the mechanism of creating aquatic architecture, to determine new
tendencies and areas of development, to determine the possibility of development of contemporary
aquatic architecture.
The relationships between architecture and water are of various character. In the monograph,
I suggest that the specification of the role of water in architecture be based on its function, which is
assumed to be the common denominator of the studies of contemporary aquatic architecture.
Defining the signs of water functions in architecture provides the grounds for the suggested method
of classifying objects among aquatic objects, as well as the tool for determining their characteristic
properties, and constitutes the method for defining the group of objects that constitute a new area of
spatial developments, for the purpose of presenting the new directions of development of the
current tendencies. The relationships between water and architecture basically refer to the role of
water in the process of developing the constructed environment, i.e. the plastic, technical solutions,
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symbolic inspirations and utility properties, as well as to the issues associated with the placement of
the building with regard to water.
As a result, I have specified the following study objectives:
 Studying and systematizing the functions of water in contemporary architecture.
 Describing the manner of classifying contemporary objects in the group of aquatic
architecture by means of a uniform diagram based on the analysis of the functions of water
in an architectural object.
 Determining the conditions of architecture in the new area of execution, i.e. underwater
architectural space.
 Indicating new tendencies of contemporary aquatic architecture, and specifying the factors
determining their development.
I have conducted my own studies in the scope of the relationship between water, as a
material in three forms, and contemporary architecture, which forms are mentioned by the most
prominent modern architects, such as: Zumthor P., Kuma K., Koolhaas R., Ando T., Hadid Z.,
Holl S., Izosaki A. The studies presented in this monograph are not specifically connected with the
above-mentioned relationships of water in the scale of city planning or in the historical context,
which has described been done by other authors. The analyses excluded the objects of naval
architecture as examples of a different field of science and technology, and the issues of
construction physics and water supply for sanitary, life-sustaining and fire-fighting purposes.
The objective of the monograph is to define the properties of the group of architectural
objects in close relationships with water, to determine the framework, possibilities and tendencies of
development, and to describe the conditions for development of underwater constructed space,
aimed at developing that field of science.
Method and structure of work aimed at receiving scientific results
The research into the relationship between contemporary architecture and water was
conducted from about 2002 to 2015. The following methods were applied:
 Initial tests, specifying the significance of the addressed subject, based on the statistical
interpretation of the collection of 1052 objects presented in The Phaidon atlas of Contemporary
World Architecture – there was applied expert, subjective method of object assessment.
 The analysis of the respective cases was conducted in two stages on contemporary architectural
objects (stage I) and by own design experience within the context of world solutions (stage II).
The subject matter part consists of five chapters: The first chapter contains the verification
of the signification of the subject, and specification of the term aquatic architecture. The second
chapter includes the taxonomy of the functions of water in aquatic architecture. The third chapter
contains the classification, diagram of including an object in the group of aquatic architecture on the
basis of the respective functions of water. The fourth one contains the synthesis of the issue of
architectural objects in the new, underwater area of development. The fifth chapter presents the
SWOT analysis for the purpose of stating the conditions conducive towards the planned
development of aquatic architecture.
Research results
The conducted analyses and own studies introduce the taxonomy of the group of objects
constituting contemporary aquatic architecture on the basis of the functions of water in the
functional-spatial structure, to present the most important specific conditions for development of
buildings and structures underwater for the purpose of developing a new area of constructed
environment, as a new approach to the issue of the relationship between water and architecture, and
specify the conditions that need to be met in order to provide planned development of water-related
architecture.
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Taxonomy. On the basis of determining the functions of water as characteristic properties
describing its role in architecture, it has been found that water plays the following functions in
aquatic architecture objects:
 the function of an environment, in the objects situated on the borderline of land, in water, or as
floating structures or underwater structures, overcoming the technical obstacles and challenges,
 the function determining the dedication of objects (for example: sports and recreation,
transportation, therapeutic, scientific objects),
 the function of an architecture construction material, a plastic-decorative element, a factor that
affects the constructed environment,
 the function of creative inspiration through formal and cultural references, as well as references
to knowledge of water and environmental phenomena.
Aquatic architecture is developed as a result of placing an object in water environment, or
discovering in its functional and spatial structure the signs of water functions which are significant
in the shape or use of the object. The classification of an object to the group of aquatic architecture
depends on the perception, knowledge, culture and professional experience of the observer. With the
use of the suggested diagram, there was conducted research into the group of selected 39 cases of
aquatic architecture, and it was proven that in each of the researched objects, water plays at least
one of the following functions: determination of dedication, architectural material, creative
inspiration or environment. If water plays at least one of the above functions in an architectural
object, then the object is classified as aquatic. Water functions consisting only in meeting the lifesustaining, sanitary, fire-fighting needs, and appearing in the form of physical substance in
buildings, do not allow to classify such structures in the analyzed group. It was determined that the
assumed diagram is based on the analysis of water functions that unequivocally classifies the
objects in the group of aquatic architecture.
Underwater architecture. On the basis of the conducted observations, there have been
determined the conditions for construction in a new area of development of architectural objects,
i.e. underwater space. As a result of increased activity of people in that environment, there are
constructed developments with planned dedication, stable structure and defined form – the basic
properties of architecture. Underwater, you can notice the development of a constructed
environment. However, the experimental character of the developed structure is significantly
different from the elaborate ideas of visionaries. Underwater architectural objects are developed
mainly at the stage of experiments and concepts. The most common method of exploring the
underwater architectural space is to reach it with the use of independent equipment that allows you
to breathe. Human body functions differently underwater than on the surface of the Earth.
Pathophysiological phenomena make it impossible to freely use the constructed underwater objects.
The limitations concerning the time and depth of staying underwater, result from breathing
compressed air. Another method of entering the depths is to construct tight structures, in which a
person feels like in natural condition; then the utility limitations are smaller, but the requirements
for structural strength are higher. The limitations of perception of underwater space depend mainly
on the manner of seeing, hearing, feeling the temperature. The exploration of the underwater depths,
which has been developing for the last several decades, has reached the stage at which people
attempt to develop various spatial installations underwater. One of the innovative, creative activities
of modern civilization, studied in the monograph, is space constructed underwater.
Conditions for development. With the use of the SWOT analysis, there have been specified
the directions and activities determining the development of architecture in close spatial
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relationships with water. There have been determined the new tendencies in developing
contemporary aquatic architecture:
 use of the spatial solutions, conducive to using water as an energy carrier – it serves to develop
the internal climate of the building,
 water, as intangible inspiration for contemporary creators of architecture, is losing its religious,
mystic and symbolic significance in favor of the references to the phenomena taking place in the
environment, and the associations with common scientific knowledge,
 water used as a material for architecture. Service buildings made of snow and ice are becoming
more common. In contemporary architecture, the properties of water as a material in three states
of matter, are used intuitively, without being based on technical standards. The studies of the
plastic and technical properties of water should be preceded by responsible application of water
as a material in architecture.
 the development of aquatic (especially underwater and floating) architecture depends on the
development of suitable legal regulations, as well as technical solutions verified based on
standards, and financial models.
Research results indicate new areas of architecture as the field dealing with developing
constructed space, and new trends appearing in aquatic architecture. Many activities occurring in
aquatic architecture do not require development, because they develop intensively on their own,
while others have only just appeared and require the impulse that would properly direct their
development. The presented results of the SWOT/TOWS analyses of the activity areas indicate the
activities that should be undertaken in order to provide suitable development. The planned activities
will allow to overcome the stagnation in development of certain areas of contemporary aquatic
architecture, or to put the intuitive, chaotic development, in order.
The findings below specify the results obtained:
1. The group of objects representing contemporary aquatic architecture are the objects in which
water plays the function of environment (situated on the borderline of land, in water, or as
floating, underwater or amphibious objects, overcoming the technical obstacles in water) or in
which water plays certain functions determining their dedication (sports and recreation,
transportation, therapeutic, scientific dedication), functions of architectural material
(construction material, decoration – plastic element, factor affecting the climate), functions of
creative inspiration (formal references, cultural references, references to knowledge of water, of
water environment).
2. If water plays at least one of the above functions, the given object may be classified to aquatic
architecture.
3. The appearance of water in buildings solely as one of the utilities, or as a physical substances,
does not allow to classify such solutions in aquatic architecture.
4. The has appeared a new area, in which architectural objects have been developed – it’s
underwater space, characterized by different parameters characteristic for that environment. They
result from limited visibility, higher heat conduction, and, in particular, from the effects of
pressure.
5. Underwater, a person is subjected to the impact of conditions that are dangerous to it. That is
why the buildings and structures should take into account another manner of using that space,
and should be constructed based on the technical standards and construction law provisions
different than the buildings developed on land. The entry of people and architectural works
underwater, introduces changes to perception of space.
6. Underwater buildings and structures are currently developed at a primitive or experimental level.
The potential development of visionary ideas will be possible after properly preparing the
technical and scientific grounds, and that is why scientific research and experiments should be
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conducted in the area of exploration and creation of space developed underwater. The stage of
execution of futuristic visions should be preceded by developing the existing tendencies of
construction of underwater objects, and by determining the objectives of people’s going
underwater.
7. The application of the spatial solutions, conducive to using water as an energy carrier, it serves to
develop the internal climate of the building. The application of the properties of water as a
material subject to physical changes, brings aquatic architecture closer to the solutions conducive
towards protection of the natural environment.
8. Traditionally, water has been an intangible inspiration of creators of architecture. However,
contemporary references have lost their religious, mystic and symbolic significance in favor of
the references to the phenomena taking place in the environment, and the associations with
common scientific knowledge which replace the references to water as a mystic element. The
symbolic properties, important in historical architecture, are no longer so important when
developing contemporary space, but their creators make use of the references to, associations
with and inspirations from water, but it is not the same type of references.
9. More and more often can we observe the application of water in architectural developments, in
three states of matter. Buildings made of snow are becoming more and more common. The
plastic properties of water as a material are used in contemporary architecture in an intuitive
manner, so studying the plastic and technical properties of water should be preceded by
responsible application of water as a material in architecture.
10.
The future development of aquatic architecture depends on the development of suitable legal
regulations, reliable technical solutions verified on the basis of standards, financial models for
the economic functioning of such undertakings. The results of the SWOT analysis indicate the
proper assumption of a competitive strategy for the development of aquatic architecture, so we
should properly plan its development, while refraining from the undertakings that are too bold,
as they need to be preceded by a research stage devoted to preparing the scientific and technical
grounds for aquatic architecture.
The above observations constitute the summary of the research results. Aquatic architecture
is a current method of shaping the constructed environment, the field whose unexplored areas
provide new opportunities for studies and for introducing innovative technical and spatial solutions.
Application of research results.
The scientific results of the studies presented in the monograph include the following
cognitive objectives met:
 taxonomy of the issues of architecture in close relationships with water, on the basis of studies
of the functions of water in objects,
 characterization of a diagram of the method of classifying an architectural object in aquatic
architecture.
 indication of the conditions for developing architectural space underwater,
 assessment of the development of aquatic architecture, specification of the tendencies and
determinants of that development.
On the basis of the presented study results, I have documented the important role of aquatic
architecture as a contemporary tendency in space development. I have proven that underwater
activities create the constructed environment for which specific technical and utility conditions are
required to be met. Also, I have found that water has traditionally been a symbol of the values that
evolve, but have a continuous impact on shaping architectural space.
Applications in knowledge of architecture. The course of thinking presented in the
monograph indicated various aspects of contemporary aquatic architecture. On the one hand, I have
shown the impact of the natural environment on shaping the architecture, and on the other – the
creative inspirations accompanying the architects while creating the spatial and functional structure
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of objects. Aquatic architecture occurred to be a field making use both of cultural references, and
new technologies, while an innovative approach to water as a material, provides contemporary
spatial effects.
The taxonomy and specification of the method of classifying objects in the group of aquatic
architecture, has created a joint area of activity for the issues of relationships between water and
architecture, based on the analysis of the functions of water in the functional and spatial structure of
the object. Determining the signs of water functions is a common denominator of analyzing aquatic
objects.
Practical applications. Determining the weaknesses and assuming a conservative strategy
of development on the basis of the SWOT analysis, provides the basis for preparing a research
program and coordinating the development of typical technical solutions, standards and provisions
on constructing things within water space, i.e. over, in and under water. That is the area, in which
the objects developed so far, in most cases, were illegal. If the shortages, indicated in the
monograph, in documentation of the strength of the objects made of snow and ice, are
supplemented with proper studies and standards, it will increase the safety of using snow and ice
buildings.
Setting the conditions for constructing underwater objects is a step towards setting the rules
of developing underwater constructed space, and the objectives of constructing it. The results of the
research presented in the monograph constitute the theoretical grounds for the projects which are
currently at the stage of experimentation. My scientific and research plans, and the associated
creative works, will be associated with underwater architecture, whose possibilities and conditions
for development I have presented in the monograph. I am currently preparing the project of
developing the largest uniform, intentionally designed complex of recreation devices in water space
used with breathing equipment, in the form of spatial installations situated at the depth of 1—25 m.,
as well as a complex of underwater floating hotel rooms situated on a coastal reef, as the expansion
of the offer of the center situated at the seashore. Decreasing the scale of the undertaking, and
taking into account other conditions specified in the monograph, make those assumptions have
higher probability of execution than the currently developed futuristic megastructure concepts.
3. Scientific-research and creative activities
Scientific-research and creative activities before being awarded the degree of PhD
in technical sciences
My first steps of scientific research were associated with the subject of application of
computer systems for supporting architectural designing. That new field of industry provided then
significant possibilities for observations. At first, my own design works, developed with the use of a
computer, together with the research into software and the design process, were crowned in the
preparation of the article Application of CAD systems in designing architectural public utility
buildings. The basic conclusion of that study, and the summary of the first stage of my scientific
research, was the observation that designing with the use of computer techniques does not constitute
a separate field of knowledge, but only an application of a different tool. CAD-supported designing
does not produce a new value in architecture - instead, it just constitutes a new method of presenting
it, just like pencil drawing is different from ink drawing. Architectural designs are developed in the
mind of the creator, and CAD only affect the quality of their documentation and the method of
presenting them before construction.
While continuing my professional work with the use of computer techniques, I found a new
direction of research, applicable in practice. These were the observations, studies and analyses of
the application of glass in contemporary architecture. The developing change in architectural
expression of buildings, taking place in the architecture of the 1960s-1990s, provided the inspiration
for conducting research into transparent architectural objects. The new application and technical
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solutions needed to be systematized, and rules of their application in architectural functional and
spatial solutions needed to be provided.
The result of the first stage of my research was the preparation of the awarded PhD thesis
entitled Development of transparent architectural objects with the use of contemporary glass
technologies. That study constituted the summary of the theoretical studies and designing practice,
it defined the term transparency in architecture2. The significant effect of that study was the
systematization of the role of glass in architectural designing. The research results, obtained in that
study, are quoted today by contemporary researchers who deal with the issues of glass in
architecture3. The suggested classifications continue to be valid, and the detailed German
construction provisions, applied currently, associated with using glass, confirm the correctness of
the conclusions drawn. I then decided that the subject of the role and tasks of glass in contemporary
architecture had been studied to a sufficient degree, and started searching for a new direction of
research.
The first period of my creative activities is characterized by gathering of experience. I
started my design work in a design office in Opole called Zespół Autorski Habitat under the
direction of a licensed architect – Bogusław Szuba. The subjects addressed by me were associated
with designing single-family housing estates, and their respective buildings. Additionally, in the
office I developed the designs of multi-family residential buildings. After completing the building
internship, in 1994 I obtained the architectural designing license without limitations, and a limited
license for supervising works and designing structures No. 1315/94, issued by the Governor of the
Katowice Province. Additionally, in that period I prepared design works, the result of which was,
among others, the construction of FSO and Ford car showrooms, and the bridge crossing over river
Soła in Żywiec, prepared together with M. Tomanek, and several other objects.
The bridge over the Soła river was a design that
anticipated my future scientific studies of aquatic architecture. It
was a design, in which the role of architects was subordinated to
engineering decisions, but we managed to create an object, in
which subtle formal changes were introduced to emphasize its
individuality. We concentrated on shaping the pylons and main
bridge span. At that time, my research interests concentrated on
the application of CAD systems in designing and observing the
appearance of glass in architectural applications. Therefore, its
significance for my scientific development I appreciated only
when preparing the monograph on aquatic architecture.
Bridge over Soła river in Żywiec
Scientific-research and creative activities after being awarded the degree of PhD in
technical sciences
The increasing synergy between scientific activities and creative activities, constitutes a
characteristic feature of my studies after I obtained my PhD degree. I have been conducting
theoretical research works within the framework of employment at the Faculty of Architecture of
the Silesian University of Technology. The basis for my studies, and the place where their results
are applied, has been my designing activities, since the year 1999, as the main designer of
Pracownia Architektoniczna ARC Sp. z o.o., as well as in other design offices and creative teams.
My own architectural designs, together with the analysis of world developments and diploma
2 At that time Polish dictionaries (e.g. that of Kopaliński) indicated a different meaning of that word (transparentny =
eksponowany (exposed)), and it was only later that the development of architecture and the impact of foreign
languages changed the meaning of the word transparentny to transparent, in the context of architecture and its
elements.
3 e.g.. Wala Ewa Glass in contemporary architecture. A monograph. Gliwice 2014
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developments, are subject to studies, while their results are applied in designs. A certain feedback
directed me towards searching for the role of water in architecture as an environment, the
determinants of the functions of material and inspiration, which were summarized in my habilitation
monograph. My scientific and research activities associated with creative works, may be divided
into several stages associated with significant designs, from which I received the impulse to conduct
my studies.
Headquarters of Bank Śląski in Katowice
A breakthrough in my research studies was the participation in designing the headquarters of
Bank Śląski in Katowice. That object was designed by an international design office DentonCorker-Marchall with its registered office in Melbourne (Australia), with branch offices in Jakarta,
Manchester, London, Warsaw (until 2007), and, for the purposes of the development for Bank
Śląski – also in Katowice, organized for the purposes of development of the design, in which I was
involved. In that undertaking I played the function of licensed designer (together with W. Badowski
and J. Wróbel – controller). The observation of the designing method of a world-class office, the
impact of the relationships between office owners on collaborators, the coordination of the
designing process, and the style, effects and inspirations of creative studies, directed my research
studies towards the role of water in architecture. The reason for them was the building of Bank
Śląski, erected and awarded in 2001, whose references to nautical elements are specified precisely,
and were consistently exhibited by the design team and leaders 4. The ease of recognizing nautical
references5 is documented in the construction of the second, neighboring building of Bank Śląski,
designed by other authors, where formal references to ships are more literal. The inspiring function
of water in that object, which does not have contact with a water reservoir, had a decisive impact on
spatial structure.
4 The final concept was preceded by numerous attempts, and a discussion with the so-called Province Commission of
Urban Planning and Architecture. One of the accusations from its members was that a competition for such a
significant subject was not organized. However, a private owner (ING) was of the opinion that it was expecting
better results as a result of engaging a renowned designing office instead of cooperating with local architects, who
were then into postmodernism. The result is the building which today constitutes a significant object of Katowice
architecture, and confirms that the investor made the right decision. I was then a young, local architect, employed
for developing that design, and the educative effect of creative work within an international structure affected my
perception of architecture and development of the designing process, and determined my future research studies.
5 Hull façade, boat balconies (Kubaczka M. Architektura 1/2001)
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Waterpark in Zabrze
At the beginning of studies of water-related architecture, I developed a serious of designs of
water parks. The start of development of the subject that was new to me, was preceded by studies of
analogous objects existing in Poland and Europe (Germany, Austria, Cyprus). I studies about 40
objects of that type. As a result, I prepared the designs of water parks in Szczyrk, Zabrze,
Sosnowiec and Zielona Góra, and in 2005 I published articles on the following subjects: Water
parks in Poland within the context of the selected properties of European objects (2005);
Functional and spatial relationships between body care devices in sauna complexes (2005);
Bacteriological hazard in water elements of architecture, and technical methods of preventing them
(2005); Calculating the required capacity of a designed water park on the basis of the business
plan assumptions (2005), which summarized the design studies and developments.
Water park in Zabrze, Swimming pool basins with changed method of use
(under construction).
The subjects of those articles indicate the basic functions of water in architectural objects,
associated with their dedication. They specify the basic utility relationships associated with
designing objects such as water parks. A significant subject addressed at the beginning of my
studies, is the issue of providing a suitable hygienic condition of water in swimming pool objects,
and the therapeutic function of water for our bodies, possible to be applied in public recreation and
sports objects.
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Diagram of using solar energy and obscuring the dome, in the sectional view
of the water park in Sosnowiec
One of the most advanced designs combining the functional solutions based on use of water,
its recreational, sports and therapeutic role, with the ecotechnological function, was the design of
the water park in Sosnowiec. The functional and spatial structure of that building was based on
multidisciplinary engineering aspects. It was described in detail in the following publications: The
art architecture based on multidisciplinary engineering aspects, (2005); Selected formal and
spatial solutions in water parks, depending on the source of utilities (2007).There were prepared the
construction design and detailed designs, but the poor business position of the investor, and the
frictions between local politicians, torpedoed the development of certainly one of the most
technologically advanced water parks of that period.
Water park in Sosnowiec View and diagram of surroundings, taking into
account the reduction in heat losses
The object constituted a microsystem, circulation of water in that object, as the energytransferring agent, was similar to the natural circulation of water in nature. The applied cooling of
swimming pool halls with the use of sprinklers constituted an innovative solution, while water
heating with the use of sunlight, in a dome covering the created tropical jungle micro landscape,
resulted in the energy consumption savings significant for the energy balance. The overheating of
the swimming pool hall was prevented by simple covering of transparent surfaces. Technological
solutions were supported by suitable spatial solutions that ensured minimum use of the
environment.
The application of water in other designs of architectural objects, made me analyze the
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plastic effects created by that material in space. Apart from the natural observations associated with
the texture of water, the application of vertical and horizontal planes made of that material while
moving or not, I attempted to analyze the subject of water color and its impact on the color of other
materials. The results of those considerations were publications on water color which refute the
myths associated with the image of water and its impact on colors in space. I referred the perception
of water color to the physical phenomena related to absorption of light and its diffusion on water
particles, and thus I proved why water in a glass is colorless, while the same water in a shallow
container is turquoise, and in a deep container – navy blue. That subject enjoyed a lot of interest, so
I prepared several publications: Color of swimming pool water(2009); Emerald, turquoise, azure…
or the physical phenomena affecting the perception of the color of water in the swimming pool
(2010); The colour of pool water (2011).
A separate subject of my studies was the possibilities of applying the therapeutic properties
of water in general access swimming pool objects. The application of various devices and
architectural forms that may be used for health reasons, is common, but the question was how
should they be used and designed to provide a therapeutic effect. In what functional and space
systems should the architectural elements be situated, so that the hydrotherapy and balneotherapy
treatments, performed on one’s own, may cause therapeutic effects. Does a properly designed
complex of open-access saunas provide the possibilities to take baths of different strength of the
stimulus adapted to the planned therapeutic methods. I presented that subject together with
specialists from the Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, in the form of several
publications: Functional and spatial relationships between body care devices in complexes of
saunas (2005); Functional elements of body care in a water park (2007); Physical factors and
biological impact of bathing in open-access swimming pools (2009); Elements of treatment with
cold, and their availability in water park objects (2013); Elements of balneotherapy in open-access
swimming pool objects (2015).
I developed the relationships between scientific and research studies, and creative studies,
by developing the respective designs. After the period of functional searches of the role of water in
architecture, in designing I returned to its intangible, inspiring effect on architecture. Such an
impact on architecture, noticed in the Bank Śląski design, was continued in the design of the
Copernicus Science Centre in Warsaw, which I co-authored6.
Copernicus Science Centre inspired by the knowledge of the natural
environment and water
That object, resulting from an international competition, was described in Polish branch magazines
6 The authors of the Copernicus Science Centre in Warsaw are: Jan Kubec, Magdalena Gilner, Michał Tomanek,
Zbyszko Bujniewicz. After winning the international competition, for organizational reasons the order was executed
through the company Laboratorium Architektury Rar2 Jan Kubec w Rudzie Śląskiej
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(Architektura murator, Archiwolta, Architektura i Biznes), and exhibited in the Museum of
Architecture in Wrocław. The magazines did not always emphasize the relationship between
architecture and water, included in the spatial arrangement and source of inspiration, but in a
presentation in the Museum of Architecture in Wrocław, I had the opportunity to present the
inspirations with water environment which provided the fabric for the architectural concept of the
object which, through its very structure, is to symbolize the science and knowledge of the
surrounding environment.
Competition visualization of the Copernicus Science Centre, exhibiting the
environmental inspirations
In that case, the inspiration was not a formal reference to nautical forms, but a reference to the
processes taking place in the natural environment under the influence of water. The observations of
world designs confirm the change in the type of references to water as an element of the natural
environment, instead of the traditional symbolic suggestions. The architecturally articulated
convictions of the dominant significance of water in shaping the landscape and city space, have
brought about the effect in the form of the first award in an international construction competition.
The expression of the erected object confirms the contemporary character of the applied references,
and the understanding by a contemporary educated person. Described in the Copernicus Science
Centre (2006).
Another design, in which references to water, as an element of the natural environment, was
the design of the housing estate at Kolska street in Warsaw. The association with a flowing, virtual
river, seemingly not consistent with the city, created a meandering architectural space. Such
developments of public space have become easily recognizable for people, and the very term
meandering space was coined spontaneously during one of the design meetings, and became so
clear, as well as created additional utility effects, that it became the fabric of the design.
Estate at Kolska street – meandering architectural space
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The applied shapes of buildings not only makes the public space more attractive, but also allows the
view of greenery from almost every apartment. The view of greenery, situated only on one side of
the plot, is the main attraction of that housing complex. The apparently irrational inspiration
provided the grounds for the city-planning composition that determined the value of the constructed
estate.
The view of greenery from most apartments results from the assumed cityplanning arrangement resulting from the inspiration with water environment.
I have addressed the intangible inspirations with water, knowledge of water and its impact on the
natural environment, in several publications, such as: Architectural inspiration with forms of nature
as symbols of the culture of the Arctic (2005); Creative inspiration with the element of water as a
symbol of destruction – the Tsunami Memorial design (2008); Ice forms as inspiration for the
design of the culture centers (2009);
The subjects which do not belong to my main area of interest, I also develop in the form of
scientific publications. An interesting example here is the design of the Fort Chrzanów Conference
Center in Warsaw which will be properly developed at the stage of the construction design and
detailed design, and the concept of which I subjected to discussion in presentations at conferences.
Underground recreation and conference center of Fort Chrzanów
In the article Natural reflexive lighting (2006), I addressed the issue significant for an object
situated underground, i.e. access to sunlight. By meeting the technical conditions and applying
reflexive glass walls, I analyzed the resulting increase in intensity of sunlight. In 2009, at a
conference in Ostrava, I presented the manner of solving the problems resulting from the decision
(or the necessity resulting from the local land development plan) to build underground.
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Entrance object of Fort Chrzanów
Currently, after several years of discussions and arrangements, I have started developing the
respective phases of the project, which has been analyzed in detail, and prepared in subjective
terms, among others due to the publications presented among broader groups of people at
conferences.Naturally, that object is equipped with recreational water elements. The investor
engaged me to prepare that design, while realizing the significance of the proper development of the
functioning of water recreation complexes and of my qualifications in designing hotels. The spatial
solutions associated with the Fort Chrzanów design were quoted by Cezary Głuszek, PhD, in his
habilitation monograph. I described the functional and spatial solutions in the recreational and
conference complex, located underground, in Underground conference center (2009).
I started the preparations for summarizing the studies associated with the occurrence of
relationships between water and architecture, from expanding the researched area with the objects
existing in the water environment. I studied the tendencies of situating buildings within the space
designated by the surface of water. It was easy to notice that architectural objects are also
constructed on water – standing on the bottom or floating. However, one of the surprising
observations was the development of architectural space underwater. A person with the equipment
allowing to breathe, can make effective use of constructed underwater attractions. These include
both the surfaces of artificial pools, and elements of the environment constructed in natural water
reservoirs. I described the relationships between architecture and water space in: Water – new space
of architectural developments (2007); Apartments on water in the centers of postindustrial cities
(2011); Functional and spatial conditions of designing recreational pools for diving (2015).
In 2015 the Warsaw Plaza Hotel was commissioned – the object, the development of which
took several years. The replacement construction design I prepared was approved in 2013. The
esthetic assumptions made in the design of internal decorations, made references to aquatic
associations, in formal terms. These were rather small elements, in the form of carpet patterns or
shape of lightning fixtures in the hall. However, the analysis of the object, conducted after
construction, allowed to discover a surprising aquatic property of that object, which I had failed to
notice earlier.
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Warsaw Playa Hotel – a detailed analysis allowed to classify the object to
amphibious architecture, as a result of adaptation to changing water levels
That building was designed in such a way as to meet the possible challenge if water flew from the
Grabowski channel situated nearby. A characteristic property of that stream is its changing level
depending on rainfalls and level of groundwater. The elevation of the so-called “hundred-year
water” stated in the documents of the Regional Water Management Board, i.e. the statistical
maximum level expected over the next one hundred years, forced the suitable shape of the building
near the basements. I linked such a manner of securing the object, and the predicted functioning in
the conditions of partial flooding of the walls of the building, with the reports from a conference on
amphibious architecture that was held in September in Bangkok, and so I noticed that that object
belongs to the group of aquatic architecture, because it possessed amphibious properties. That
classification, consistent with the results of the studies presented in the monograph. is confirmed by
the repetitive issue of the neighboring channel that may flood the area, which was addressed at the
stage of designing. The undertaken efforts aimed at securing the building against flooding with
water, caused several threats to the whole investment process for formal or technical reasons.
Recreation and conference center in Babsk
The design of a recreation center, in the form of a large (ca. 60,000 – 100,000 m2) water
park with attractions, of the height of up to 150 m, is currently at the initial stage of designing. That
object will be located in Babsk, 60 km from Warsaw. The investment area is covered by the Local
Land Development Plan prepared under my supervision. The recreation center is designed with the
use of the programming methods for that type of investments, described by me in several
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publications, such as, for example, Calculating the required capacity of a designed water park on
the basis of the business plan assumptions (2005). One of the atractions will be a diving swimming
pool, designed in compliance with the results of the research presented in the publication
Functional and spatial conditions for designing recreation swimming pools for diving (2015).In that
object, I apply the methods of shaping the spatial arrangement, and find the relationships described
in my monograph entitled Contemporary aquatic architecture. The landscape and technological
significance of water in architecture, constitutes the foundation of the developed concept, which
also provides the grounds for preparing the land development plan. The execution of the design of
that object will certainly generate new subjects which will be worth addressing in further
publications and discussions.
The area of my creative activities includes not only water-related designs using intangible
references to water or taking into account the determining role of water. Aquatic designs constitute
about a dozen percent of my designing activities, but they constitute the main group of my specialty,
with which my activities are connected. The remaining designs are related to general architectural
activities which is also reflected in publications. The transparency of architecture as application,
described in my PhD dissertation, was described in an article on restoration of postindustrial
buildings in Protection of industrial heritage through transparent development of the new functions
of the objects of the former “Michał” mine in Siemianowice Śląskie (2005). I addressed city
shaping and district stimulation in the article Center-developing functions in the objects of the
former “Michał” mine (2005) connected with renovation of post-mine objects, whose areas play an
important role in the fabric of the cities of Silesia. I described cities and redefinition of their space
as a result of new investments in The squares of Katowice in the light of redefinition of the
functions of public space of a contemporary city (2005). The renovation of contemporary
architectural objects of established spatial values, and the interpretation of the eroding values of
contemporary architecture, were addressed in The renovation design for the Faculty of Architecture
– retention of identity, interpretation of properties (2006), developed as a result of the studies
accompanying the project of renovating the façade of the faculty of architecture of the Silesian
University of Technology, which I was asked to prepare.
A characteristic property linking my creative (ca. 130 designs) and scientific (26
publications) achievements, is the exchange of information and mutual supplementation of the
groups of studied issues through developing my own designs, analyzing them, drawing conclusions
for the future, which brings results in the form of development of scientific issues and design
solutions. The prepared publications were used as the effects of 11 research studies (after obtaining
the PhD degree) conducted in the Architectural Designing Department.
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4. Didactic, organizational and promoting activities
Didactic activities – responsibility for the space of the future.
The designed individual objects are not always the determinants of modernity, as sometimes the
economic premises, or investor's preferences, force the use of certain spatial solutions instead of
others. Plus, you can't design everything you think of. The activity whose effects on the future are
most significant, is didactics. Reliable knowledge given to students, and finding the most talented
people, will have effects on shaping the space in the future. That is why, although didactic activity
is sometimes underestimated, it constitutes one of the most socially important roles of an architect.
The ability to pass knowledge on, and to share one’s time between commercial designing, and
training of young people, is, in my opinion, the most important task of a practicing architecteducator. My individual achievements, and the individual achievements of my students and
architects, comprise the whole image of the effects of the work of an academic lecturer 7. During my
twenty four years of work at the Silesian University of Technology, I mainly taught practical classes
aimed at teaching the skill of designing of:
- single-family houses,
- small service objects,
- multi-family residential complexes,
- large public utility objects,
- architectural details and others.
In each term, I addressed between 2 and 4 of the above subjects during practical classes in
designing.
The most significant challenge and satisfaction for me was giving the class, for 7 years,
entitled DESIGNING PUBLIC UTILITY BUIDINGS (former name: DESIGNING CITYWIDE
SERVICE BUILDINGS) at the first year of MSc. studies (at first at the 4 th year of one-stage
studies). In those classes I taught the ability to design public utility objects. As a result of changes in
the structure of the process of education, the name of the subject changed, but the addressed issues
were always connected with: hotels, banks, courts, swimming pools, concert halls, multiplexes,
churches, multi-function high-rise buildings. An integral part of the subject was a cycle of lectures
prepared by me. I felt most satisfaction from those didactic classes on the basis of the results of an
anonymous survey conducted during the last classes. It was aimed at assessing the classes in
designing the lectures, and to suggest the guidelines for classes in future years. The grades I
received from students were, on average, 5.07 for lectures and 4.71 for practical classes in
designing, conducted in a team. The students were asked to apply the regular grade scale. Such high
average results were based on the fact that many students gave the best grade (6) for the lectures.
We should also take into account the spontaneous and voluntary character of those grades. I
consider such high grades for my didactic classes to be a significant didactic success.
When I was completing my habilitation monograph, I refrained from independently
organizing the subject of architectural public utility objects at graduate studies, and I co-organized
the subject of designing small service objects at undergraduate studies, together with Krzysztof
Rostański, PhD (Eng.) in Architecture. Our joint efforts were awarded with the grades from a
similar survey, at the average level of 5.08.
The culmination of learning at the University is the preparation of a diploma thesis.
Selection of the advisor is an important life decision. The selected teacher is given a lot of trust, it
needs to be professional in assisting in the development of the study, and preparing the defense of
the first, most important design. The trust to the teacher selected to be the advisor of one’s M.Sc.
thesis is, for me, an obligation and a great responsibility not only towards the graduate, but also
7 The students who learned, among others, in my classes, were awarded architectural awards (e.g. Robert Konieczny),
co-authored significant investments (e.g. the Silesian Museum), authored foreign professional publications (e.g.
Mateusz Kołakowski)
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towards the shape of space in the future. A young person, an architect, our successor, selects the
person who will finally shape its education at the university. That is why each student who selected
me, constitutes a distinction. In my opinion, a significant didactic achievement was advising in the
theses of 52 students. Of them 4 received nominations or awards for their diploma theses. I prepared
24 reviews of M.Sc. theses and ca. 120 engineering theses, which I consider to be the proof of
relevance of my opinion for other architects – academic teachers. Currently, I am the advisor of 10
diploma theses which will be completed in the academic year 2015/2016. Four of them are
connected with aquatic architecture.
Diplomas for some of the studies performed under my supervision
19 of the diploma theses I advised on, were associated with the subject of water and
architecture. They constituted some of the analyzed case studies. The designs were developed with
the use of a uniform course of conduct, and the assumptions and effects had to meet uniform
requirements. They included, among others, the application of commonly known technical
solutions, without implying unnecessary costs, and the solutions had to possess the properties
suggesting possibility of actual development. Such approach to diploma theses had features of
experimentation, and the resulting studies constituted some of the research materials.
During my designing activities, I supervised the internship of three architects, completed
with obtaining certificates for designing in the architectural sector without limitations. The technical
and organizational knowledge passed on during professional work, affects the approach to the
execution of future, independent design tasks. The fact that the graduates, whose internship I
supervised, obtained their licenses, constitutes a didactic achievement that gives a lot of satisfaction,
as the culmination of the didactic process.
Organizational and promotional activities.
Studying the relationships between water and architecture led me to become interested in
people’s activity underwater. At the very beginning, I observed that underwater there started
creative activity of people. The observations of underwater space in 2002 made me become
interested in scuba diving (SCUBA8). After several years, in 2007 I became an instructor of the
American National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI), and in 2010 - an instructor of
the Underwater Activity Commission of the Polish Tourist and Sightseeing Society (PTTK),
member of Confederation Mondiale des Activites Subaquatique (CMAS) – an organization that
8 Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus.
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trains divers and conducts underwater studies. My research into underwater constructed
environment is innovative, and different from the main fields of research, which is mainly of
archeological and cognitive type. I became interested in the creation of underwater architectural
space. In the foreseeable future, I am planning to start preparing a training program including the
rules of using underwater architectural structures, the assessment of risk of using, the limitation of
use in terms of the safety of staying both in rooms under pressure and in breathing equipment.
Designing architectural objects associated with water led me to join the European Waterpark
Association with its registered office in Germany, from which I received a certificate in 2001. An
important part in my professional life was the participation in the conferences organized by that
association, among others in Montreux, Berlin, Cologne. The contacts established in that
organization allowed me to confront my experiences with the designing methods used by
Whitewater Company, one of the largest companies designing and erecting attractions for water
parks, while preparing a study for Waterworld Waterpark in Cyprus.
One of the elements of my work was the participation in scientific conferences and
symposiums specialized in the subject of swimming pools. I was mainly interested in exchanging
experiences and views during the International Scientific and Technical Symposium entitled
Swimming Pool Installations, organized in Ustroń and Zakopane. The subject of the first session of
that symposium has been traditionally devoted to architectural issues. The confrontation with the
authors of the papers presented in different panels consolidated my opinion of interdisciplinary
character of the relationships between water and architecture. An additional element of my activities
was presentation of the research assumptions and analyses at the conferences Architecture,
Technology and Health and in a series of International Conferences Innovation in Architecture,
whose subject in a way summarized the spatial solutions of my design solutions. A significant
element of my scientific development was a presentation at ICEE the subject associated with
interdisciplinary architectural designing subjected to the engineering technical requirements, at the
example of a water park.
Over the last two years, I prepared the presentations of individual designs in the form of own
exhibitions organized in the four-star hotel designed by me – Warsaw Plaza in Warsaw. The subject
of five exhibitions included the contemporary designing solutions associated with the developed
investment, as well as presentation of the objects under construction or at the stage of designing.
Apart from the activities consistent with the direction of scientific research, I am also a
member of the Silesian Chamber of Architects, and in the years 2001 – 2003 – I was a member of
its Audit Committee. In the Architectural Designing Department, I coordinate the process of
collecting and studying the scientific and creative achievements of its employees. I work in the
recruitment committee, and for two years I was responsible for planning the didactic schedule at the
Faculty of Architecture of the Silesian University of Technology.
Awarded participation in Architectural Competitions
In my professional work, I participated in several architectural competitions, the most
significant of which include: Competition for the design of the Copernicus Science Centre (autors:
J. Kubec, M. Gilner, M. Tomanek, Z. Bujniewicz) in which we were awarded the first prize, which
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resulted in developing a construction design and a detail design, and in erecting the object, as well
as a series of closed competitions organized by the Spanish investor “Restaur”. The first one was
the competition for designing a residential building complex at Szwedzka street, in which (in the
Architecture team: M. Kubaczka, J. Kubaczka, J. Wróbel, J. Komosa and Z. Bujniewicz - ARC) we
won the second place, behind the Grupa 5 studio from Warsaw.
Szwedzka estate the second prize in competioion.
With the same team, I also participated in the competition for a residential complex at Mickiewicza
street and at Kolska street. In the latter case, we succeeded and were asked to develop the design
construction and detailed designs on the basis of our concept design.
The first public utility building of aquatic character designed by me was the building of
Bank Śląski in Katowice, which was granted the SARP Award and the Award from the President of
the City of Katowice, in the competition 2001 Architecture.
The erected Copernicus Science Centre was addressed in many publications, such as:
- Architektura i Biznes No. 1 2006,
- Archivolta No. 2. 2006,
- Architektura No. 7. 2006.
- Exhibition in the Museum of Architecture in Wrocław in 2006 entitled “Gallery of one design:
Copernicus Science Centre”
Site plan from competition drawings of Copernicus Science Centre
Press photo of authors
That object also won numerous awards and distinctions:
1. the first award in an International Architectural Competition (2005)
2. Two Science Promoter awards, in the years 2007-2008, granted by the Ministry of Science and
Higher Education, and the “Nauka w Polsce” website of the Polish Press Agency.
3. Won plebiscite entitled Polish Architecture XXL, as the most interesting building in the category
of 2011 culture and science
4.
The most beautiful building in the capital city – won online plebiscite organized by the Rytm
Miasta TVN Warszawa program for the most beautiful building of the capital city in 2010
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5.
Title of “Building of the year 2010” in the competition organized by the Polish Association
of Construction Engineers and Technicians, with the participation of the Ministry of Construction
and Chief Construction Supervision Office, 2011
6.
Nomination to the international Mies van der Rohe award for European architecture, 2010
7.
Award from the Minister of Culture and National Heritage for the best object for culture, in
nd
the 2 edition of the LIFE IN ARCHITECTURE competition for the most interesting Polish
developments in the years 2000-2012.
5. Summary.
The following achievements reflect the most important properties characterizing my activities:
- In 1991 I obtained with distinction M.Sc. (Eng.) in architecture, In 1999 I have got the title of PhD
in technical sciences yhe thesis was distinguished by the Minister. In mean time at 1994 I have been
licenced for no limits designing in architecture.
- I wrote 26 articles (after PhD), of which 20 are directly associated with the subject of studies
presented in my monograph.
- I advised on 52 diploma theses, of which 17 were associated with the subjects related to aquatic
architecture, and I prepared 24 reviews.
- For 24 years I gave practical classes in designing subjects associated with the subjects from singlefamily houses, through residential complexes, to multi-function structures.
- For 7 years I gave classes associated with designing public utility objects.
- I designed ca. 130 (after PhD) architectural objects, of which 19 are classified to aquatic
architecture, and two aquatic objects were awarded 8 times in total.
- I have been conducting the studies of aquatic architecture for 13 years, as a scientific and didactic
employee of the Silesian University of Technology and instructor of the Underwater Activity
Commission.
- My designs and developments were presented in my 5 exhibitions
- I actively participated in 21 domestic and international conferences and symposiums, at 18 of
which I presented 24 papers on the subjects associated with studies of aquatic architecture,
including 20 on the subjects associated with the basic area of research associated with the
relationship between architecture and water.
- The subjects presented in the monograph is based on the list of theoretical issues developed on the
basis of world architecture and own designing experience. The subject of my research studies will
be continued in my current creative studies.
Signature:….....................................
Zbyszko Bujniewicz, PhD (Eng.) in Architecture
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