Modern architecture and ecology go hand in hand! Summary of the ARCHI-STRADA 2025 event

Knowledge and experience at the D&A Forum

ARCHI-STRADA hosted the 6th edition of the D&A Design & Architecture Forum, organized in cooperation with the Chamber of Architects of the Republic of Poland and the Association of Polish Architects, as well as renowned studios and authorities in the field of architecture
and design. As in previous years, there was no shortage of examples of good architecture, distinguished guests, discussions on the transformation of space and responsibility in design, interesting exhibitions and competitions. The common denominator of all the speeches was an attempt to find effective ways to use wood in architecture, combining tradition and modernity.

The meeting of architects began with a lecture by Mateusz Mastalski, acting as design director at Henning Larsen Architects, responsible for the design of Copenhagen's first housing estate based entirely on wooden structures. During the speech, Mastalski introduced the subject of sustainable design and the use of wood in architecture, sharing his extensive experience gained in working with this raw material. Also appearing on stage that day were Krzysztof Mycielski (Group 5 Architects) and Piotr Grabowski (Studio GAB), as well as Piotr Olszak, who creates the Polska Drewniana online community. The culmination of all the speeches was a debate entitled. “Architecture made of wood: heritage and the challenge of modernity,” led by the host of the Forum, Jakub Glaz. The conversation focused on the challenges of restoring wooden monuments, using traditional and modern construction techniques. The panelists also discussed the return of wood to modern architecture, including innovative technologies and the adaptation of wooden buildings to new functions.

On Wednesday, on the other hand, we could see a special guest on stage, Asko Takala, a partner at Helsinki-based architectural firm Sivén & Takala, who, as president of the Finnish Association of Architects, represents a significant part of the Scandinavian architectural community. Among the most famous buildings designed by his office are wood-related projects such as Juvakoti Old People's Home in Juva, Karviaistie Special School in Helsinki, Ekoviikki Ecological Housing in Helsinki, and Lilla Åleryd Housing in Linköping. You could also listen to speeches by Magdalena Wypusz (Mood for Wood), Miroslaw Wojcieszak (GWPA), Agnieszka Kalinowska-Soltys and Szymon Wojciechowski (APA Wojciechowski Architects), Piotr Brodniewicz (Andrewex) and Anna Zawadzka-Sobieraj. The Forum concluded with a debate: Wood and what next? Environmental and Technological Opportunities and Challenges, led by Maciej Frąckowiak (Department of Sociology, UAM).

The debate discussed how wood, although perceived as an ecological and biophilic material, in reality depends heavily on the technological processes and logistics chains used. Experts, sharing their design experiences, identified key issues that need to be considered in the design and construction process, and dispelled myths related to the use of wood in architecture.

A meeting for the construction of the future

The main asset of ARCHI-STRADA was the space for discussions with leading architects and experts in the use of wood in construction.

The participation of key representatives of the architectural community was noted during the opening of the D&A Forum, Piotr Fokczynski, President of the National Council of the Polish Chamber of Architects:

Present here is a group of people contributing to the development of the construction industry. Our participation in the D&A Forum will certainly ennoble the BUDMA trade fair [...]. We always try to show innovations and new trends.

Marek Chrobak, President of the Association of Polish Architects, noted the importance of creating a space for architects at BUDMA.

Thank you for the invitation and for the fact that - as architects - we are seen in such a good and respectable group as one piece of the whole puzzle. These trends that are opening up to us as new and ecological, and the exhibition space of this pavilion shows that we offer technical innovations on the one hand, and beautiful architecture on the other. Our task is to combine these elements. New construction is a new challenge for us.

The D&A Forum is a unique event where we could talk about the latest trends and innovations in architecture and construction. It is a place where architects, investors, contractors and producers of building materials meet to talk about the latest technologies, exchange knowledge and contacts,” says Agnieszka Kalinowska-Sołtys of APA Wojciechowski Architekci, one of the design offices co-creating the event.

Special lectures and special guests

The D&A Forum was not the only offer that was prepared for ARCHI-STRADA guests. On the third day of the event, a discussion on the most important challenges of contemporary architecture, namely housing, was held on stage. The debate featured Robert Konieczny (KWK PROMES), Mateusz Mastalski (Henning Larsen), Marcin Kościuch (Ultra Architects) and Magdalena Buczyńska-Zapała (SARP Krakow Branch). The event, organized by the A&B publishing house, was preceded by the settlement of the editorial student competition Zamieszkanie.

On the same day Robert Konieczny took the stage for the second time - this time as an author. At the special invitation of Bookarest bookstore, he talked about his book “Buildings + Ideas”.

An interesting and highly inspiring highlight of this year's program was a lecture by Jakub Glaz on “Women's Architecture. Women in Architecture.” The critic and publicist told about outstanding architects whose herstory is not widely known, even in professional circles. In his talk, he presented profiles of visionary women such as Catherine Beecher, Christine Frederick, and Eileen Gray, whose achievements, despite being overshadowed by male history, are still one of the cornerstones of the architecture industry today.

The potential of future generations of architects

During the opening of the second day of the forum, we recognized the winners of the “Architectural Sketches” competition, whose theme this year was wood in architecture. Finalists and winners appeared at the award ceremony. Future architects, designers and artists are still looking for new content in the language of drawing,” said Wojciech Hildebrandt, M.Sc., architect and educator, honorary patron of the competition, ”Against the dominance of digital toys and sensational graphics programs, drawing is a great way to express thoughts and search for good solutions. Irreplaceable in creating spaces with an individual and human face. What we all expect from architecture. Especially in view of the growing public protest, against the schematism and geometric boredom of computer architecture. For architects who draw, the world stands open. With this one can easily beat the hosts of computer sutlers hooked up to flashing screens. Without live drawing of architectural ideas, architecture becomes soulless and boringly similar everywhere [...] Future architects, designers, you want to succeed? Draw!

The winning works and the winner of the Audience Award were announced during the award ceremony on the ARCHI-STRADA 2025 stage. The jury selected the best works from among hundreds of works, characterized by a high substantive, artistic and workshop level.

The competition is organized by the Poznań International Fair. Partners of the COMPETITION are the Chamber of Architects of the Republic of Poland and the Association of Polish Architects.
The works of the winners could be seen on all days of the event in pav. 5., together with an exhibition of works awarded in the 5th edition of the competition for the Architectural Award of the Wielkopolska Region.
The highest substantive level was taken care of by honorary and substantive patrons: the Chamber of Architects of the Republic of Poland, the Association of Polish Architects - Poznań Branch and the Architecture & Business Publishing House.
In turn, media partners were: the nationwide monthly magazine “Architektura & Biznes” and the Internet portal www.architekturaibiznes.pl, Architektura.info, the bookstore Bookarest, Biznes&Ekologia, Builder, Decoration&Design, the monthly magazine “Forum Branżowe” and the website www.ForumBranzowe.com, Living Room, Living Room Luksus, the project Mood for Wood, MAGAZIF.com, Murator, Murator Plus, Murator Architektura, Sztuka-architektury.pl, the monthly magazine TERAZ DOM Sempres - marketing agency, Zawód: Architekt.
FAKRO was the strategic partner.

SEE YOU AT ARCHI-STRADA 2026

A unique in its form review of trends, styles and the latest architectural solutions will return to BUDMA in February 2026! Visitors will be treated to an exposition of high-quality products of unusual design, as well as a rich program of substantive lectures and discussions with the participation of representatives of renowned studios.
ARCHI-STRADA is a project aimed at professionals and enthusiasts of modern architecture for the construction of the future, and at the same time an event to deepen business relations and the opportunity to present the offer in front of a large group of designers and investors.
Modern exhibition spaces are tailored to meet the needs of all exhibitors, and the opportunity to design a customized arrangement allows the character of each company present to become apparent.
www.archi-strada.pl