Małgorzata Wijas

On selected examples, the authors show how conscious design decisions on the building form affect the perception of the interior and create the atmosphere inside the building. The paper concerns the use of natural light in the process of the building form design in order to produce desired interior visual environment. The authors emphasise the role of natural light in architecture, especially in the perception of space.

The paper addresses the issue of small initiatives undertaken by inhabitants of housing estates to improve the quality of their living environment. The forms of initiatives, initiation and funding were discussed, as well as methods of implementation in cooperation with universities, organizations, commercial entities and self-government units. The effects of both spatial and social measures were analyzed. On the basis of experience in the implementation of the project “Bookshelves” conducted by the Department of Housing Development of the Institute of Urban Design, Cracow University of Technology in cooperation with the self-government of the Revitalization Department of the Cracow City Council discussed possibilities and threats in the implementation of such projects.

The article presents a model of cooperation between the university and the non-government organization, shows the aim, character and rules of this kind of interaction. The article presents efecst of students‘ work led by their teachers. This work is an attempt to show the mutual benefits of synergies and final effects of the university – foundation – self-government – human – business model.

The article describes the types of social spaces in modern multi-family residential complexes and their influence on the development of the forms of living of their residents. Four multi-family residential complexes were analyzed — two residential complexes and an infill building in Kielce, and one complex in Łódź. All presented complexes were erected within the last five years.

This work is an attempt to show the influence of context of the place on urban and architectural composition. The composition once characteristic of a given period/style, now takes on a broader meaning. It may be a reaction to the surroundings. The author, on selected examples, shows how we can ‘benefit’ from the surroundings while ‘composing’ a new work and how it influences the whole creative process and the final form of the architecture.