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I N T E R V I EW
Where is Polish office buildings architecture heading in your opinion? Are we condemned to
copying Western models because of the requirements of developer companies, which often
originate from other countries?
Surely not. The fact that office buildings in Poland are often built by investors of Western
backgrounds doesn’t mean they aren’t sensitive to local projects with their own identi-
ty, strongly embedded in the local landscape with its characteristics, history and spatial
considerations. Developers tend to be very intelligent people – the profession requires
it – and understand that this regional approach to architecture or public spaces can be
an added value that will mean their project will be better perceived not only by tenants,
but generally residents of a given micro-community.
Is there any project among Polish office buildings that you could call a “masterpiece” on
a global scale?
We are yet to see such a masterpiece in Polish cities. There are some very good develop-
ments, like the Rondo 1 high-rise in Warsaw, designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merill and
its Polish partners. We are also waiting for the construction of Warsaw Spire and the Q22
tower to be completed. The success of Rondo 1 is evidenced by the fact that it has already
changed hands perhaps four times, making a profit in each subsequent transaction, and
there is no shortage of tenants. Rondo 1 builds new spatial relations, sets a new standard
and quality. But can it be called a masterpiece? Probably not yet. We will likely have to wait
for such office buildings.
Let’s build office buildings
that create or continue
the identity of a place
We sit down with Andrzej M. Chołdzyński, architect; founder and owner of AMC architectural studio, to talk about the
current condition of Polish office architecture
Sienna Towers
