Architecture of understanding the context

Housing architecture is currently undergoing a significant transformation, a key element of which is customers' growing awareness of climate change. More and more people are realising that the design of living space requires not only aesthetics, but also a deep understanding of the context, both historical and natural. Contemporary architecture faces the challenge of combining advanced design thinking with deep respect for both the user and the environment.

Architecture should balance the user's requirements with the characteristics of the place, creating a space that is not only in line with the investor's expectations, but also fully respects the surrounding environment. The design offices that can harmoniously integrate their projects into the local environment and respond to the individual needs of the residents are gaining more and more recognition.

In Poland, one such office is IFAgroup in the coastal town of Gdynia, founded by Kamil Domachowski. His work combines a craftsman-like approach with innovative solutions that take into account the subtle integration of projects into the environment. This approach has been recognised by ‘The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies’ and ‘The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design’, by including Kamil Domachowski on the list of the 40 most promising European architects under 40.

This year, you were included in the ‘40 under 40’ list, which is a list of the 40 most promising European architects under 40. It is certainly a great honour, and I would like to congratulate you on this. I guess it is also a nice gift for your company, as it is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. How do you rate this moment in your career?

Kamil Domachowski: “It is an important distinction and I think it is an important moment, especially in the context of our 10th anniversary. The company started its operations in 2014, and since then we have been constantly developing. Currently, our team consists of 12 architects, and we cooperate with about 25 people from the construction industry in the implementation of projects. We have managed to create something special over the past 10 years and I am delighted this milestone in our history has been recognised with such an award. Our approach to work has always been strongly focused on individual projects, on small buildings. Instead of getting involved in large development projects, we have focused on smaller projects that allow us to be more precise and pay more attention to detail.”

“On a daily basis, we focus on designing houses that are precisely integrated into the plots and tailored to the individual needs of our clients. Working on a smaller scale gives us better control over the projects and allows us to create truly personalised spaces. This approach allows us to create architecture that not only meets the expectations of investors, but also fits in harmoniously with the context and surroundings.”

Looking at your projects, it seems that you are currently working with the ideal client: one who is aware of and identifies with the style of your work and values. Has it always been like that?

“What has changed over the past 10 years is that we have indeed managed to build credibility and trust, which is very important in our relationships with investors. When we set up the office a decade ago, the project implementation process was long and challenging. The first projects only entered the implementation phase after about 5 years, and the construction phase took another 2 to 3 years. Now, in retrospect, we can see that these projects are starting to bear fruit, which has been visible on the market for the last 3 to 4 years. It was during this period that investors started to notice us, approaching us with new orders, often recommending our services to their friends. As a result, our portfolio is growing rapidly, and completed projects are starting to be published and recognised.”

“Increasingly, the clients for whom we have designed a house come back to us with further orders, both for themselves and their loved ones. This is encouraging because it means that our approach and design philosophy are being received well. Recently, there has been an increasing emphasis on circular architecture and ecology, which is also close to our practice. An example of this approach is the design of a house in Kociewie, which we implemented with great attention to the surroundings and sustainable solutions. This shows that architecture does not have to be monumental to be significant. The key is to embed the building in its context and demonstrate care for the environment.”

The perfect example is your house in Kociewie, which not only blends in perfectly with its surroundings, but actually, looking at the garage, it also begins to blend in with nature, harmonising with it.

“The house is located in a small village in Kociewie, on a plot of 8,000 m². The surrounding plots are a lot smaller, around 600 to 700 m², which means that the local houses are kept in proportions characteristic of small Kociewie buildings. The investor initially had a vision of a large barn in the centre of the plot, but after considering the ecological context and local buildings, we proposed moving the house closer to the road. This way, we avoided the plot being degraded by the construction of a long access road and a large building in its centre. We used recycled materials in the project, such as the wooden facade, which was provided by a local supplier.”

“Faced with difficulties related to the building conditions, which did not allow for a flat roof, we arranged the upper part of the house as a terrace, which was finally approved by the local authorities. To get approval for this solution, we created a model of the building and invited representatives of the municipality to show how the project fits harmoniously into the landscape and respects local conditions. And it actually worked. During the implementation of this project, we tried to make sure that the house not only fits into the local landscape, but also adds value to the surroundings. It often happens that new buildings do not harmonise with their surroundings. We wanted to balance the proportions of this house so that it looked like part of the local architecture.”

“In our daily work, it is very important that we ‘do not spoil the environment’ and this has basically become our motto. We try to avoid designing large, iconic forms that can overwhelm the place they are in. We prefer to focus on activities that really affect the quality of space and harmonise with the surroundings. In terms of materials, we used reclaimed wood, which was in line with the idea of sustainable construction.”

You also specialise in the adaptation of historic buildings, which is an extremely important part of contemporary architecture, especially in the context of trying as often as possible to use existing architecture to transform its role and value for users. Your portfolio shows that this topic is quite close to your heart... The dental clinic in the coastal town Gdańsk or the ‘Reconstruction and extension of a tenement house in Sopot’ are probably the best proof of this...

“As for the clinic, the building we constructed is part of a larger garrison complex, where there were originally four granary modules arranged in a row. Only the middle module remained, which has survived despite the lack of any architectural value apart from the front pilasters, which are under conservation protection. We completely transformed the interior of the building, adapting the volume and technology to the requirements of a modern dental clinic. The building houses 16 dental and treatment rooms, and the building itself is an example of careful renovation that preserves the historical character of the place. The key objective of the project was to create a space that does not resemble a traditional dental practice, but rather a luxurious hotel lobby.”

“We wanted patients to feel comfortable and be able to relax. The offices are arranged around a central space, which functions as an entrance area, illuminated by natural light. This space also houses a conference room, which raises the status of the building, becoming a place for training and meetings for doctors. In addition, the clinic organises regular concerts and art exhibitions several times a week, which is an added value for both doctors and patients. The interior is finished with brick originally from this building, which introduces recycling elements into the design. The original front facade was also preserved, and the building was extended on the service side, which increases its functionality.”

“The project of extension and reconstruction of a tenement house in Sopot (seaside resort city on the southern coast of the Baltic Sea in northern Poland, Ed.), with is an ideal example of where modernity meets history. In the building from 1900, we managed to introduce modern concrete elements, which create an interesting synthesis with the existing, historical architecture. Concrete, as one of the most contemporary materials, was used to create contrast while respecting the original form. In addition, we used details that refer to the original structure of the building. For example, we made a recess in the concrete, reflecting the plinth of the historic building, and we also accentuated the upper elements. This approach allows us to harmoniously combine the old with the new, creating a building that is a compromise between tradition and modernity. Although concrete may not be considered the most ecological material, its use offers great design possibilities. Thanks to the large spans of the ceilings, the interior has become spacious and flexible, allowing for any arrangement of space.”

Today, there is a lot of talk about ecology and recycled materials. What is your approach to sustainable design?

“It is not possible to use renewable materials in all projects, and although it is an important aspect, it should not be the only design guideline. I think it is worth approaching the topic from scratch, taking a few steps back. The most important thing is to first create the right form of the building and optimise the functional programme. It often happens that the investor comes up with an idea for a house with an area of 600 to 800 m², and we are able to suggest that 550 m² will be fully sufficient. This in itself is a form of optimisation.”

“The opposite approach, i.e. first designing a large-scale ecological building and then choosing materials such as wood or recycled facades, is a completely different approach. This approach often misses the point. The key is to understand the context in which the building is being constructed and to optimise the design process. If it is possible to use renewable and environmentally friendly materials later on, that's great, but you always have to consider whether it really makes sense for a particular project.”

You often emphasise how important close contact with the investor and working on models is for you. While other offices try to avoid this stage, it is extremely important and crucial for you, allowing you to understand the architecture to be created, but I guess it also teaches you to be mindful...

“It is true that direct contact with the investor is key for us, as well as, of course, an accurate understanding of their needs. People come to us mainly on recommendation, often after seeing our completed projects or reading publications about them. This gives us the luxury of choosing the projects that suit us best, because we want to have full control over every detail. We are not interested in mass orders, such as the construction of industrial halls or large apartment buildings. Instead, we focus on ‘sculpting’ smaller, more individual forms. As you have noticed in our work, models are very important. We build models of the surroundings and analyse them together with the investor, showing different variants and solutions.”

“An example of this approach is the house in Iława that we worked on. Thanks to this method, the client can see how their future home will function in a given context, which allows us to work together to refine every aspect of the project. Thanks to the model, we can analyse and play with the design. The key here is to approach the project intuitively and simply, as if looking at it through the eyes of a child. The idea is that those first, conceptual ideas are honest and natural. If something is important, it should be emphasised. This kind of simple, consistent thinking can lead to a form that is both coherent and attractive. And that was the case with this particular house. Its location in a diverse environment, where we find every type of roof - gabled, parallel, perpendicular to the street - prompted us to create a certain synthesis.”

“The house is a response to the diverse environment, incorporating various elements that harmonise with its surroundings. The plot is very narrow, so we had to approach it with great care. Placing the garage at the front of the plot so as not to penetrate it deeply and moving the house as far to the left as possible, towards the river, was crucial in this case. This created a clean shape, and the space between the house and the garage was transformed into a patio, which becomes the focal point of the entire design. It is this simplicity and logic of creation, based on the simplest decisions, that allows projects to become something special.”

You talk about architecture in a way that makes you feel like you know every little detail of the project. It is clear that every element is carefully thought out and there is no such thing as a coincidence.

“Working with a model personally gives me an amazing feeling, as if I were Gulliver and could see everything from a bird's eye view. I feel like I have an impact on the shape and direction of what is to come. Having this kind of power makes it easier to argue with the investor why a particular shape or solution is the right one. You can use the model to show different options and convince clients that certain approaches don't work or are too big, which could disrupt the harmony of the space. This makes the design process more conscious and results in buildings that blend in harmoniously with their surroundings and are a delight to behold.”

I hope that this approach to residential architecture will also inspire other studios, and that is what I wish for us all.