Politechnika Śląska | About the Faculty of Architecture

The Faculty of Architecture at the Silesian University of Technology is one of the 14 faculties of one of the top higher education institutions in Poland and a beneficiary of the “Excellence Initiative – Research University” programme. Furthermore, the Silesian University of Technology also participates in the 'European University' programme as part of the EURECA-PRO project, a global educational centre and an interdisciplinary leader in research and innovation focused on environmental and social development for sustainable consumption and production of goods. Both strategic programmes provide multifaceted development opportunities for the Faculty.

The Faculty of Architecture has been in operation since 1977, continuing the tradition of the Faculty of Architecture at the Lviv Polytechnic. It functions as a structure comprising five departments:

RAr-1 Department of Urban and Spatial Planning
Head of Department: Dr. hab. Eng. Arch. Alina Pancewicz, Prof. of the Silesian University of Technology

RAr-2 Department of Residential and Public Utility Architecture Design
Head of Department: Dr. hab. Eng. Arch. Beata Majerska-Pałubicka, Prof. of the Silesian University of Technology

RAr-3 Department of Theory, Design, and History of Architecture
Head of Department: Prof. Dr. hab. Eng. Arch. Magdalena Żmudzińska-Nowak

RAr-4 Department of Fine and Design Arts
Head of Department: Dr. hab. Eng. Arch. Natalia Bąba-Ciosek, Professor of the Silesian University

RAr-5 Department of Design and Qualitative Research in Architecture
Head of Department: Dr. hab. Eng. Arch. Klaudiusz Fross, Professor of the Silesian University

Currently, the Faculty of Architecture at the Silesian University of Technology boasts experienced teaching and research staff, as well as a well-equipped educational and research infrastructure. According to the Statute and Strategy of the Silesian University of Technology, the Faculty provides education in the following disciplines.

Architecture and Urban Planning,
Fine Arts and Art Conservation.

The Faculty offers first- and second-cycle degree programmes in the fields of Architecture and Interior Architecture, as well as post-graduate programmes in:

Interior Architecture and Design,
Graphic Design,
Project Management for BIM Managers with Elements of Business Psychology.

Education at the Faculty of Architecture is distinguished by its strong emphasis on the practical dimension of the design profession. This is achieved through student internships as well as long-standing experience in project-oriented teaching involving external partners (as part of Project-Based Learning initiatives). An important component of the academic architecture programme is the active involvement of students in scientific and research projects conducted in collaboration with social and economic stakeholders. These projects often culminate in scientific publications, seminars, competitions, and exhibitions.

Accreditations of the Faculty of Architecture:
• Ministry of Education and Science – Scientific Category A in the discipline of Architecture and Urban Planning, 2022
• Polish Accreditation Committee – Certificate of Teaching Excellence in the category "Excellent Program – Excellence in Education" for the Architecture program, 2023
• Polish Accreditation Committee – Outstanding evaluation for the Interior Architecture program, 2024

The Faculty of Architecture holds the right to confer the doctoral degree and, since 2022, also the post-doctoral degree (habilitation).

The Faculty's core mission is to serve as a prestigious European school of architecture that conducts innovative scientific research and development work, while educating highly qualified professionals for society and the economy. This is achieved in close collaboration with social and economic stakeholders.

The Faculty cooperates with numerous international academic institutions, including:
University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, University of Pisa, Technische Universität Dortmund (TUD), Technische Universität Dresden, VSB – Technical University of Ostrava, Brno University of Technology, International University of Catalonia, Sino-Polish University Consortium, Technical University of Crete, Hasselt University, and University of Prishtina.

At the same time, the Faculty of Architecture of the Silesian University of Technology actively collaborates with employers and employers’ organisations, a wide range of scientific partners, enterprises, industry organisations, and national professional associations along with their regional branches. These include the Association of Polish Architects (SARP), the Society of Polish Town Planners (TUP), and the Chamber of Architects of the Republic of Poland (IARP), as well as numerous local government units - particularly with the aim of ensuring the participation of external stakeholders in the teaching process.

Faculty staff participate in research and development projects carried out in cooperation with the socio-economic environment, addressing the future of architecture and urban planning within the paradigm of sustainable development. According to the academic disciplines pursued through scientific research at the Faculty, the work is focused on several key research areas:

In the discipline of Architecture and Urban Planning:

Urban planning and sustainable spatial development (e.g., the relationship between urbanised spaces and blue-green infrastructure, evaluation of the natural environment in cities in the face of climate change, implementing the concept of the sustainable, compact, 15-minute city in urban design);
• Protection and revitalisation of cultural heritage (e.g., heritage of the second half of the twentieth century – its research and preservation, revitalisation of post-industrial buildings and areas, post-industrial heritage of Upper Silesia);
• Contemporary paradigms in architectural design (e.g., new paradigms of architectural design in the era of global and local crises, redefinition of the concept of materiality in architecture in the context of sustainable development and emerging technologies).).

In the discipline of Fine Arts and Conservation of Works of Art:

Creation, perception, and semiotics in interior architecture and art.