On November 24, a post-competition Gala was held at Gliwice Airport, featuring an exhibition, announcement of results, and the award ceremony for a competition for architecture students at the Silesian University of Technology. The competition focused on the concept of an air traffic control tower at Gliwice Airport. The competition is organized by the Upper Silesian Market Entrepreneurship Accelerator (GAPR) and the Faculty of Architecture of the Silesian University of Technology (RAr5 Department). The prize pool, funded by GAPR, is PLN 15,000. The competition coordinators were Professor Krzysztof Wodarski (GAPR) and Professor Klaudiusz Fross (FA PŚ). The awards ceremony was graced by the presence of Katarzyna Kuczyńska-Budka, Mayor of Gliwice, and Professor Marek Gzik, Deputy Minister of Science. Thirty-four students in 16 teams participated in the competition. One team submitted two entries (in accordance with the rules). Once again, architecture students demonstrated professionalism, creativity, and talent by creating 17 diverse proposals for an air traffic control tower, striving to meet challenging requirements. The structure was to be a recognizable landmark, distinctive in form, and a modern architectural landmark. The building was to serve as a showcase for the airport and the city, emphasizing their aspirations for development and their importance in the region. The architecture was to be modern, elegant, and timeless. The structure should reflect Gliwice's identity as a city of innovation, boasting the Silesian University of Technology, IT, automation, aviation, and new technologies. To shape the form, the students had to meet detailed technical and functional requirements and meet precise criteria for the intended function. Just reaching the final stage was a significant challenge and distinction. A jury composed of seven specialists, representatives of the Gliwice City Hall (Urban Planning Office), the Silesian Agricultural and Recreation Agency (GAPR), and the Silesian University of Technology, including three pilots, assessed the entries. All entries were presented at a post-competition exhibition. Each participant received a certificate of participation from the Mayor of Gliwice. The Competition winners were:
1st place – Paulina Olschowka, Eng. Arch., Julia Będkowska, Eng. Arch., Daniel Bobrowski
2nd place – Olga Rospondek, Paulina Siudyka, Emilia Słowik
3rd place – Olga Karcz, Aleksandra Matuszna, Kacper Słaboń, Bartosz Śpiewak, Adrianna Wacławczyk
4th place joint – Jakub Ptaszny, Weronika Szafron, Weronika Piechulek, and Julia Stachura
Other participants: Katarzyna Filak, Jakub Nowakowski, Jakub Nobis, Alicja Kwiotkowska, Eng. Arch., Anna Babczyńska, Eng. Arch., Konrad Kruczek, Eng. Arch., Laura Maroń, Eng. Weronika Olesiak, Łukasz Frąc, Aleksandra Mandrysz, Edyta Bończyk, Wiktor Piórko, Magdalena Kończarek, Wojciech Kramza, Aleksander Stachowski, Natalia Borc, Żaklina Mrówka, Wojciech Sobociński, Oliwia Młynek.
Competition Jury:
Dr. DSc, Eng. Jarosław Kozuba, Prof. of the Silesian University of Technology - Director of the Civil Aviation Personnel Training Center for Central and Eastern Europe at the Silesian University of Technology
Dr. DSc, Eng. Krzysztof Wodarski, Prof. of the Silesian University of Technology - President of the General Aviation Agency (GAPR)
Dr. DSc, Eng. Klaudiusz Fross, Prof. of the Silesian University of Technology - Silesian University of Technology
Dr. DSc, Eng. Michał Tomanek, Prof. of the Silesian University of Technology - Silesian University of Technology
Mr. Eng. Roman Kuboś - Gliwice City Planner's Office
Mr. Eng. Architect Agnieszka Szewczyk - GAPR
M.Sc. Engineer Mateusz Żymła - GAPR