This prestigious award was given for his design of the Biathlon Stadium at Kubalonka, located in the Beskidy mountains of southern Poland.
This multifunctional structure, humorously called a "James Bond-style" ski center, will position Poland as a potential host for major international ski competitions.
Image: Polish Ministry of Sport/gov.pl
The stadium is poised to become a leading training center for cross-country skiing and biathlon, with state-of-the-art training and accommodation facilities.
Image: Polish Ministry of Sport/gov.pl
Image: Polish Ministry of Sport/gov.pl
This is a second international recognition for Gawęda, the co-founder and chief architect of the Archigeum studio, based near the northern Polish city of Bydgoszcz.
He was recently included in the "Europe 40 Under 40" list for 2023, prepared by the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design in collaboration with the European Centre for Architecture Art Design.
This list recognizes the 40 most promising architects in European architecture as selected by a jury of esteemed experts in the field.
Gawęda commented on the award: "This award is a delightful distinction not only for me but, above all, for the entire design team that we have formed ... Design today is a component of interdisciplinary issues in which the value and strength always rest on the team."
In addition to this, Gawęda has received the "Sports and Leisure Facility of the Year 2023" award for his innovative design of a shielded tunnel on the inrun of the Wielka Krokiew ski jump in the ski resort of Zakopane in Poland's southern Tatra Mountains.
This design addresses the issue of icy and snow-covered tracks, in an effort to enhance safety for ski jumpers.
(rt/gs)
Source: chi-athenaeum.org, thefirstnews.com, archigeum.pl, gov.pl