APA Wojciechowski Architects has become one of the most influential architectural studios in Central and Eastern Europe, known for projects that combine sustainability, urban sensitivity and modern functionality. With developments such as Riverview in Gdańsk, Skyliner in Warsaw, Elektrownia Powiśle and UNIT.City in Kyiv, the practice has built a consistent record of delivering architecture that balances commercial efficiency with social and environmental responsibility.
In this interview, Szymon Wojciechowski – CEO, Co-Owner and Architect-Partner at APA Wojciechowski Architects – discusses how the studio is advancing its sustainability agenda, approaching historic revitalisation, building regional identity into design, anticipating future workplace trends, and scaling its capabilities for large mixed-use urban projects.
APA Wojciechowski’s projects regularly achieve leading environmental certifications, from LEED Gold at Riverview to BREEAM Excellent at The Park Warsaw. According to Wojciechowski, this focus is embedded in the firm’s ethos.
“Sustainable architecture has been deeply ingrained in our studio’s DNA for many years. We are fortunate to collaborate with conscious investors who share our environmentally friendly values, enabling us to grow and strive for excellence in this field.”
He notes that the broadening of certification—from the traditional office and retail sectors into the residential market—is an encouraging shift.
“This is quite optimistic and shows that end users of the apartments also care about living in a healthy environment. Of course, the flagship example of this is the Riverview project, but let’s not forget about mix-use projects such as Elektrownia Powiśle in Warsaw or UNIT.City in Kyiv, which are examples of environmentally friendly developments created in the spirit of the 15-minute city.”
The firm is now aiming even higher on upcoming office schemes.
“When it comes to office projects, together with our clients, we are constantly raising the bar: the Skyliner II and LightOn projects will hold BREEAM certificates at the Outstanding level.”
APA Wojciechowski has gained a reputation for breathing new life into historic industrial sites—from the ongoing transformation of Cukrownia Pruszcz Gdański to the award-winning Elektrownia Powiśle. Revitalisation, Wojciechowski emphasises, demands precision and adaptability.
“We approach each project individually, which is particularly important in the case of historic redevelopment projects. The architect’s vision must incorporate the requirements of the heritage conservator, the client’s expectations, as well as local regulations and commercial standards.”
Preserving authenticity requires strong cooperation between all stakeholders.
“The synergy of all people and companies involved in the project and good cooperation are extremely important, as working on historic properties is often like operating on a living organism. An architect should strive to incorporate the unpredictable into a design. For various reasons, this sometimes requires a specialized approach and ongoing modifications to our vision.”
He sees rising interest in revitalisation across Poland—and not only for century-old buildings.
“We see a growing interest among our clients in revitalization projects in Poland, which is probably due to the large number of success stories to which we have had the honor of contributing. Let’s remember that even relatively new buildings can be given a second life, as exemplified by the V Tower in Warsaw.”
The studio’s Kielecka 2 office building in Gdynia incorporates subtle references to the city’s modernist and maritime heritage, reflected in its façade and form. Wojciechowski explains that such regional accents result from careful research and internal exploration.
“We often try to ‘smuggle’ local accents into the buildings we design, each time preceded by thorough research. One way to confront diverse ideas is through internal architectural competitions within our studio, sometimes within the design team.”
The diversity of the studio shapes this process.
“Thanks to the fact that our team includes people with very different experiences, from different countries, very custom ideas often emerge, which are then confronted with market standards and client expectations.”
Timelessness remains a priority.
“Of course, we also strive to ensure that the design solutions we use are timeless, so that the buildings we design stand the test of time and remain vibrant for many, many years.”
For Kielecka 2, the connection to place emerged naturally.
“Kielecka 2 was designed by our Tricity team, whose office is located in Gdynia – there is nothing more enjoyable than the opportunity to co-create the space that surrounds us. Referencing local modernist and maritime architecture was a natural progression, emerging from the very beginning of our design process. Ultimately, a building was created that enjoys constant recognition among its tenants.
As workplace models shift toward hybrid structures and wellness-led environments, APA Wojciechowski has increasingly prioritized flexibility in its commercial buildings.
“A building’s form cannot be closed, but rather open to permanent changes, short-term forms, and radical spatial transformations. Therefore, the process of creating a design that is as future-proof as possible begins at the earliest design stage.”
Future resilience is considered even for headquarters designed for single tenants.
“Even if our goal is to design a client’s headquarters, we consider various possible scenarios that may arise in the future—for example, the decision to lease the space or part of it commercially.”
Skyliner illustrates this adaptability.
“Taking into account the latest trends that are changing is, of course, one of the next stages of our work. A prime example of flexible design is the Skyliner, whose top floors feature a vibrant event space. And its lobby hosts both business and private meetings.”
Large mixed-use schemes require coordination across many disciplines and stakeholders. Wojciechowski believes these developments represent the next phase of urban evolution.
“Undoubtedly, mixed-use projects that connect multiple industries and engage the community are the future of the real estate market. They require from us a personalized and holistic approach, as well as openness. Openness to people’s needs and the ability to change the initial design concept.”
He notes that architects must increasingly assume broader responsibilities.
“The role of architects extends beyond their usual duties: we must be skillful and responsible project managers.”
Looking ahead, technological advances will reshape the profession.
“While it is difficult to predict the future, we know that innovations, including those in the field of artificial intelligence, will play a significant role in it.”
APA Wojciechowski Architects continues to shape the evolution of Polish and regional architecture through sustainable design, adaptive reuse, contextual sensitivity and forward-thinking workplace concepts. As urban environments grow more complex, the studio’s ability to integrate technical, social and environmental priorities positions it at the forefront of contemporary architectural practice.
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