POLAND
Date: November 28 · 2024
November 28 · 2024
Introduction
On 28th November, Roca One Day Design Challenge held its 5th edition in Poland at the University Library in Warsaw and online. 400 students, young designers, and architects took on the challenge of designing an innovative bathroom solution. The creative energy and commitment of the participants resulted in exceptional projects, from which the competition Jury selected the best works.
The theme of the competition emphasized the possibility of using the bathroom through all the senses. The task was to design an innovative solution that supports the personal well-being of the bathroom user. This could be a product, detail, element, or set for the bathroom space, enriching daily care rituals in this room. The details of the challenge were announced on the day of the event, and participants could carry out projects working individually or in two-person teams.
After reviewing all entries, Jury selected four best projects. Maria Grądzka, a student at the Polish-Japanese Academy of Information Technology, won first place and a prize of €3000 for her project PUNCTURE PLATES. This is a collection of ceramic circles inspired by traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture, designed to promote well-being through self-massage, while combining functionality and aesthetics in the bathroom. In their justification, the jurors appreciated the feasibility and market potential of the product, as well as the unique presentation of the ceramic, sensory circles.
The second place and a prize of €2000 was awarded to the team of Maciej Solarek, a product designer at KABO & PYDO studio and Barnaba Perepłyś, a graduate of the Faculty of Design at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw in 2024. They created TheraStones – a stand with ceramic heating stones that transform the bathroom into a home mini SPA. It aims to support well-being and provide a moment of relief from everyday stress. The Jury highlighted that the project has the characteristics of magical objects used in SPA spaces. It is an easy-to-implement solution, very well graphically designed, and distinguished by design culture.
The third place and a prize of €1000 was awarded to the team of Katarzyna Milewska and Adam Dziedzic, students of the Faculty of Architecture at the Warsaw University of Technology, who prepared rituAll – a project providing relaxation for the body and mind, combining aromatherapy, light therapy, and sensory elements. According to the Jury the project stand out for its combination of aesthetic qualities and clever technical solution. It is an innovative approach that also addresses the important issue of energy savings.
As part of the competition, a special prize was also awarded for the best project prepared by participants on-site, at the University Library in Warsaw. The team of Franciszek Rząsa, a student at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw, and Antoni Bereszyński, a freelancer, was awarded an iPad for their project KAP. The project fits into the trend of radical creativity and cleverly transforms the nightmare of many sleepless nights, i.e., a dripping faucet, into a well-being experience.
Awarded projects
Jury
Joanna Dec-Galuk
Graduated from the University of Silesia, the Institute of the English Language and Translation Studies and Katowice School of Economics. Since then, she has developed her professional carrier in the fields of Product, Marketing, and Communication. She has worked for a few multinational companies in interior design and construction sector. She joint Roca team as Product Manager in 2011; the same year she took over the Product and Marketing department.
Karolina Janczy
Interior designer, academic lecturer, set designer, theatrical costume and applied arts designer, visual arts artist. But most importantly – a painter – out of true passion. Graduate of the Jan Matejko Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow. For 20 years, she has been running her own design office, Janczy Studio, carrying out commercial and individual interior projects in the country and around the world. Her work is distinguished by a comprehensive approach to investment service – from design, through implementation, supervision, and consultancy. The furniture she designs is distinguished by the rawness of the material and timeless design, gaining recognition in Europe, the United States, and Dubai. Her second incarnation is portrait painting, depicting everyday life scenes filled with nostalgic thought embodied in man.
Tomek Pydo
Product Designer, co-founder of the interdisciplinary design studio KABO & PYDO. The studio specializes in product, service, and visual communication design, as well as developing product and service strategies across various industries. Tomek is a graduate of the Faculty of Design at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw. He has also completed courses in entrepreneurship and strategy at Kozminski University. He prefers teamwork, which is why he co-founded and continues to develop an internal design team with Katarzyna Kabo. Tomek views design as a tool for achieving business goals and meeting user needs. In every design process, he seeks innovative solutions. He values sustainable development, relationships with people, intangible values, and the social aspects of products. Through his work, he aims to improve the environment for humans, animals, and plants. The studio has won numerous awards, including Red Dot (x12), IF Design (x5), German Design Award Gold, German Design Award, Dobry Wzór (x6), Must Have (x18), Good Design (Australia), Top Design (x4), LIT Design Awards, and Designer Glass Competition. Personally, he is an advocate of an ecological and natural lifestyle. He loves all kinds of sports and walks, especially mountain hikes. He strives for harmony in every aspect of his life and work.
Maciej Stefański
Industrial designer. Graduate of the Faculty of Design at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw. Master's degree obtained in 2010, PhD in Art in 2022.
In his design practice he works mainly with the plastic processing industry, where he gained vast experience in designing everyday objects that are implemented and later distributed all over the world.
He also designs exhibition spaces. This area of expertise enables him to artistically interpret the script but also to implement multiple small designs.
Since 2013 he co-creates Handsome Studio with Dorota Skalska-Stefańska.
Additionally, he runs the Technology and Modeling Class at the Faculty of Design in Warsaw.
He is an engaged design community member, serving as Board Member of the Association of Industrial Designers.
Bibianna Stein-Ostaszewska
Bibianna Stein-Ostaszewska is a graduate of the Faculty of Interior Design at the Jan Matejko Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow and the legendary Antoni Kenar State High School of Fine Arts in Zakopane. She is a co-founder of the Association of Interior Designers (SAW) and a member of its Program Council. She runs Bibi Space, her design studio, whose portfolio includes interior designs of elegant apartments and houses as well as popular Warsaw restaurants co-designed with Ela Kita, including Kieliszki na Próżnej, Butchery & Wine, Koneser Grill, six of which have featured in the Michelin Guide. She combines artistic vision with solid craftsmanship shaped by her nuanced professional experience. She pays attention to proportions, striving for harmony, both in the interiors she creates and in life. Her goal is to ensure that time does not diminish the essence of a project design. Apart from her creativity, her clients highly regard her passion, energy, and sensitivity.
Gosia Rygalik
Designer, active in the fields of education and culture. She graduated from the Design Department at Warsaw’s Academy of Fine Arts, and also studied at Danmarks Designskole, gaining her first professional design experiences in Copenhagen. During her studies she was a member of the PG13 platform – responding to experimental design briefs, exhibiting, organizing and taking part in design workshops and competitions as well as industry supported projects. In 2009 she joined Studio Rygalik to become a partner in 2012. She created the 3D Design course at Akademeia High School. President of Sobole foundation engaged in design and culture, co-founder of the interdisciplinary community Design Nature and the creative campus in Sobole.