DEMIURG is developing a working model in which design and construction form a single, coherent process. By combining architectural and construction expertise, the team has a real influence not only on the concepts but also on the quality and progress of the project’s implementation. For years, the firm has been working within the existing urban fabric, undertaking challenging projects and unlocking the potential of existing structures. This approach demonstrates that, for DEMIURG, architecture does not end with a vision – its true value is only revealed in a well-executed space that meets the needs of its users.
Kamil Białas: Tell us about the company’s early years. What experiences have shaped your approach to design and implementation?
Mikołaj Jankowski: DEMIURG’s early years were a time of consciously shaping the direction in which we wanted to go. From the very start, we were drawn to more challenging projects – those that required not only technical knowledge, but also the ability to analyse the context and anticipate the design implications on many levels. We were bold in our decision-making from the outset, and that is why we are where we are today.
Bartosz Kaczmarek: Our experience of working within the living fabric of the city – on existing buildings, often subject to conservation restrictions – has shaped our approach to design as a responsible process. We realised that architecture and construction are not just about form, but above all about the relationship with the place, its history and the user. It was then that we also learnt how important good organisation and collaboration between the designer and the contractor are; this is now one of the cornerstones of our working model, including for projects carried out by our teams in Wrocław and the Tri-City.
What challenges did the decision to set up our own construction division entail, and what benefits did it bring?
Mikołaj Jankowski: The decision to develop our construction capabilities was a natural consequence of our approach to projects as a holistic process. We wanted to have a real influence not only on the design of buildings, but also on their construction.
Bartosz Kaczmarek: On the one hand, this meant a greater burden – organisational, financial and operational. On the other, it gave us a huge advantage. For the client, this means, above all, peace of mind: one partner, one team, one party responsible for the final result. This eliminates many of the tensions that often arise at the interface between design and construction. Today, we can see that this was a crucial step in establishing our position, one which enabled us to expand into regional markets.
Which moment in DEMIURG’s history do you now regard as a turning point?
Bartosz Kaczmarek: There were severalsuch moments, but one of the most symbolic was the opening of our branch in Wrocław in 2022. It was our first step beyond the Poznań market and, at the same time, confirmation that our business model also works in other, challenging locations. Wrocław very quickly became one of our key areas of development.
Mikołaj Jankowski: Looking back, we can see that this was the moment when our way of thinking about the company changed. We stopped seeing ourselves as merely a local partner and began to build a structure capable of operating in different parts of the country, whilst maintaining the same quality and standard of work. Today, the Tri-City is an equally important area of development for us, where we are consistently building our presence.
Your office is a space designed and built by you yourselves. What aspect of this space best reflects the company’s DNA?
Bartosz Kaczmarek: In a sense,our office is a manifesto of how we understand architecture. It wasn’t about creating a showy space for display, but a place that actually works – it’s functional, flexible and meets the team’s needs. What’s more, we were able to create it with our friends – the mode:lina studio, which was responsible for the interior design. That gave us even greater satisfaction.
Mikołaj Jankowski: It’s a space that reflects our approach to working with the existing structure, with materials and with detail. It combines various functions – it fosters collaboration whilst providing comfort in day-to-day work. In this sense, our office reflects the company’s DNA very well – it is practical and focused on quality that stems from the process, not just the form. Due to the team’s dynamic growth, major changes are on the horizon for us. All we can reveal for now is that, in a few months’ time, the executive department’s headquarters will be located in the very heart of Poznań.
What was the sign that it was the right time to expand our operations to Wrocław and the Tri-City?
Mikołaj Jankowski: It certainly wasn’t a single decision. We were monitoring the market and changes in investor behaviour. Increasingly, our relationships and projects were naturally extending beyond Poznań. Wrocław and the Tri-City were particularly interesting, as they are very dynamic cities, architecturally aware and open to ambitious projects.
Bartosz Kaczmarek: At a certain point, it became clear that the local market was no longer sufficient – both in terms of scale and dynamism. Wrocław was our first choice because it has enormous investment potential and a very mature market. Today, it is one of our most important branches, carrying out challenging and prestigious projects. The Tri-City, in turn, was a natural progression from our earlier experiences. We had already been operating there on a temporary basis, so opening a branch was a logical step. However, it was very important to us not to create mere branches, but strong, local teams rooted in their regions and with a deep understanding of their specific characteristics. The Wrocław branch is managed by Marcin Śniegowski, whilst the Tri-City branch is managed by Katarzyna Kalk. They are both deeply connected to these cities and have a perfect understanding of their character. We believe that it is precisely thanks to such teams that we can build lasting relationships and grow responsibly in these regions.
Which project are you most proud of, if success is measured not by awards but by how it has changed the lives of users and their surroundings?
Mikołaj Jankowski: It’s difficult to single out one project, but Concordia Design in Wrocław is certainly a project that illustrates our approach to construction very well. It’s a development in which we’ve combined the history of the site with modern functionality and contemporary architecture. Furthermore, it provided an opportunity to collaborate with one of the world’s most renowned architectural practices – MVRDV – and with Fokke Moerel, which was an incredibly inspiring experience and an important milestone in our company’s development. Another project that demonstrates our team’s courage is the design of the Polish Antarctic Station. To this day, it still seems a little abstract to me that we took on such a challenge, but I now know it was worth it.
Bartosz Kaczmarek: Above all,we take pridein how these buildings function years on – how they are used by people and how they fit into the fabric of the city. In the case of Concordia, the fact that it was a very difficult and complex redevelopment project, which today has a real impact on life in Wrocław and on the building’s users, was also of immense significance.
Which technical or organisational innovations accelerated the project or improved the quality of its execution?
Bartosz Kaczmarek: Wedo not view innovation solely through the prism of technology. For us, therefore, the greatest change is the development of the ‘design and build’ model and its consistent refinement.
Mikołaj Jankowski: This approach allows us to manage the process more effectively: shortening completion times, reducing risks and increasing the predictability of investments. In practice, this means higher quality and greater security for the investor.
You prefer to adapt an existing building rather than build a completely new one. How do you manage to convince investors to opt for this solution?
Bartosz Kaczmarek: Our role is to demonstrate that refurbishing an existing building can be not only a responsible choice, but also a sound business decision. Location, access to infrastructure and the character of the site are assets that cannot be created from scratch. We are also increasingly focusing on the issues of time and construction costs – today, the construction process is much more difficult than it was just a few years ago, partly due to the limited availability of specialised construction teams and rising labour and material costs.
That is why it is not always worth demolishing everything and building from scratch. In many cases, it proves more effective to make use of the existing fabric and adapt it to new functions. We demonstrate this through specific projects and experiences from our work. A good example is the Vienna Tenement on Podgórna Street, where we retained only the front façade, whilst the demolition and reconstruction of the new structure took over a year and incurred very high costs. Such experiences show investors that retaining parts of the existing building often allows the investment process to be significantly shortened and the budget optimised. Although the construction industry can hardly be considered a fully sustainable sector, we believe that through prudent decisions we can effectively reduce its negative impact and take a more responsible approach to the use of existing resources.
Mikołaj Jankowski: These days, we rarely need to persuade anyone – investors themselves recognise the potential of existing architecture. Clear examples of this are certainly Concordia Design in Wrocław and the tenement building on Wieniawskiego Street in Poznań, which we refurbished for the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences.
If you were to describe an ideal collaboration with an investor, what elements would you consider essential?
Mikołaj Jankowski: Clearly defined parameters arekey – both in terms of the budget and the detailed scope of the project. This allows realistic expectations to be established on both sides right from the start.
Bartosz Kaczmarek: A shared goal, trust and transparent communication areequally important. If the investor and the main contractor operate on the basis of the same priorities and clearly defined areas of responsibility, the entire investment process becomes more predictable and efficient.
In practical terms, what does it mean for the client that you take responsibility for the entire process, from concept to handover of the building?
Bartosz Kaczmarek: For the investor, it means peace of mind above all else. They have a single partner who is responsible for the design, construction, costs and schedule.
Mikołaj Jankowski: We take on the burden of managing the process – from the initial analysis right through to the handover of the facility. This allows the investor to focus on their business, safe in the knowledge that the investment is in good hands.
One final question. How would you like DEMIURG to influence cities and their architecture?
Mikołaj Jankowski: We’d like to see the company with an even stronger presence in key urban centres, with teams that have a real impact on the quality of public spaces.
Bartosz Kaczmarek: But the most important thing is something else – that our projects transform cities even more, in a conscious and responsible way. It’s not just about building new structures, but about wisely transforming what already exists. This is the direction in which we want to consistently develop.
Further information: www.demiurg.com.pl.
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