She built a house out of shipping containers. Architect Aldona Banasiuk-Suchorzewska

·25 August 2026

For Aldona Banasiuk-Suchorzewska, design begins where ready-made formulas end. Her interiors combine a bold use of colour, a passion for art and vintage style with timeless materials, and a keen awareness of people’s needs. An architect who has been creating homes, flats and residences tailored to their occupants for many years, she now also shares her experience as an Ambassador for Deante Design Studio. We discuss why a good design begins with attentive listening, the role that details and emotions play in architecture, and why the best interiors do not follow trends but remain true to those who live in them.

You have been designing private interiors – houses, flats and residences – for years. What fascinates you most about creating spaces that become someone’s everyday living environment?

Aldona Banasiuk-Suchorzewska: What fascinates me most is that I’m not just designing interiors, but above all my clients’ everyday lives. A home is the place where we begin and end each day, raise our children, relax and celebrate important moments. A well-designed space has a real impact on quality of life, well-being and relationships between household members.

I like to think of design as creating a setting for life. Aesthetics are very important, but functionality, light, proportions and the emotions evoked by an interior are just as crucial. The moment that gives me the greatest satisfaction is when clients say that, even after several months, they are still discovering just how well everything has been thought through.

You draw inspiration from art, vintage aesthetics and Bauhaus ideas. How do you go about translating these inspirations into contemporary, highly personalised interiors?

Aldona Banasiuk-Suchorzewska: I never copy ready-made solutions. For me, inspiration is a starting point, not an end in itself. Art teaches me to be bold in my use of colour and composition; the Bauhaus reminds me that form should always follow function; and vintage design brings authenticity and timelessness to interiors.

The most interesting results, however, emerge when these influences meet contemporary solutions and the specific needs of an individual. I don’t want to create interiors that look as though they’ve been frozen in a single era. I value contrasts, unexpected combinations and a selection of elements that ensures the whole is cohesive, yet at the same time has an element of surprise. I often combine high-end pieces with more affordable ones, as I believe that the value of an interior does not stem solely from the price of the furnishings, but above all from the ability to create well-thought-out and cohesive compositions. Items with soul, unique accents and solutions that give an interior its character and ensure it remains timeless for years to come play an important role for me. At the same time, every project is a response to the client’s personality and lifestyle, which is why my projects are never mere repetitions of a single template.

Every client brings their own needs, dreams and habits to the project. What does the start of a collaboration look like, and what is most important to you in creating a truly ‘bespoke’ interior?

Aldona Banasiuk-Suchorzewska: The first meeting is, above all, a conversation. Of course, we discuss functionality and budget, but just as important are daily rituals, how time is spent, favourite places, art, travel and even childhood memories. It is often from such seemingly insignificant details that the best ideas emerge.

I always say that a good design starts with the ability to listen. Only when I really get to know the client can I design an interior that will be beautiful, but above all, one that feels natural and comfortable for them.

One of your most recognisable projects was your original container house. Could you tell us more about this project – what were the biggest challenges? What did you learn from this project, and has it influenced the way you approach design today?

Aldona Banasiuk-Suchorzewska: It was a very personal project, as I designed it for my own family. We wanted to see whether it was possible to create a fully-fledged, comfortable and aesthetically pleasing home from what appeared to be a limited structure.

The biggest challenge was thinking about space in a completely different way – every centimetre mattered, and the structure imposed certain constraints. Paradoxically, it was precisely these constraints that stimulated creativity.

This project reinforced my belief that good architecture does not depend on floor area or budget, but on the quality of the idea. To this day, I find myself asking “Is this solution really necessary?” more often than “Does it look impressive?”. I believe that simplicity demands the greatest design discipline.

In your projects, you attach great importance to detail. Are there any elements of the fit-out which – although often underestimated – have the greatest impact on the perception and comfort of an interior?

Aldona Banasiuk-Suchorzewska: Definitely. Most often, these are elements that aren’t noticed at first glance – the proportions of the lighting, the height of worktops, the way cupboards open, the quality of fittings and handles, or carefully selected materials and textures.

It is precisely these details that make an interior intuitive and comfortable. You can create a beautiful visual design, but it is only well-designed details that ensure you will still enjoy living in such an interior after several years. They are what create everyday comfort.

Colour is one of the most powerful tools in interior design. How do you convince your clients that it’s worth venturing beyond the safe palette of whites, beiges and greys?

Aldona Banasiuk-Suchorzewska: I never try to force anyone’s hand. I try to show that colour doesn’t have to mean bold hues on every wall. It can be introduced subtly – through art, fabrics, stone or individual pieces of furniture.

I get the impression that we’re increasingly moving away from interiors that all look the same. Clients are looking for spaces with character and emotion. A well-chosen colour makes an interior more personal, warmer and more memorable. It’s not about following trends, but about finding colours that you really feel at home with.

Your clients also include public figures, such as Agnieszka Kaczorowska. Does designing interiors for well-known people differ from working with other clients? How do you build relationships and trust in such collaborations?

Aldona Banasiuk-Suchorzewska: In truth, every client expects the same thing – trust, discretion and the feeling that they are being listened to. Public figures often value their privacy even more, which is why the designer’s responsibility is particularly great in this context.

I never treat such projects any differently. I try to create an atmosphere of partnership, where the client feels that the project is being developed together. I think that is precisely why many of my collaborations are based on referrals and long-term relationships.

You are an ambassador for Deante Design Studio – a space created with architects and designers in mind. What made you decide to get involved in this project, and how important are spaces today that foster the exchange of experiences, education and networking within the design community?

Aldona Banasiuk-Suchorzewska: In our profession, development doesn’t stop after university. Design is changing very rapidly – new technologies, materials and solutions are emerging – which is why places that facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experience are so important.

That is precisely why I became involved in the Deante Design Studio ambassador programme. I believe that good architecture is created not only at the drawing board, but also through conversation, collaboration and openness to new perspectives. It is a partnership based on dialogue and mutual inspiration. We had the opportunity to attend the trade fair in Milan together, talk to the designers and technologists responsible for product development, learn about the process behind the creation of new collections, and exchange experiences with other architects.

I am part of a small group of designers with whom we regularly discuss design, materials and the challenges of our work. I believe that such relationships are incredibly valuable today, as they allow us to view design from different perspectives and to develop not only through our own projects, but also by sharing experiences.

For me, good collaboration with a manufacturer doesn’t end with selecting a product for a project. The greatest value lies in the opportunity to get to know the people who create it, understand the technology and work together to find the best solutions for clients.

source: press releases