Edward Wójs

Edward Wójs has a passion for the “sacred,” an architectural practice concerned with the design and construction of places of worship. His favourites include La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona by Antoni Gaudí, and the Brion Tomb and Sanctuary by Carlo Scarpa. “They are more than structures,” says Wójs. “They are metaphors for our existence.”

For Wójs, what’s especially exciting about the sacred is the symbolism found within each building. From palm tree columns and triumphal arches to rosette windows, every element is meaningful. Wójs wants his students to apply this level of care and intention to each project that they design, whether it be a church, library or office tower.

To do so, he encourages his students to imagine themselves as the building’s occupants. What kind of experience do they want when they step inside? Spiritual? Thought-provoking? And how can they manifest that through architecture? He also invites them to make use of natural materials such as stone, wood, clay brick and steel. By using them thoughtfully, Wójs says that people’s senses can be enhanced and they can experience joy. “That’s the power of architecture.”