Alexander Smaga RIBA Chartered Architects is proud to announce its submission to the international architectural competition for the new Academy of Fine Arts building in Katowice, Poland.

The proposed six-storey structure is conceived as a dynamic and sustainable hub for artistic education, featuring an energy-saving building envelope tailored to the needs of workshops and classrooms. The design integrates advanced ecological measures to reduce operational carbon footprint while enhancing indoor comfort and creative flexibility.

A standout feature of the façade is the use of Japanese charred wood, known as Shou Sugi Ban, which offers natural fire resistance, durability, and a striking visual identity. This material choice reflects the studio’s commitment to craftsmanship and environmental responsibility, while evoking a poetic dialogue between tradition and innovation.

If you like this initiative you can support our project here: Crowdfunder.co.uk/p/battleofbritain85

In honour of the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, we are building a timeless permanent Polish Air Force Memorial in Kraków exhibit —for you, and for all who value freedom, courage, and remembrance. The design was inspired by the PAF Memorial in Normandy our practice was able to built and unveil for D-DAY 75.

This memorial celebrates the extraordinary contribution of Polish airmen, who made up just 5% of RAF fighter strength but secured 12% of total victories. No. 303 Squadron** became the most successful Allied unit of the campaign, and 29 Polish pilots gave their lives in the Battle of Britain. Through your pledges, we’re transforming these heroic stories into steel—visible, lasting, and educational.

The memorial’s construction is being monitored by AS Architects, a respected international Chartered Practice, ensuring the highest standards of professional oversight and architectural integrity.

A Crowdfunding campaign has been kicked off as part of a community effort to raise funds for the steelworks. Reaching our first milestone—10% of our fundraising goal—will unlock new channels for additional funding, including matched contributions and institutional support.

Hope to see you soon at the opening of the Memorial !

To honour your generosity:  

Pledges of **£10, £20, or £40** will earn a place on our **Plaque of Memory** at the site, and a **limited-edition BoB85 PAF RAF Pin Badge**—a symbol of remembrance and gratitude.  

We are thrilled to announce that we have submitted our design proposal for the prestigious Shaping Water Competition, organized by Dezeen in collaboration with Villeroy & Boch and Ideal Standard. This competition challenges architects and designers to create a large-scale installation that celebrates the essence of water, showcasing its dynamic nature and transformative impact on well-being.

The winning design will be featured at Clerkenwell Design Week, one of London’s most renowned design festivals, taking place from May 20 to May 22, 2025. The installation will be displayed at the historic St John’s Gate in Clerkenwell, a prominent location that adds a touch of heritage to this innovative event.

Attended the “We Are Ukrainians” concert at The London Palladium to show my solidarity with Ukraine.

Hosted by Dame Maureen Lipman and Rula Lenska, the event featured Ukraine’s folkloric ensemble Veryovka and Eurovision winner Jamala. The concert included speeches by Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and Lord Charles Banner KC.

On the occasion of the 3rd anniversary of Russia’s illegal invasion, the concert not only showcased the rich cultural heritage of Ukraine but also supported a noble cause—raising funds for the prosthetics and rehabilitation of war-affected Ukrainians. Kudos to everyone involved and the generous support of the Superhumans Centre charity organization.

Happy to share that AS Architects have submitted a project bid in the Tempelhofer Feld Ideas Competition! 

Tempelhofer Feld in Berlin is no ordinary location; it is a place steeped in history and significance. Once a bustling airfield, it played a vital role during the Berlin Airlift in 1948-1949, when it served as a lifeline for the city’s residents during the Soviet blockade. Today, this vast open space stands as a symbol of freedom and hope, transforming into a vibrant community hub that welcomes everyone.

The competition aims to find innovative and sustainable concepts for the future use of Tempelhofer Feld, improving the quality of life in our city while protecting the environment.

AS Alexander Smaga Architects successfully completed the conceptual design for a museum and bookstore for the POSK culture centre in Hammersmith, London. The new design forms a part of a long expected refurbishment initiative. AS addressed the client’s expectations of a boutique-like museum within the existing fabric of the 1970’s brutalist architecture through a distinctive open design, which combines existing elements, natural timber surfaces and colour coded shapes with state- of-the-art LED lighting.

We are happy to share with you the good news that our design “Lignum Green Timber City” has been shortlisted among the winners and finalists of the “Reimaging of London’s High-Rise Green Spaces” Contest selected by a jury of esteemed judges.

Emerging Architects Redesign Outdoor Urban Life

organised by EnviroBuild

Discover the future of London’s skyline through our exhibition. Innovative Solutions for Urban Living: The exhibition will display the latest trends and ideas in sustainable urban design, showcasing concepts that integrate green spaces in high-density developments using cutting-edge materials and technologies

Exhibition Dates: September 14th – 22nd, 2024

Awards Evening: September 18th from 5.30 pm

Location: EnviroBuild Showroom, 29 Pear Tree St, London EC1V 3AP

Exhibition Hours: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

K-House is a low-energy house tailormade to needs of environmentally conscious dwellers and was designed with reducing the carbon footprint in mind while offering comfort for its user. It is using a variety of solutions for saving energy from photovoltaics, rainwater re-use, heat pumps and geothermic heating to natural cooling.

The project features a three storey low energy sustainable house with a ventilated timber larch wood facade mounted on a timber construction. Windows have got triple glazing and the walls are insulated with a carbon negative insulation system, heat pump, geothermal heating cooling and photovoltaics on the roof to cover half of the energy demand.

This year we are bringing out a special Polish Air Force pin badge for D-DAY80 inspired by our memorial design to promote this valuable history to you all. The silver pin badge is dedicated to the 131st Polish Wing: 302 City of Poznań, 3028 City of Kraków and 317 City of Wilno. During the early hours of D-DAY the Polish Air Force provided low air cover to British and Canadian Forces landing in their beach sectors and troughout the Battle of Normandy in the summer of 1944.

You can support its production here: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/polishpilots-dday80 

‘No turning back’: RIBA study 41% of architects now using AI
Our survey asking members how they are using and plan to use AI has revealed that 41% of UK architects are already using AI on at least the occasional project. Find out more in our AI report.

https://www.architecture.com/knowledge-and-resources/knowledge-landing-page/artificial-intelligence-in-architecture?utm_campaign=Member%20Update%20290224&utm_content=read_more&utm_term=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Adestra

AS Architects are happy to announce that university & science campus design has been added to the new AS portfolio. Picture: ISDA Institute of Digital Sciences Linz design study