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Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

In the green setting of Łazienki Park, the Kingdom of the Netherlands is represented in an building designed by Erick van Egeraat Associated architects. The embassy building is notable for its relative simplicity, its details, its finishing touches and the way it has been decorated. The design was based on the architectural principles of the 17th-century Dutch master builder Tylman van Gameren, whose commissions included Nieborów Palace, Branicki Palace in Białystok and the St Casimir Church in Warsaw. With this, contemporary architecture refers to the long lasting friendly relationship between Poland and the Netherlands.

The Polish public’s approval for the building was demonstrated in 2005 when the embassy won the first prize in that year’s prestigious Życie w Architekturze (life in Architecture) competition. The award not only contributed to the image of the Netherlands in Poland, it also sparked a lively interest in Dutch architecture and design in Poland. For the Dutch, architecture is not only a form of art that can make our surroundings more beautiful. It is a way to emphasize and amplify our values and objectives: sustainable, functional and open. The design of our Embassy building for example is in line with the transparency and accessibility that the Netherlands stand for.

The architectural sector in the Netherlands is the fifth largest in Europe with over 10,000 architects. The cooperation between the client, other parties involved and the architect is typical in the Dutch approach towards architecture and city-planning. It is the network of experts, city planners, NGO’s and other related professionals that together create architecture that is more than a building or a site. It is our experience that bringing people together from different backgrounds results in more creative outcomes. A philosophy that is an important element in our Dutch economic and cultural behavior in general.

The Netherlands is a strong player when it comes to architects working abroad. In general about 3,5% of the turnover of Dutch Architects comes from abroad. For the larger Dutch companies the international market accounts for about 1/3 of their turnover. Dutch architects get 44% of their foreign turnover from outside Europe. What makes Dutch architects so popular worldwide might have to do with the fact that Dutch architects are among the most innovative in the world due to having to work with very limited space, our need for sustainability and problems associated with water.

The Dutch landscape is determined by water. Without strong dikes, 60% of the Netherlands would be regularly flooded. Design measures for water issues and other spatial issues are becoming increasingly intertwined. No wonder, because interventions such as dyke improvements and retaining rainwater have a major impact on the living environment, in cities and in rural areas. Conversely, interventions for urban development, infrastructure, energy supply, nature and agriculture often have major consequences for water safety. Now the sea level is rising and being the most densely populated country in Europe with a need for living space, creating innovative solutions in planning and implementation of urban development taking ‘water’ under consideration is a challenge for the future of the Netherlands.

One might say that the landscape of Poland is not determined by water, and architectural problems differ from the Netherlands. This is true, however, in recent years several Polish towns, such as Warsaw and Gdańsk, were hit by inundations, which were the result not only of rain-induced river flooding, but also of surface runoff generated from sealed surfaces in urban areas. Impermeable roofs, roads and car parks constitute an increasing portion of urban areas.

Designing and implementing sustainable, functional and esthetical urbanistic–architectural concepts, for the sake of living conditions, commercial and recreational use, taking into account environmental aspects and climate change, do not only need inputs from a diverse network of experts and city planners. It also needs consultation with non-government organization, citizens and knowledge institutions, as well as international dialogue and cooperation.

Against this backdrop, the Embassy of the Netherlands is happy to support the 3rd International Conference on Amphibious Architecture, Design and Engineering (ICAADE) 2019, by presenting Mr. Rutger de Graaf, founder of Blue 21, and Koen Olthuis, founder of Waterstudio.nl, who will give a presentation on the conference dedicated to amphibious issues, connected to architecture on the borderline of land and water.

We wish you all a very inspiring conference. To finish with the the words of Ms. Nathalie de Vries, the architect of the buiding “the Baltyk” in Poznan: "Dutch architects do not give you an eye-catcher on order; they give you an answer to a question." Come and see whether that is still true.

https://www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/

Polish Register of Shipping

Polski Rejestr Statków (PRS) is an independent expert institution offering services on the international market. Our mission and main goal is to support companies and institutions in ensuring the safety of people and property and the protection of the natural environment.

We are a Polish classification society and a member of International Association of Classification Societies (IACS). We supervise the design, construction and reconstruction of floating vessels and facilities related to exploitation of water resources.

In addition to a wide range of the offer for the maritime industry we provide services in many other areas. We certify management systems for compliance with the ISO standards (we hold PCA accreditation) and we assess conformity of products with EU regulations and certify welding personnel (we are a notified body in the EC). We conduct technical supervision in the field of cubature and hydrotechnical construction, certification and supervision over the design, construction and operation of offshore platforms and certification of offshore wind energy components. We supervise designing, construction and operation of offshore wind farms as well as energy systems based on renewable energy sources. We perform technical supervision over the construction and operation of roads, highways, bridges, viaducts and related facilities.

Our offer is complemented by organizing training courses on marine engineering and technology, formal and legal requirements (national and EU) and ISO standards.

https://www.prs.pl/

Buoyant Foundation Project

The Buoyant Foundation Project (BFP) is a non-profit based at the University of Waterloo that focuses on amphibious architecture, which allows otherwise-ordinary structures to float on the surface of rising floodwater. Whether working on homes or civic buildings, the BFP aims to safeguard heritage and promote social justice with low-cost, visually unobtrusive retrofits.

The BFP was founded by Dr. Elizabeth English in Louisiana, USA in 2006 to support the recovery of post-Katrina New Orleans’ traditional cultures by providing a strategy for the safe and sustainable restoration of historic housing. She proposed that the city’s traditional elevated wooden shotgun houses could be retrofitted with amphibious foundations to prevent flood damage, acting as an alternative to permanent static elevation that diminishes a neighborhood’s character.

Since then, the BFP’s mission has broadened to apply to numerous other flood-sensitive locations worldwide. The team recently completed four amphibious retrofits in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta using locally familiar carpentry skills, construction techniques, and building materials. They are currently developing prototypes in Ontario with the goal of exploring buoyant foundation retrofits as a potential climate change adaptation strategy for Canadian communities.

The BFP co-initiated the first International Conference on Amphibious Architecture, Design, and Engineering (ICAADE) to convene the world's leading experts in amphibious approaches. The BFP has been proud to be an ongoing partner as the momentum builds around this growing innovative field of investigation.

http://buoyantfoundation.org/

Warsaw University of Technology PhD Council

PhD Student Council of the Warsaw University of Technology represents PhD students of the Warsaw University of
Technology. The main goal of the Council is to support, organize and implement all initiatives which aim to:
– improve the situation of PhD students
– popularize scientific and research achievements and activities of PhD students
– represent PhD students in dealings with the WUT authorities
– help and organize assistance
– respect PhD students rights
– network PhD student community
If you would like to join us to fulfill our goals or you have your own ideas how to improve the situation of WUT PhD student,
please contact your Faculty representatives.
After the registration, the account needs to be activated by an authorized person – a member of PhD Student Council from a
given faculty. A current list of PhD Student Council members is here.

http://www.doktoranci.pw.edu.pl/

Floating Platform System

We are the leader in design and construction of floating systems in central Europe. Our solutions are all original patents and innovative technology.

As the only company in Poland we are certified by the recognized Polish Register of Ships - equally for the design, construction and installation of floating platforms. The Certificate confirms the quality and safety of use of our floating constructions and is also equivalent to globally recognized certificates issued by Lloyd's Register. A wide range of systems and technical solutions allows us to specifically match our offer to the individual needs of our customers and is modern, functional and relatively inexpensive. Our various systems stand out by high resistance to adverse weather conditions, waves and ice along with the functional parameters and plenty of combinations.

We have designed and made over 1000 platforms including:
–        passive floating houses also used as all year homes, company offices in an expressive style or unique hotel suits,
–        modern, climatic bars and restaurants on water,
–        fully equipped yacht pears and harbors,
–        viewing platforms, guaranteeing unforgettable experiences,
–        light recreation platforms watering places and enlargement for existing installations,
–        technical platforms for dredging, piling, winches and pumps.

http://floatingplatformsystem.com/