Champion of the arena

The reaction on learning that Poland and Ukraine had been entrusted with organizing the EURO 2012 football championship was one of wild delight. The opening match is to be held at Warsaw’s National Stadium. But there is one tiny hitch – it doesn’t exist. Several months passed before a location and an architect was chosen. The final nod to went to a Polish-German consortium managed by JSK Architekci in Warsaw. This month’s high flyer is Margiusz Rutz, the president of JSK.

What do you like most and least about doing business in Poland?

I have been living and working in Germany for more than twenty years, but also managing our studio in Warsaw for ten years. I and my partners have also established two other branches, in Wrocław and Sopot. The professional challenge is enormous, but is also a fulfilment of my personal ambitions to bring our international experience to Poland. I regard this as my personal contribution to building a new, free Poland after so many unhappy years of its history.

Who do you most admire in the real estate business?

Those we work with every day, customers who entrust us with designing buildings of value to them and appreciate what we are doing. And we have special feelings for those who have the confidence in us to return with new contracts.

What do you regard as your greatest professional success so far?

Our professional successes include, first and foremost, designing the major projects which have established us a leading architectural company in Germany. The successes we have also registered in Poland were largely due to this. For example, when we won the contracts to design Wrocław and Gdańsk airports and the sports stadium in Wrocław. Obviously our greatest success has been the contract to design the National Stadium.

What contribution do you think you have made to Polish society through your business activities?

We invariably influence society through the buildings we design, particularly when they are public buildings which many people use. Poor architecture is bad for society, while good architecture makes people feel good. And that is why we feel a great responsibility for what we design. It is an indisputable fact that the Polish cities we live in look completely different than they did 18 years ago. The contribution of architects is essential to this process, including from my company.

What is your idea of a perfect day?

Days differ hugely. On one day everything goes as planned, allowing me to go home in the evening with a sense of satisfaction. On another day, however, something happens which we could never have imagined in our wildest dreams.

Which is your favourite building and why?

There are many and I find it hard to say that one is more important than others. But it is impossible to avoid a comparison with Rome’s Colosseum when designing the National Stadium.

Which is your favourite restaurant and why?

I like dropping into ‘Polska Tradycja’ on ul. Belwederska, where I often invite guests - particularly our foreign customers and partners. It is a restaurant which is a rarity in Europe. The climate inside convinces even those most sceptical about doing business in Poland to change their opinion about the country. I also like hanging out in Robert Mielżyński’s wine bar on ul. Burakowski, which is something of a special haunt in Warsaw.

How would you like to be remembered?

In a professional sense, I would like both our customers and those who use the buildings we have designed to remember us as for giving them sound advice during protracted discussions on architectural solutions. That they feel their projects have benefited from both our experience and their own contribution to them.