Blue buildings for a more understanding world

A total of 80 buildings across Poland were illuminated in blue during the event. The ‘Light It Up Blue’ campaign was launched by the American organisation ‘Autism Speaks’ in 2011. Building owners, advisors, managers and investment funds active on the Polish real estate market have been contributing to the campaign for a few years.

“27 buildings managed by our company were illuminated this year. Not only Warsaw was blue, but also Wrocław, Gdańsk, Lublin, Iława and Pabianice,” says Christopher Rasiewicz, a partner and director of the real estate management department at Cushman & Wakefield.

Of the buildings lit up by the campaign’s partners marked the route of a walk under the name of ‘What is this blue colour all about?’ walk through the city. More than 40 walkers, including the families of autistic people, took part in the evening walk around the capital. The route passed buildings such as Mokotowska Square, the National Museum, Astoria Premium Offices, Moniuszki 1a, Jasna 26, the Palace of Culture and Science, Rondo 1, Q22, Atrium International, Atrium Tower, Prime Corporate Center and Warsaw Spire. Real estate companies are also supporting the educational activities of the foundation. In March and April the buildings that took part in the event featured the campaign’s posters and leaflets emblazoned with the slogan: ‘Don’t be Green about Autism. Be Blue in April!’ BNP Paribas Real Estate Poland, Colliers International, Knight Frank and Savills organised workshops with experts from the Synapsis foundation for their employees.

“The ‘Can it be Autism?’ workshop is mostly organised with our employees and their families in mind. Our care for them constitutes a significant part of who we are,” claims Agata Błaszkiewicz, the HR director at Colliers International.

“The word ‘synapsis’ (from the Greek for ‘connection’), reflects the character of our organisation best. Each day since 1989 we have become ever more aware that the people connected with us are our greatest strength. It is thanks to them that we can give autistic people with hope for a better life,” explains Łukasz Kościuczuk of the foundation.

On April 3rd, at the National Museum in Warsaw, representatives of the foundation presented one of the partners of the campaign – Knight Frank – with an honorary ‘Martynka’ statuette for its involvement and long-term support of the initiative. “The Martynka is a symbol of worthwhile, noble and admirable activity. It is a unique award for us. We are very pleased that thanks to our help the Synapsis foundation is able to change the world for autistic people for the better,” says Monika Dębska-Pastakia, the president and a partner of Knight Frank.