Architecture & Design 2nd Place

Although it is small in size, the country of Slovakia is rich in springs of natural healing water. Spa culture has been a part of the Slovakian lifestyle for hundreds of years, and has become part of a secular ritual for some. In 1947 a special balneological congress decided to divide the approximately 50 Slovak spa localities into three categories of importance: international importance, national importance and local importance. This project examines the ways in which the architecture of spas allows those establishments to be spaces of ritual and community.

Karol Palka born in 1991, Karol is Assistant professor at the Institute of Artistic Education APS in Warsaw. He graduated Krzysztof Kieślowski Film School, Wajda Film School and the Jan Matejko Academy of Fine Arts. He was awarded a PhD in Fine Arts. His works have received numerous awards at international competitions, just like: Hasselblad Masters, Lensculture, PDN Photo Annual, and shown at many international festivals and exhibitions. His Documentary "Bucolic" had a World Premiere at Locarno International Film Festival.