We love our day jobs but there’s nothing better than getting away from the world of work to enjoy time out with colleagues in a social setting. The GRADONARCHITECTURE study trip, as we call it, is an annual opportunity for the team to explore a city in Europe. It offers a chance to discover varying cultures and different types of architecture, enriching our design practices. In the past, we’ve visited cities such as Venice, Barcelona, Prague, Belfast, London and Palma, and Kraków was the perfect city to kick off the tradition once again after we’d had to pause it during the COVID pandemic.

Easily accessible from Newcastle Airport, Kraków amazed us with its unique blend of old and new architecture, historic buildings sitting comfortably alongside modern designs in a way that felt refreshingly different from the UK. It’s a fantastic city from a design perspective and we were captivated by the intricacy of the details – even on some of the ornate lampposts which I found particularly interesting – and we were constantly taking photos that could potentially inspire future projects.

During our stay which we did a mixture of things, including a walking tour that saw us take in key landmarks around Kraków, including the castle, the Jewish quarter and Schindler’s Factory – a moving and thought-provoking visit which grounded the trip in the city’s history.

We also went to markets and quaint cafes in little side streets, witnessed the annual parade to celebrate Polish Independence Day – a fantastic way to experience the city’s vibrant culture and sense of pride. In the evenings we sampled the local cuisine, an opportunity to try something new and bond socially with our colleagues, which we rarely get to do in the bustle of everyday working life. The frosty conditions added a cinematic atmosphere to the trip, which was extended by an extra night as heavy fog grounded flights.

Overall, the excursion helped to inform our view of architecture, an industry that requires you to have a broad skillset and knowledge base. In five years’ time we might remember one key fact from the trip which could help us add value to a project we’re working on. It also highlighted the value of working for an employer who’s prepared to go the extra mile to ensure the workforce feels happy and able to develop in their job roles.

By Kayleigh Metcalf, architectural assistant