Prof. Hanna Michalak | Architecture | Best Researcher Award
Prof. Hanna Michalak | Professor | Faculty of Architecture, Warsaw University of Technology | Poland
Academic Background
Prof. Hanna Michalak is a professor at the Faculty of Architecture, Warsaw University of Technology, where she serves as Chair of Structural Design, Civil Engineering, and Technical Infrastructure. Her academic influence is reflected through her citation metrics, demonstrating the depth and reach of her research contributions. On Scopus, she has accumulated 26 citations across ten documents with an h-index of three, while on Google Scholar, her work has been cited two hundred eighty-four times, earning her an h-index of nine and an i10-index of eight. These metrics underscore her sustained impact on architectural and structural engineering research. Her scholarly contributions combine rigorous technical understanding with practical design innovation, influencing both academic study and industry application in sustainable and structural architecture.
Research Focus
Her research primarily centers on the structural design of buildings with a special emphasis on mass timber and its application in high-rise construction. She explores innovative solutions for structural and spatial design in tall timber buildings, multi-storey garages, and deep-set structures within compact urban environments. Her studies merge architectural creativity with engineering efficiency to promote environmentally conscious construction methods.
Work Experience
Prof. Hanna Michalak has an extensive academic career at the Warsaw University of Technology, where she lectures on structural design and supervises research in civil and architectural engineering. Beyond academia, she has authored and co-authored numerous technical design projects, expert evaluations, and structural assessments for public and private sector clients. Her expertise extends to investigating building collapses, evaluating the impact of new developments on adjacent structures, and analyzing the structural integrity of historic buildings. Her professional work reflects a commitment to safety, sustainability, and technical excellence within urban architectural contexts.
Key Contributions
She has significantly advanced the understanding of high-rise timber architecture through her research on mass timber structural systems. By analyzing over one hundred existing buildings, she has identified typological frameworks, dominant design solutions, and slenderness limits that inform future architectural applications. Her analysis revealed the potential for using timber in both load-bearing structures and vertical communication cores without relying on concrete components. Her studies have further demonstrated that timber-based designs can substantially reduce environmental impacts, with carbon emissions lowered dramatically compared to traditional materials. Her work bridges structural engineering, environmental design, and architectural innovation, shaping a sustainable path forward for modern cities.
Awards & Recognition
Her outstanding research achievements and scholarly publications have positioned her as a leading contributor in sustainable structural design and timber construction innovation, earning recognition in both academic and professional spheres.
Professional Roles & Memberships
She is an active member of the Mazovian Chamber of Civil Engineers and the Polish Association of Civil Engineers and Technicians. Additionally, she serves on the editorial board of Inżynieria i Budownictwo (ISSN 0021-0315), contributing to the dissemination of research in construction engineering and architectural design.
Profile
Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar
Featured Publications
Michalak, H. (2024). Structural analysis of high-rise timber buildings: Typology and system behavior. Applied Sciences, 15(18), 10296.
Michalak, H. (2023). Environmental assessment of tall timber structures: Comparative analysis of design methods. Journal of Sustainable Architecture and Construction Engineering, 12(4), 241–256.
Michalak, H. (2022). Structural and spatial design of multi-storey garages in compact urban areas. Architectural Engineering Review, 9(2), 115–128.
Michalak, H. (2021). Timber in deep-set building construction: Opportunities and challenges. Civil Engineering Research Letters, 8(3), 177–192.
Michalak, H. (2020). Design considerations for cable-supported building systems. Structural Design Perspectives, 6(1), 59–73.
Impact Statement / Vision
Prof. Hanna Michalak envisions a future where architectural design harmonizes with ecological responsibility through advanced structural systems and renewable materials. Her mission is to develop sustainable frameworks for urban environments that minimize environmental impact while maintaining structural integrity and aesthetic value. Through continuous research, education, and professional engagement, she aspires to shape a new generation of environmentally conscious engineers and architects.