Ms. Karolina Michalak | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Karolina Michalak | Warsaw University of Technology | Poland

Academic Background

Ms. Karolina Michalak is a PhD student at the Doctoral School of the Warsaw University of Technology, specializing in Architecture and Urban Planning. She has authored numerous articles on contemporary developments in construction and architecture, with several publications in leading scientific and technical journals. Her work includes co-authoring research articles published in top-tier journals. Karolina’s research output is documented across major academic platforms, including Scopus and Google Scholar, where her publications have been cited by multiple documents, reflecting her growing influence in the field. She maintains an h-index indicative of consistent scholarly contributions and active engagement in architectural research.

Research Focus

Her research focuses on high-rise construction using mass timber, exploring innovative structural systems and ecological building solutions. She investigates green architecture principles, sustainable materials, and parametric design approaches for modern architectural projects. Karolina is particularly interested in the use of glulam and other timber-based solutions as viable alternatives to traditional concrete structures.

Work Experience

Karolina has contributed to both academic and consultancy projects, integrating practical insights with theoretical research. Her professional engagement includes collaborations with industry partners to explore sustainable construction methods and assess the applicability of timber structures in contemporary high-rise architecture. She has led research initiatives and contributed to project publications, demonstrating expertise in both analysis and implementation.

Key Contributions

Karolina has developed a typology of structural systems for tall timber buildings, analyzing a wide array of constructions to identify dominant solutions and structural limits. Her work highlights the potential for timber to serve as the primary material in both load-bearing and communication cores, offering alternatives to concrete. She has conducted comprehensive assessments of environmental impacts, demonstrating significant reductions in carbon emissions compared to conventional structures. These contributions provide valuable guidance for architects, engineers, and policymakers interested in sustainable urban construction.

Awards & Recognition

Karolina’s innovative research and contributions to sustainable architecture have been recognized through nominations for prestigious awards, reflecting her status as an emerging leader in architectural research.

Professional Roles & Memberships

She actively engages in academic and professional networks related to architecture and construction. Her involvement supports collaboration with peers and dissemination of research findings, although she is yet to hold formal editorial appointments or society memberships.

Profile

Scopus | ORCID | ResearchGate | LinkedIn

Featured Publications

Michalak, K., & Michalak, H. Sustainable Mass Timber Structures—Selected Issues in the Structural Shaping of Tall Buildings. Applied Sciences,

Michalak, K., & Michalak, H. Selected Aspects of Sustainable Construction—Contemporary Opportunities for the Use of Timber in High and High-Rise Buildings. Energies.

Michalak, K., et al. Ecological Solutions in Modern Architecture: Mass Timber Applications in Urban Design. Journal of Architectural Research.

Michalak, K., et al. Parametric Design Approaches for Tall Timber Structures: Optimization and Sustainability. Structural Design Review.

Michalak, K., & Co-authors. Innovative Glulam Applications for High-Rise Timber Buildings: A Global Perspective. Journal of Green Architecture.

Impact Statement / Vision

Karolina’s research aims to redefine sustainable high-rise construction by demonstrating the feasibility of timber as a primary structural material. Her vision integrates ecological responsibility with architectural innovation, providing pathways for greener, more resilient urban environments and inspiring future developments in the field of architecture.