Stefan Kuryłowicz Polish architect, died from a plane crash he was , 62,

Stefan Marian Kuryłowicz was a Polish architect and professor who is widely credited with transforming the architecture and skyline of Warsaw, Poland, in the twenty years following the collapse of Communism in 1989 died from a plane crash he was , 62, Media reports have called Kuryłowicz "one of the most influential Polish architects." He and the late architect Jacek Syropolski created the architectural firm, Kurylowicz & Associates.
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(March 26, 1949 - June 6, 2011)


Kuryłowicz was born in Warsaw in 1949.^[1] He earned a degree in architecture from the Warsaw University of Technology in 1972.^[1] He opened an architectural studio in 1983 during an era when the Communist-ruled government of the People's Republic of Poland openly discouraged free expression and creativity.^[1]
The end of Communist rule in Poland in 1989 left Warsaw and other cities with littered wuth unimaginative, Communist-era buildings and other structures.^[1] Kuryłowicz and his associate architects began designing and constructing a series of new, modern building throughout Warsaw over the next two decades, largely transforming parts of the Warsaw,^[1] as well as other cities, such as Gdańsk. His style of modern architecture initially attracted some criticism, but Kurylowicz's critics faded as his buildings were constructed.^[1] Kurylowicz's projects included commercial, industrial and residential buildings. His work has been credited with modernizing Warsaw during the post-Communist era. Jerzy Grochulski, the president of the Association of Polish Architects, said of Kurylowicz, "He helped shape the way Warsaw looks today."^[1] Kuryłowicz's firm is currently constructing a municipal studio in Białystok and the Wolf Bracka department store.^[2]
In addition to his architectural practice, Kuryłowicz taught architecture at Warsaw University of Technology and served as the deputy leader of the Association of Polish Architects.^[1] He was also picked as one of the international architects chosen to oversee renovations on the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.^[1]
Stefan Kuryłowicz died in a small plane crash in Asturias, northern Spain, on June 6, 2011, at the age of 62.^[1] Kuryłowicz was flying in a convoy of three small planes enroute from San Sebastián, Spain, to the Portuguese town of Vilar de Luz, near Porto, when the accident occurred.^[1] The planes encountered inclement weather, including rain and foggy, during the flight.^[1] One plane crashed into a parking lot at an airport in Asturias, while the second plane crashed into a hill near the same airport.^[1][3] Kurylowicz, his associate architect Jacek Syropolski, and two other people were killed in the accident.^[1] The third airplane, carrying two people, landed safely at airport in Santander, Cantabria.^[1]
Kuryłowicz was survived by his wife, Ewa Kuryłowicz, a board member of his architectural firm, and two sons.^[1]

 

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