description A "Ready-made project" or a unique project? To build with an architect, or based on a catalog? Behind this dialogue lies one fundamental question: Do we need Architects? Criticism comes from both sides, while architects claim lack of freedom, imagination and taste, clients criticize high prices and non standard solutions. Despite this, one must consider the deeper source of the problem. What are the real consequences of the uncontrolled increasement of catalog houses? What does it lead to? Has the idea and methodology of intelligent, functional, catalog homes been suppressed? The history of catalog homes has a coherent concept neglected by clients and architects. In 1915, the first catalog projects were introduced in United States. The projects were based on simple construction tradition. Identical materials and solutions were used to maintain architectural continuity, shaping urban form and creating cohesion. They refer to local aesthetic values to preserve the existing architectural differences. Newly growing settlements have become analogous with the concept of the "American Dream". More than 53% of Polish people live in single-family houses. The General Office of Building Control in Poland issued 83 thousand permits for construction in 2016. Due to the high price of acquiring and building properties in urban areas, most homes are built in rural areas - 57.3%. In 75% form of construction was an economic system, independent coordination of construction work. Three quarters of the investments being made are bases on the “catalog homes” model. The list of catalog homes available in Poland is around 9700. Poland has been a country of many nations, cultures and religions for hundreds of years. Regional diversity is very strongly present in Polish architecture, especially in rural areas - red brick huts in Mazury and lime in the Świętokrzyskie region. We are all heirs of culture created since the beginning of the Polish state by many nations, whose representatives lived in the changing borders of our country. The aim of the exhibition is to make visitors aware of the real problems and consequences of catalog houses. Will the mere existence of catalog houses show a deeper problem of construction and architecture in Poland? Will the architects understand that the problem is not just about customer taste and establish real dialogue? When will we realize the beauty of local solutions? Will we understand that what we protect and create today will be the legacy of tomorrow?
