Published: 16 October 2025
School of Form students design food sharing corner at SWPS University
Author: Magdalena Miszewska
A new food sharing corner at SWPS University in Warsaw invites everyone to share what they have—or take what they need. Designed and built by students from the School of Form, the space helps reduce food waste and spreads zero-waste values across the university and its local community.
Share food, don’t waste it
The idea to create a food sharing corner at SWPS University grew out of care for the environment and a desire to support the local community. What began as a small initiative quickly turned into a collaborative project involving students, faculty, and staff from the Office for Sustainable Development and the Department of Facilities Management. The essence of this project is summed up in a simple motto: “Give, take & enjoy.”
The food sharing corner is a space where surplus food gets a second life. It was established on the principle that no food should ever go to waste. What is unnecessary for one person can be valuable for another. It is a practical response to the pressing global issue of food waste, which affects us all, regardless of our personal circumstances.
Zuzanna Jakubik
Sustainability Manager at SWPS University
While food sharing points are often associated with helping those in need, their main goal is to stop edible food from going to waste. The food sharing corner at SWPS University is open to everyone—students, staff, faculty, and local residents. Anyone can leave products they no longer need or take what others have left behind.
The design process
The design and construction of the food sharing corner were led by Michalina Kaczmarek, Łukasz Machnowski, Olga Plewnicka, and Helena Zdrojewska, Product Design students at the School of Form. Over several months, they developed a concept that combines functionality with aesthetics and fits naturally into the surrounding environment. The nearby library inspired them to add a book exchange shelf to the structure.
One of the team’s main goals was to tailor the design to the genuine needs of its future users. During the early stages of the project, the students noticed that many similar food sharing points tend to be closed off, which can discourage people from using them. Their observations were later confirmed by research conducted by students of the School of Ideas program at SWPS University.
Research conducted by School of Ideas students showed that many people feel uneasy about using food sharing points. They often have concerns about the freshness of the food and what might be hidden behind tightly closed cabinets or fridges. That is why we decided to use sliding panels, large openings, and a transparent fridge. This way, users can easily see what is available before they choose to take or donate items.
Michalina Kaczmarek, Łukasz Machnowski, Olga Plewnicka i Helena Zdrojewska
School of Form students
The furniture was built from birch plywood and Boomplastic—a material made entirely from recycled plastic and fully recyclable itself. This choice kept the project circular and aligned with the principles of sustainable design.
Working on the food sharing corner gave the students a hands-on design experience—from budgeting and planning to assembling the finished structure. The process demanded teamwork, flexibility, and creative problem-solving to overcome technical challenges.
We could not have accomplished this project without the continuous support from the team of our Woodworking Workshop—Szymon Pasierb and Zosia Parzych. Thanks to their assistance, we were able to solve all the technical and aesthetic issues and build a solid food sharing corner that, we hope, will serve both the university community and the residents of the Kamionek district.
Michalina Kaczmarek, Łukasz Machnowski, Olga Plewnicka i Helena Zdrojewska
School of Form students
See how the food sharing corner was built
Visual identity of a location
While the School of Form team was working on the furniture, Wiktoria Kurzawa, a Graphic Design student at SWPS University in Wrocław, developed the project’s visual identity.
Her starting point was the Polish word for a food sharing corner, jadłodzielnia—specifically its second part, dzielnia, which could be roughly translated to “place for sharing”. This became the conceptual foundation of the visual identity system.
Sharing was the main idea behind the project, and it is reflected in shapes inspired by division. The food element, also present in the name, was translated into other graphic elements used in the system. I wanted the logotype to be asymmetrical to represent social inequalities tied to one of the fundamental human needs: access to food.
Wiktoria Kurzawa
Graphic Design student at SWPS University in Wrocław
The visual identity system includes a logotype, an LED sign that reads “Give, take & enjoy,” posters, floor stickers, and directional signage. The sign is visible from a distance, catching the eye, while the wayfinding system helps visitors unfamiliar with the campus locate the food sharing corner. The main color is orange—chosen, as Wiktoria explains, for its natural connection with food.
This project was a dream come true. I have always wanted to create something that genuinely helps people—something tangible and visible that also reflects the essence of its location. Each of my ideas was met with enthusiasm, for which I am deeply grateful to the whole team. I would also like to thank Julia Danielska for creating the animations that became the finishing touch of the project.
Wiktoria Kurzawa
Graphic Design student at SWPS University in Wrocław
See photos from the opening
Project team
Design and construction:
- School of Form students: Michalina Kaczmarek, Łukasz Machnowski, Olga Plewnicka i Helena Zdrojewska
- Support: Szymon Pasierb i Zofia Parzych, Woodworking Workshop
Visual identity:
- Wiktoria Kurzawa, Graphic Design student at SWPS University'sFaculty of Law and Communication in Wrocław
Animations:
- Julia Danielska, Graphic Design student at SWPS University's Faculty of Law and Communication in Wrocław
Research and concept analysis:
- School of Ideas students at SWPS University's Faculty of Humanities in Warsaw
- Lecturers: Michał Szewczyk i Grzegorz Młynarski
Project supervision:
- Zuzanna Jakubik, Sustainability Manager at SWPS University
- Rafał Furtak, Director of Facilites Management at SWPS University
- Jolanta Starzak, Coordinator of the Design program at the School of Form
- Anna Krudowska, Sustainability Officer
- Martyna Obarska, Coordinator of the School of Ideas program at SWPS University