Until recently, in Poland, the issue of ecological solutions in building industry was rather neglected by the designers. There were
very few 'eccentric' architects who, from time to time, took it into account. When Poland joined the European Union the situation
changed rapidly. It turned out that “eco”- attitude was so trendy that it gradually influenced different spheres of life, including the
area of architectural design as well. Nowadays, architecture is developing towards fairly modern ecological solutions. The design
that is nature- friendly has become fashionable and has taken a significant part in regular architect's schemes of work. In centrespread
articles of the press one can read about the expected reduction of heating costs, alternative energy sources, as well as
energy- effective or 'zero- energy' homes. More and more attractive have become modern building materials which guarantee
higher maintenance standards and respect the rules of sustainable development. How quickly the changes are being introduced
depends vastly on the so- called ecological policy applied by the political authorities, which- with the time passing- impose on
investors new duties and demands, such as more and more rigorous limits to energy effectiveness of buildings.