PRESS ABOUT US

Our philosophy

At Gray International we believe that:

... quality of living space matters ...

Were it not for the conviction that quality of living space exercises real influence on the life standard of its future users, all efforts expended in its creation would be supercilious. Consequently, no place would ever become special and we would all feel exactly the same, no matter where we went. But it is not so - thanks to our innate sensitivity, we all have our favourite places and are able to differentiate and evaluate.

Spontaneously, we can distinguish between creations that are well-considered, attractive and awe-inspiring, and those rather to the contrary. Such differences are spotted at the easiest when travelling - we see some places as truly magnetic and worth going back to, but some others we would rather wish to forget.

We can see that dreams of living in beautiful surroundings are universal. Hence the conclusion that all investments in beauty bring profits - after all, it is not a matter of coincidence that beautiful places become benchmarks of stability and development. Harmonious urban space design may become a source of inspiration and hope of overcoming inequality, divisions and alienation. Architectural creation may serve as a shelter or an incentive for action and creativity, and give rise to a sense of community and responsibility. It may be a source of spiritual growth.

We believe that the effort put in the creation of attractive and functional urban spaces can also transform their very surroundings. Such places attract people and become catalysts for spontaneous social activity. They also resist time and keep generating new impulses for development.
  

... the opportunity to create space is more than a challenge - it is a responsibility ...

All people are sensitive to the quality of space, but only few can be involved in its actual shaping. From this obvious truth we have drawn a very important conclusion for ourselves: to treat the opportunity to create space not as a right, a benefit or a way of satisfying our own needs, but rather as a mission and expression of responsibility for those deprived of such opportunity.

A popular slogan has it that "Today all people should be urbanists". We see it as a call for cooperation with all people wishing to participate in creating new spaces, and we incorporate it into our work methodology.

In this sense, all people at Gray International are in a way urbanists, even though they may have different occupations. Architects, financiers, lawyers, analysts, commercialization and management specialists, engineers, sociologists and IT experts - we all share the same sense of responsibility, because we participate in something important - creation of new living space. All our achievements are based on trust that could not be earned without an attitude of responsible involvement. In this attitude, individual persons are united into one goal-oriented team. We are aware that our solutions have a major effect on the appearance of cities - therefore, we assess our works not only in the perspective of the coming years, but maybe entire generations.

We think that being an urbanist requires not only talent and skills, but most of all a good measure of humility, because in this field only that which serves others well is of any good.
 

... when you think of space, you have to think of people ...

At Gray International, we believe that if there is a key to dream space, then it must be dialogue with its future users. Therefore, before attempting to create anew the space that will later define somebody's everyday life, we first have to meet the people for whom we will create. We have to see them as our friends, and learn what makes them proud, happy, or anxious. We need to listen to the sounds of public squares, shops and cafes, and walk the streets these people walk every day - so many times that we start to see them through their own eyes. Ask them who they would like to be. Talk to them about their dreams. Feel the responsibility - for them and before them. We believe that trust, intimacy and understanding can only be born when we listen carefully when asking questions, and know how to discuss the answers with mutual respect. Only when the new space becomes special for us too, only when we start to understand its identity and local code, can we begin to create its new shape - so that it reflects the aspirations of people it will eventually serve.
 

... to build is to create bonds ...

The act of building is also an act of creating community. This is reflected in the historic role of the city - polis, which served the purpose of common celebration of public sphere. This is well shown by cities that still inspire awe despite the flow of time. Cities whose greatness rests in abundant public space and in beautiful places and buildings being both the pride and property of all their inhabitants.

We believe that the mission of a good developer should be rooted in this tradition. To be great in this field, one cannot avoid the toil of searching for solutions that combine the need for comfort and beauty with a wider sense of community.

By allowing the concept of community to direct our way of thinking about space, we can see that this direction brings benefits to all. For the success of every project depends on understanding that it does not float in a vacuum. Success has to be measured not only in economic and aesthetical terms, but first of all in terms of community. A truly successful project will enrich its surroundings, integrate the local community and liberate energy for joint action.
 

... good space is never a matter of accident ...

A well-considered city plan shows an impartial and simultaneous care for all its parts, and keeps in mind the growing demands of tomorrow under the pressures of today. It seeks savings in preferring remedial measures over the costs of repair. It is simply a pragmatic and no-nonsense approach.

We think that a truly valuable plan requires both time and effort. We know it necessitates painstaking reconciliation of various needs, and consideration for a number of factors: spatial, economic, legal, social, historic, and cultural. We also know that sound knowledge has to be accompanied by creativity and foresight. At Gray International, we know all this from experience.
 

... today's vision is the shape of tomorrow.

To be a visionary in urban planning is to perceive the city as a common good, and see spatial development in terms of responsibility rather than rights.

To be a visionary is to change urban landscape through the power of ideas.

It means to be an advocate for great public architecture. To prove that social commitment and economic interest can go hand in hand. To teach about the relationship between architecture and quality of life. To see the city as both a gift from the past to be protected, and a laboratory of the future.

To be a visionary is to see the trends of tomorrow but win support for them as early as today.

It is important to be a visionary, but even more important is to turn this vision into reality.

"A city is a place where a small boy as he walks through it, may see something that will tell him what he wants to do his whole life". Louis Kahn

In our continuous efforts to perfect ourselves we has implemented Quality Management Systems which complies with the requirements of ISO 9001:2000. An important part of this System is our Quality Policy, that is presented below.

Gray International Sp. z o. o. Quality Policy

The aim of the Company’s activities is to provide top-quality property development services, and to acquire and implement projects that make our team proud and our clients satisfied.

To reach our target, we use innovative solution for a competitive edge. We work with a transparent structure and sound work assessment criteria. Tasks are given out according to the level of ability and competence, so that each employee has the opportunity to progress and develop their skills. At all structural levels, workers are expected to perform their tasks in an equally responsible manner.
 
In our activities we are consistently guided by the following set of values that identify us as a team and as a company:
- high ethical standards in all kinds of relations: with partners, clients and between company members, 
- openness to initiative and promotion of creative involvement, 
- seeking best possible solutions byway of dialogue and with the participation of all parties involved. 

The Management Board of Gray International Sp. z o. o. undertakes to meet the requirements and continually improve the quality management system, and declares that its employees know, accept and implement the company’s quality policy in practice.