Architectural Visualization Award prize winner - Cason Micallef and Liam Fujita

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the Honorable mention winners of our "Architectural Visualization Award / Edition #2" competition – Cason Micallef and Liam Fujita from Canada!

 
Cason Micallef and Liam Fujita

Please tell us about your company (when it was founded, where it is based, how many employees, etc) Alternatively, if you do not have a company, please give us some insights on your own professional/academia background.

We are Architectural Science (BArchSc) students currently studying at Toronto Metropolitan University. Being located in Toronto exposes us to diverse styles and scales, which helps in developing our architectural vocabulary.

Brief information about the projects that you/your company have been involved with. For instance, what scale have you focused on/preferred, any significant projects where the company/ individuals have been Involved?

Throughout our academic careers, we have focused on large-scale public projects. Within these larger-scale projects, we apply the knowledge gained through a wide range of courses aimed at providing us with the technical skills required to complete such a project. This competition allowed for the opportunity to shift our focus back to a smaller-scale design, carrying the same technical skills we have gained and applying them to a different type of occupant.

What does architecture mean to you and what is the role of an architect in your society?

Architecture is a constant learning process, where we are continuously evolving to impact our communities and cities positively. As Architectural Science students, we know the importance of responding to the local context and given program. The architect’s purpose is to connect the built form to the scale of its occupant, creating a sense of harmony between the two. It is the task of rekindling the human body with the built world, especially as we progress into a technologically dominant society. Architecture will help tether the haptic connections needed between the human body and object.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

Architectural competitions offer a chance to explore various scales and usage typologies. They provide an opportunity to unleash your creativity while tackling new and unfamiliar challenges. Competitions serve as a tool for self-expression and growth within architecture, allowing us to apply our learned knowledge to different briefs and scenarios, continuously challenging our own ideas.

What advice would you give to individuals who struggle to decide whether it would be beneficial for them to participate in architecture competitions?

Go for it! Competitions give you the chance to collaborate with peers you may not otherwise work with, opening up opportunities to share your knowledge and develop new ideas through different perspectives within architecture and design.