Beyond Isolation: Senior Housing Honorable mention winners - Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the Honorable mention winners of our Beyond Isolation: Senior Housing competition – Thiago Biazus Danieleski, Juliana Tojal, Gustavo Azzolini from Brazil!

Thiago Biazus Danieleski, Juliana Tojal, Gustavo Azzolini

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, as a group of students, met in 2019 when we began studying architecture together in the same class at the Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná. From our friendship emerged a strengthening of bonds through our shared interest in architecture, resulting in participation in competitions in 2023. As a team, we are deeply interested in the balance between craftsmanship and industrial modularity as a sustainable solution for creating spaces in Brazil.

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?

Lately, our design focus has been on institutional projects, ranging from medium to large scale, typically with a social purpose, such as urban facilities, schools, and social housing.

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

Architecture is about observing and learning from nature and the built environment. It is about establishing dialogues and understanding the various ways of seeing the world, thus creating syntheses in harmonious materialities with the surrounding environment. It is about falling in love with the environment around us and constantly learning from it. As a consequence of this approach, we can conceive spaces that not only reflect but also shape the social dynamics of the community.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

We believe that competitions are the most democratic exercises in architecture. They are the most honest way to highlight the need for good architectural projects to address the demands of a constantly changing world. Moreover, we think they challenge us, take us out of our comfort zone, and make us more creative.

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

Just like any practice done in a group, we as human beings inherently seek exchange. Exchange of knowledge, moments, laughter, and feelings. We believe that the only way to produce a project with soul is to let them be on the surface throughout the development process. So, have fun!