Architecture Competition Berlin Techno Booth Honorable mention – Fabian De Vriendt, Arnout Stevens and Mathias Spiessens

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to one of our Honorable mention winners for our “Berlin Techno Booth” competition – Fabian De Vriendt, Arnout Stevens and Mathias Spiessens from Belgium!

Fabian De Vriendt, Arnout Stevens and Mathias Spiessens from Belgium

We are three recently graduated engineering architects who studied at Ghent University (Belgium). In 2019 we went on Erasmus exchange to TU Munich (Germany), where our connection became a strong friendship. After returning to our home university, we developed the idea of participating in an architecture competition.

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?

Though we all studied at the same university and chose more or less the same trajectory, we have our personal interests and strengths. One focusses more on the engineering aspects, technical details, and simulations, another one focusses on aesthetics, architectural qualities, and artistic questions. Bringing these different aspects together in one team leads to a holistic design. Large scale design strokes meet small details already in early design stages. Everyone has an equal share in the design and production. Our good friendship makes us understand each other’s thoughts and trust each other’s insights. Knowing the strengths and weaknesses of others, the experience, and specialisations on specific topics, we discuss and overthink every detail. 


The first competition we participated in together was the Legendary Bird Home competition of 2020. This particular competition gave us the opportunity to transpose our attention to detail onto a small scale product design. Getting away with the first prize was something we were only dreaming of back then. It definitely gave us the courage and hunger to participate in more competitions. Afterwards, we participated in the competition ‘a school for Tanzania’ where we amplified our team with two other friends. For the Berlin Techno Booth competition, we scaled down again to the original team of three. Besides these, we’ve all done some competitions by ourselves as well.

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

Architects are the conductors of the society, they are the poets of space, the directors of people's behaviours. They hold the key to connect people with each other. Writers use words to express their thoughts, architects use space. Though people use words to express themselves, silence could be as powerful as words. In the same way, open space is as important as buildings. Architecture shouldn’t be about ‘building quantities’, but about ‘gifting qualities’. Architecture should be humble to the environment, the existing infrastructure, and the society. It should be there for everyone as a connection medium. However, nowadays, architecture has become more complex than ever before. Every generation has their own challenges. It is important to fit the architecture in the current times, but at the same time to prepare our built environment for the future.
“Architecture is the process of turning noise into techno.”

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

Architecture competitions seek out non-traditional solutions, ‘out of the box’ ideas. These sparkling ideas won’t just pop up in the mind, they are the result of a process, researching, reading, talking, thinking, sketching, producing, and constantly questioning own thoughts. This stimulates the imagination and the creative mind. Besides that, it is a lot of fun searching for these solutions when you’re passionate with the craft.

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

What are you waiting for? You ain’t got nothing to lose. “Creativity takes courage,” said Henri Matisse. Just grab the chance, get inspired, tease your creativity. Beautiful things can come with it.

Open architecture competitions

  • Closest Deadline first
  • Project competitions first
    Selected winning projects have the potential to be constructed
  • Ideas competitions first
    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
ideas COMPETITION
Beyond Isolation: Senior Housing
Senior living. Edition#2

Reimagine senior living spaces

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Jun 08
Sep 08
Nov 02
project COMPETITION
The Legendary Highway 14 Tower

Design an iconic tower for De Smet, South Dakota, USA

Prize: MONETARY AWARD + CONSTRUCTION
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Jun 09
Sep 12
Nov 03
project COMPETITION
Iceland Beer Spa

Design a beer spa in Iceland's captivating landscape

Prize: MONETARY AWARD + CONSTRUCTION
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Jun 14
Sep 14
Nov 08
ideas COMPETITION
The Architect's Chair
Edition #1

Take a seat and make a statement!

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Jun 06
Sep 06
Nov 01

Reccuring architecture competitions

ideas COMPETITION
MICROHOME
Small living, huge impact! Edition #6

Design a new concept of small-scale home

Prize: MONETARY AWARD + PUBLICATION IN MAGAZINE
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Feb 16
Apr 18
Jun 16
ideas COMPETITION
Silent contest
For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
The Last Nuclear Bomb Memorial
Edition #3

Design a memorial that speaks to the cause of ending all nuclear weapons programs

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Jun 26
Sep 03
Nov 05
ideas COMPETITION
Silent contest
For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Museum of Emotions
Edition #3

Use architecture to create different emotional states

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Mar 17
May 19
Jul 21
Run repeatedly
Virtual Home
Edition #2

Shape the future of digital living environments

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
May 02
Jul 04
Sep 06
Register now
Run repeatedly
Pavilion Of Humanity: First Contact
Edition #2

How would you represent the best that humanity has to offer through architecture?

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Mar 27
May 25
Jul 24
Register now
Run repeatedly
Silent contest
For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Architectural Visualization Award
Edition #2

Present your best work and submit your favorite architectural visualization

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Mar 23
May 25
Jul 27
Register now
Run repeatedly
Los Angeles Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series #16

Design affordable housing solutions in Los Angeles

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Jun 07
Sep 07
Nov 01
Register now

Creativity gym Short term competitions for you to exercise your creativity

T-SHIRT DRAWING COMPETITION
The Architect's T-shirt
Edition #19

Design THE architect's t-shirt!

Prize: 3,000 €
Eligibility: open to all

registration deadlines

Remind me
May 31
Jun 30
Jul 31
Register now
ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO COMPETITION
THE BUILDNER'S ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO COMPETITION
Edition #4

Submit your online portfolio!

Prize: 5,000 €
Eligibility: open to all

registration deadlines

Remind me
Jun 30
Jul 31
Aug 31
Register now

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Competition results

Hong Kong 
Pixel Homes

Hong Kong Pixel Homes

Affordable Housing Series #2
MICROHOME

MICROHOME

Small living, huge impact! Edition #4

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