Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2024 competition Honorable mention winner in the Small Scale category - Emmanuele Bortone

We’d like to take this opportunity to introduce the Honorable Mention winner in the Small Scale category of our "Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2024" competition – Emmanuele Bortone from Italy!

Emmanuele Bortone

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.

I am a young Italian architect living and working in Tuscany. I graduated from the University of Florence and later obtained a master's degree in museum design and exhibition design. After some important professional experiences within architectural firms, I am currently engaged in projects and collaborations involving small- and medium-scale interventions.

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?

I am particularly attracted to small-scale projects and the relationship/interaction with its users and its context. I am interested in investigating the potential of architectonic space as a vehicle for emotions, feelings and experiences that transcend the limits of physical space.

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

Architecture for me is the synthesis of the needs of our lives translated into space. The architect is the key figure who guides the creative process of transforming the land. He therefore plays a fundamental and at the same time a very delicate role within society, as his work has a direct impact on people's well-being, emotions and thus lives.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

I personally believe that architectural competitions are a fundamental tool for stimulating creativity and showcasing one's design sensibility. They provide an excellent opportunity for engagement and experimentation, two central aspects of an architect's work.

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

I recommend participating in architecture competitions to enhance one's skills and cultural knowledge, as well as to encourage deeper reflection on the social and cultural implications of architecture.