Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2024 competition participants - Jana Ahmed Mohamed Altaf Mohamed

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the prize winner of our "Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2024 competition – Jana Ahmed Mohamed Altaf Mohamed!

Jana Ahmed Mohamed Altaf Mohamed

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'm currently a fourth-year architectural engineering student at Arab Academy For Science and Technology in egypt. My studies focus on sustainable design, urban regeneration, and innovative architectural concepts. I have a strong interest in rebranding spaces through community engagement and storytelling, as reflected in my recent projects. These experiences have allowed me to explore creative problem-solving and adapt to diverse architectural challenges.

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?

As a student, my academic projects reflect a range of interests and scales, focusing on socially impactful designs. I've worked on urban regeneration projects, such as rebranding Fuwwah in Kafr El Sheikh, where I designed flexible architectural prototypes to engage the community and attract visitors. This included revitalizing spaces like an old cinema and a Tarabish factory through storytelling and multifunctional designs. Additionally, I’ve worked in designing cultural hubs in Damietta for local crafts. My focus has been on blending functionality, creativity, and cultural identity to address real-world challenges. I've also participated in re-designing the city and regional planning for the old cairo city .

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

Architecture, in my opinion, is not only the art of planning structures, but this is also the art of creating spaces which move, unify, and serve people. It is the synthesis of creativity with science, of imagination with practicality, helping to improve the way people live, work, and communicate. Architecture also has the ability to narrate, to perpetuate culture, and to define the character of a society.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

Participating in competitions opens a new window to work on new ideas and enhances creativity. It also allows you to explore themes or topics that interest you.

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

In case feel a bit hesitant of participating in architectural competitions, it would be a good idea to think about your aims, what do you want to achieve- is it learning new things, testing creativity, or expanding the portfolio.