Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025 competition Honorable mention winners - Binhan Wang and Ruoyu Yang

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce the Honorable Mention winners of Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025 competition – Binhan Wang and Ruoyu Yang from United Kingdom!

Binhan Wang and Ruoyu Yang

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 UK-based architects who graduated from the Architectural Association School of Architecture and University College London. Currently, we work for an international practice, but beyond our professional roles, we share a deep interest in domestic spaces and how design can create a sense of intimacy. We focus on the thoughtful use of detail, materiality and an understanding of daily routines to shape spaces that feel quiet, humble and built to last.

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 architects working for an international practice, we have been involved in numerous large-scale commercial and mixed-use projects around the world. These experiences have strengthened our practical skills in design and delivery, as well as our ability to communicate, manage complex processes, and solve problems effectively. Beyond the office, we participate in competitions to explore ideas outside the constraints of practice, focusing on smaller-scale projects that emphasise spatial intimacy, adaptive reuse, and the thoughtful use of materials and details to create engaging, human-centred experiences. This balance between large-scale professional work and more personal, exploratory design keeps our creativity alive and broadens our perspective as designers.

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

For us, architecture is much more than creating a physical building per se. Architecture is a materialised way of seeing and shaping lifestyles. It serves as a lens that reflects and responds to context, whether natural, urban, social or cultural. We believe the role of the architect is to thoughtfully translate these layers into spaces that bring a positive, lasting impact on people’s lives, often through humble and sensitive design rather than grand gestures. Ultimately, architecture is about connecting people, place and purpose in meaningful ways.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

We participate in architecture competitions to test and refine our design approaches and methodologies on projects we are truly passionate about. The freedom these briefs offer allows us to push creative boundaries in form, materiality, and structure, which often leads to bold, innovative ideas that would not always be feasible in real-world practice. Beyond competing, we see these opportunities as a platform to share our vision and thinking with the public and to engage in dialogue with other talented designers worldwide.

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

We would suggest viewing competitions not purely as contests to win, but as opportunities to grow. They let you experiment freely, test your design thinking, and develop your portfolio with projects you are passionate about. Even if you don’t win, the process itself sharpens your skills, strengthens your conceptual approach, and helps you articulate your ideas more clearly. It’s also a great way to connect with the broader design community and gain fresh perspectives. If you see them as a space for learning and creative exploration, the experience can be incredibly rewarding.