Architecture competition "Construction Container Facelift" Honorable mention - Julie Tse

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the winner of one of our Honorable mentions for the “Construction Container Facelift” competition - Julie Tse from New Zealand!

Julie Tse from New Zealand

Originally from Hong Kong, I grew up in Auckland, New Zealand, where I graduated from University of Auckland (UA) with a Bachelor’s of Architecture in 2008, having worked as a graduate for a while I then went back to UA to finish a Master’s in Urban Design in 2011. In the past decade I have been involved as an Architectural Technician in various firms, for an Interior designer, landscape architects and also for architectural design offices.

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 company/ individuals have been involved?

During my time at university, I have worked on a range of projects including a writer’s retreat, high density living, urban design for our iconic landmark, aged care facility and my passion for temporary housing for disaster relief. In my educational I was mostly working with the scale of buildings and urban landscapes, but in recent years I have also enjoyed learning about construction details due to the nature of my work, (drafting residential houses), which I would like to incorporate in the design process.

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

To me, architecture is a philosophy, practice and a way of being, it is an approach to finding purpose, quality and fulfillment in life. It is a means to improving people’s habitats in whichever circumstances that are presented upon us, may it be a shelter, a room, a house, park, a chair or a waterproofing detail.

Why do you participate in architecture vision competitions?

I have a passion for design and a burning desire to tackle and contribute to real-life problems and global challenges.

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

Give it a go! You have nothing to lose but a whole world of fun, learning and experiences to gain. You will come out better as a person in the end because it is a great opportunity and motivation to read, absorb, and think as well as to positively respond to all the changes that are happening in the world right now, given how fast technology, nature and societies are evolving.