Concrete Pavilion competition Honorable mention winners - Yanchen Yu and Hua Chai

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the Honorable mention winners of our Concrete Pavilion competition – Yanchen Yu and Hua Chai from United States!

Yanchen Yu and Hua Chai

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.

Our team is a design duo whose collaboration began on the East Coast and continues to evolve following our recent move to the West Coast. Our work explores the relationship between material, structure, and site through both design and research. One partner is a practicing designer with experience in site-sensitive projects that emphasize context, material history, and spatial narrative. The other is currently an Assistant Professor of Architecture and holds a PhD in structural systems and geometric design, with research investigating the integration of form, force, and construction through computational and material experimentation.

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?

Our work spans small- to medium-scale architectural projects, including buildings and site interventions located on parcels ranging from compact urban lots to multi-acre landscapes. Our approach emphasizes regenerative and resilient design strategies, using material selection, structural logic, and site-responsive planning to integrate built form with its surroundings while minimizing environmental impact.

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

To us, architecture is the practice of shaping the built environment in a way that responds to both human needs and environmental conditions. It is not only about creating form, but also about understanding how materials are used, how buildings are constructed, and how they relate to their context over time. The role of the architect is to make responsible decisions that balance technical, contributing to a more sustainable and thoughtful built environment.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

We participate in architecture competitions as a way to explore ideas that extend beyond the constraints of conventional practice. They provide an opportunity to test new approaches to materials, construction, and the relationship between architecture and site.

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

Competitions are a great way to explore ideas and try things you might not be able to do in everyday practice. Even if nothing gets built, the process helps you grow, clarify your thinking, and build confidence in your work.