Denver Affordable Housing Challenge competition Honorable mention winner - Yingzhuo Wang

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce the Honorable Mention winner of Denver Affordable Housing Challenge competition – Yingzhuo Wang from United States!

Yingzhuo Wang

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 an architectural designer currently working in Chicago, United States. Participating in architecture competitions is part of my individual design practice. I got a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Virginia. Studying and working in a cultural context entirely different from where I grew up has been a remarkable experience. It is through architecture and design that the world gradually opened itself to me, shaping how I see, understand, and engage with my surroundings through practice.

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?

My professional experience has primarily focused on large-scale public architecture, including airports and healthcare facilities. Earlier in my training, I also worked on smaller residential projects during internships. In practice, I have been involved in complex projects that require coordination across multiple teams and disciplines. This environment has strengthened my ability to articulate and embed my own design ideas within multiple constraints, including budgets, client requirements, and leadership preferences. At the same time, these conditions have limited opportunities for individual authorship, which is why I participate in architecture competitions independently. Competitions allow greater conceptual freedom and decision-making autonomy, enabling me to develop ideas that reflect my own design interests while remaining grounded in real-world conditions.

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

Architecture, to me, is both a way of engaging with the world and a discipline that shapes how I think. It operates not only as a means of expression, but as a structured process for understanding and responding to complexity. Through architectural education and professional practice, I have learned to confront problems that are layered, constrained, and often contradictory. This training has reinforced my belief that most challenges can be addressed through careful observation, analysis, and iteration. Rather than seeking singular or idealized solutions, architecture demands responsibility: the ability to make informed decisions within real limits and to move projects forward despite uncertainty. In this sense, the role of the architect is to transform complex conditions into actionable strategies, balancing ambition with feasibility, and turning constraints into opportunities for meaningful impact within society.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

Architecture competitions offer me a space for intellectual freedom—where I can explore ideas, conduct research, and make design decisions independently. At the same time, the presence of a clearly defined brief, such as in the Denver Affordable Housing competition, anchors this freedom in real and pressing conditions. Rather than working through abstract or speculative scenarios, competitions allow me to engage deeply with concrete issues related to housing, resources, and social impact. This balance between open-ended thinking and practical constraints closely mirrors professional practice, while providing greater autonomy in shaping the design direction. I find this process especially compelling: using architectural thinking to respond to real problems and to propose solutions that have the potential to positively influence everyday life and the built environment.

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

For those who have ideas and an interest in expression, architecture competitions can be a meaningful platform, even without a clearly defined direction. They represent opportunities not only for recognition, but also for self-understanding and professional growth.Beyond outcomes, competitions encourage independent thinking, strengthen decision-making skills, and support long-term development within the discipline.