Architecture competition "European Velo Stops" 1st prize winners - Edbert Cheng and Ivory Wang

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the winners of the 1st prize of our “European Velo Stops” competition - Edbert Cheng and Ivory Wang from United States!

1st prize winners from United States

Our team is based in New York City. Currently, Ivory Wang is pursuing her Master’s of architecture at Columbia University and Edbert Cheng is a designer at FXCollaborative. Prior to this, Ivory worked as the interior design lead at WeWork Shanghai, while Edbert worked at Arrowstreet in Boston. Both of us graduated from Cornell University, where we fostered a deep respect for nature and a profound interest in materiality and tectonics.

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?

We are interested in small-scale constructions. We have designed tables, movable seating, seesaws, and swing pavilions. After working and studying in multiple places, such as Tokyo, Hong Kong, Chicago and Shanghai, we learned that human scale spaces resonate with people everywhere. In a globalized world of large-scale developments and technology disruptions, architecture is tangible when it is personal.

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

Architecture is about creating tools to assist and enhance everyday life. We demonstrated this attitude in our competition proposal. From a well-designed fireplace that brings fellow travelers together, to a beside window framing the night sky, architecture creates a framework that makes our lives more intentional and meaningful. Architecture does not have to be particularly expensive to be beautiful; it just has to help users find the right state of mind.

Why do you participate in architecture vision competitions?

We see the architecture vision competition as a fertile ground for us to exercise our design muscles – to think through program materiality, construction, and other issues, outside traditional contexts. Architectural design takes a long time. However, in the realm of competitions, our creative spirit can manifest much quicker. The competition challenges us to test ideas and rethink convention.

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

Plan ahead. Let the concept develop by itself, and really understand the problem and your point of view. Final production will always feel last-minute, but the deadline will force you to edit and prioritize your most important ideas—which is a crucial step in defining the solution.