Architecture Competition Abu Dhabi Flamingo Visitor Center Clients Favorite and Green prize winner – Florent Sauvineau

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the Client’s Favorite and Green prize winner of our “Abu Dhabi Flamingo Visitor Center” competition – Florent Sauvineau from France!

Florent Sauvineau from France

I graduated with honours in 2017 from the ENSA Lyon with a master's degree in Architecture. In 2015 I did my student exchange program in Göteborg, Sweden, at the CHALMERS University of Technology.

I have worked across several design disciplines, including architecture, urban design and furniture design. I have worked as a junior architect in both Paris and Lyon in leading architectural firms. I’m currently working with Duncan Lewis in Bordeaux, a company that focuses on synergy between architecture and landscape through conceptual and innovative projects.

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?

I’ve primarily been involved in progressive and contemporary architectural practices that focus on every scale: art installation in Lyon, urban development, office building refurbishment in Paris, 40.000-seater football stadium in Nantes...

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

My architectural approach is inclusive. I do believe architecture is a complex process that involves economic, social, aesthetic, technical, and environmental concerns. Thus, designing a building is not only a matter of light, space and materiality. It involves a cross disciplinary mind-set that helps develop designs through time and experimentation.

New ways of designing, such as computational design, are part of this experimentation in my practice. I do think these new conception tools help designers to create both spaces that move people and a design continuum that weaves tradition with innovation.

Why do you participate in architecture vision competitions?

I participate in architecture vision competitions to compete with talented people from all over the world. This particular mind-set challenges your ability to develop conceptual approaches and strengthens your ability to communicate your proposal.

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

Participating in architectural competitions is a great experience. Select a topic that inspires you and design freely to pursue your dreams, research and ideas. Just do it!