Architecture Competition Gaudi La Coma Artists’ Residences 3rd prize winners – Dan Liang, Rixi Ye, Delong Yang and Rongjie Zhang

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the 3rd prize winners of our "Gaudi La Coma Artists’ Residences" competition – Dan Liang, Rixi Ye, Delong Yang and Rongjie Zhang from China!

3rd prize winners from China

Dan Liang: I graduated with honors from the Bartlett School of Architecture in 2018, and then I have been working as a professional architect and educator for more than 4 years. Currently, I’m the project manager at BUZZ architects which mainly focuses on Cultural and tourism projects. Over the years, I have published papers combining generation design and cutting-edge technologies (KUKA,3D printing, etc), and I also have participated in many international speeches and competitions. At the same time, I have been working with famous generative design scholars in the industry to do workshops to find new design possibilities.

Rixi Ye: I am currently a fifth-year student in NingboTech University, majoring in Architecture.

Delong Yang: I am currently a fourth-year student at Chongqing University, majoring in Architecture.

Rongjie Zhang: I am currently a fourth-year student at Tongji University, majoring in Architecture.

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?

Dan Liang: As a professional architect with six years of architectural educational background and up to four years of work experience, I have participated in projects including skyscrapers, large-scale theaters, convention and exhibition complexes, Luxury hotels, museums, commercial buildings, etc. I have abundant experience in conceptual design to construction cooperation.

Rixi Ye: I have participated in some research projects with my supervisors: Rural Cultural Tourism Innovation And Entrepreneurship Under "Internet+"; have won several awards in architectural competitions: The 11th National Green Building Design Competition (First Prize, Green Group), Zhejiang College Students Rural Revitalization Design Competition (Gold Award) and so on; and have published in Hebei Pictorial (ISSN1003-8094) in September 2022: The Design Practice Of Scaffolding Constructions In Rural Landscape Vignettes - An Example Of The Design Of A Landscape Rest House At Quwan Farm.

Delong Yang: I have participated in some research projects with my supervisors: Students Research Training Program (Certificate); have won an award in competition: 2022 Rural Planning Scheme Competition (Honorable Nomination)

Rongjie Zhang: Participated in Tongji -TUM (Technical University of Mombasa) Joint Design Studio: Mombasa Old Town Conservation & Cultural Center Design, "Designing Together" University Joint Design for Five New Cities in Shanghai, Chinese Classical Garden Qiu Xia Pu Garden Mapping Project, Shanghai Rural Community Themed Gallery Pavilion Building Festival.

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

For us, architecture means space. Architecture is like water, and people's needs are like bottles with various shapes. According to various needs, architecture can take any form and create different spaces, as free as water.

The architects’ role is to turn fantasy into reality, and their greatest contribution is to translate abstract concepts into real, buildable blueprints, using their expertise to provide the best possible solutions at the moment.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

Our team members include professional architect, young scholars, and students, and we are consistently exploring what design is and what architecture is. Participating in competitions helps us make these discoveries. We exchanged existing design principles during these processes, discovered new design methodologies, and disputed new techniques and materials. Regarding architecture as a living organism, and giving each part of the building a definition in biology is the new methodology we found, and is effective for connecting each part.

Furthermore, we regard attending competitions as a chance to meet new technology. A case in point is the 3-D printing technology we used in this design. We got this inspiration from another project “TECLA” by WASP and MCA. The 3D printing technology based on a hexagonal grid gives theoretical support. The use of local raw earth as the construction material not only conveyed our sustainable philosophy but also showed our concern over the historical attribute of the site.

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

There are pros & cons in every existence but we believe architecture competitions can bring you:

Possibility: The competition, with its different themes, requirements, and backgrounds, offers participants a huge arena of endless possibilities, where you will no longer be swayed by cumbersome regulations and sudden insertions of opinions, but a time of pure producing, where all your possibilities will be polished and presented.

Passion: Life is all about the challenge, get your adrenaline pumping, race against the time, complete the production of your passion from the empty to the real, and watch the seeds grow and grow, one day your dreams will "begin to soar".

Revolution: Most architectural competitions are a revolution in the perception of architecture for the participants, a revolution that will overturn your mediocre ideas and inject a new dynamic into your career. You'll have your slogan and you'll wave it, you'll be the leader of the revolution and you'll get yourself a new architectural DNA.