Architecture Competition Gaudi La Coma Artists’ Residences Honorable mention winners - Monash University

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to one of our Honorable mention winners for our "Gaudi La Coma Artists’ Residences" competition – Franny Chang and Erin Judkins from Australia!

Honorable mention from Australia

Erin: Throughout the duration of my Bachelor’s Degree, I worked in a small residential, community, and commercial-based practice in the Melbourne CBD. I engaged in various works related to conservation, heritage, education, and community with an emphasis on government-contracted projects. Since completing my degree in Australia, I have relocated to London and am currently working as an intern for a practice specialising in heritage extensions and new builds in central and greater London. I am currently working towards gaining certification in Passivhaus design and look forward to actively engaging in sustainability-focused projects.

Franny: I am currently undertaking my first year of Masters of Architectural Design. I am also participating at a small architectural firm as an intern, exploring and deepening my understanding about the built environment through a practical lens.

Brief information about the projects that you/your company have been involved with. For instance, what scale have you focused on/preferred, and any significant projects where the company/ individuals have been involved?

Erin: Primarily I have been involved in residential projects and governmentcontracted projects related to conservation and heritage. Most recently I have engaged in projects focusing on extensions, alterations, and additions to heritage homes in London. These projects have ranged from small-scale to large-scale developments. 

Franny: The architectural firm I am involved in have encountered projects ranging from residential to commercial, from heritage fit outs to dental clinics and restaurants. The firm places emphasis on the human scale, creating spaces that are unique to the user while aiming to achieve spatial authenticity that is enhanced by careful material procurement.

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

Erin: I believe it is the role of the architect to ask the questions no one knows yet to ask; to re-formulate and encourage dynamic spatial relationships and offer opportunities for growth both interpersonally and spatially. 

Franny: To me, architecture should enable humans to unify and connect with nature and its immediate surroundings. There should be a dialogue between the built and the naturally occurring, whilst allowing users to utilise the space in a functional manner. Hence, the role of the architect is to become a mediator between people and nature and ensure that the spaces created are not only serving people, but also giving back to nature to achieve a balance.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

Erin: Personally, I think competitions are the best means of obtaining knowledge. Working in practice is excellent as to improve one’s professional skills but is restricting when it comes to creative freedom and in some cases offers a minimal challenge. It is a very formulated means of design; therefore competitions offer an often-complex brief with considerations that exceed normal life and architectural design. Suddenly you are not only designing architecture but crafting and curating fine art, interiors, landscapes, and other multidisciplinary fields which is extremely beneficial for curiosity and improving your style as an individual. 

Franny: Architecture competitions are a great opportunity to venture out and create designs that push boundaries and are more experimental. It allows students like me and my team to think critically about our own designs and challenge the way we think about architecture.

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

Erin: One piece of advice I would give is to not treat competitions as a university task or work project, pick one that you are genuinely interested in, one that you won’t get sick of, and one that will challenge you. They are designed to encourage idea generation and promote new ways of thinking so treat the brief as your friend, not foe. Ultimately at the end of the day, you will only get from a competition what you put in! 

Franny: As there are many competitions to choose from, choose one that best interests you, especially if it is related to your future profession or best aligns with your design thinking. There are no downsides to participating as you will learn more about yourself, your understanding of architecture whilst being able to reflect on the design process and how they may benefit you in the future.

Open architecture competitions

  • Closest Deadline first
  • Project competitions first
    Selected winning projects have the potential to be constructed
  • Ideas competitions first
    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
project COMPETITION
Sansusī Forest Food Court

Design a sustainable food court structure for the heart of a classical music festival

Prize: MONETARY AWARD + CONSTRUCTION
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Jan 10
Feb 08
Apr 06
ideas COMPETITION
The Home of Shadows

Design a home with no artificial lighting

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Dec 05
Jan 24
Apr 18
project COMPETITION
Portugal Elderly Home

Design a comfortable and accessible home for the elderly in Portugal

Prize: MONETARY AWARD + CONSTRUCTION
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Dec 06
Jan 25
Apr 19
project COMPETITION
Portugal Olive Guest House

Design a guest house and olive oil tasting room located in Portugal

Prize: MONETARY AWARD + CONSTRUCTION
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Dec 08
Jan 27
Apr 21
project COMPETITION
Yoga House in the Bog

Design a yoga guest house located within rich bog wildlife

Prize: MONETARY AWARD + CONSTRUCTION
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Jan 11
Feb 08
Apr 26

Reccuring architecture competitions

ideas COMPETITION
MICROHOME
Small living, huge impact! Edition #6

Design a new concept of small-scale home

Prize: MONETARY AWARD + PUBLICATION IN MAGAZINE
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Feb 16
Apr 18
Jun 16
ideas COMPETITION
Silent contest
For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Museum of Emotions
Edition #3

Use architecture to create different emotional states

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Mar 17
May 19
Jul 21
ideas COMPETITION
Silent contest
For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Architectural Visualization Award
Edition #2

Present your best work and submit your favorite architectural visualization

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Mar 23
May 25
Jul 27
Run repeatedly
Children's Hospice
Home for the Terminally ill / Edition #2

Design a safe and supportive space for children struggling with a terminal illness

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Dec 06
Feb 08
Apr 06
Register now
Run repeatedly
Milan Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series #15

Design a concept for affordable housing in Milan

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Dec 07
Jan 26
Apr 20
Register now
Run repeatedly
Virtual Home
Edition #2

Shape the future of digital living environments

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
May 02
Jul 04
Sep 06
Register now
Run repeatedly
Office
Office Design Challenge / Edition #2

Reimagine the workplace of the future, and design the new way of working

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Jan 03
Mar 01
May 04
Register now
Run repeatedly
Portable Reading Rooms
Edition #2

Design a portable reading room that encourages reading in any location

Prize: MONETARY AWARD + SCOLARSHIP
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Feb 13
Mar 23
May 15
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Run repeatedly
Pavilion Of Humanity: First Contact
Edition #2

How would you represent the best that humanity has to offer through architecture?

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

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Mar 27
May 25
Jul 24
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Creativity gym Short term competitions for you to exercise your creativity

T-SHIRT DRAWING COMPETITION
The Architect's T-shirt
Edition #18

Design THE architect's t-shirt!

Prize: 3,000 €
Eligibility: open to all

registration deadlines

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Feb 28
Mar 31
Apr 30
Register now
ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO COMPETITION
THE BUILDNER'S ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO COMPETITION
Edition #3

Submit your online portfolio!

Prize: 5,000 €
Eligibility: open to all

registration deadlines

Remind me
Apr 30
May 31
Jun 30
Register now

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Competition results

Hong Kong 
Pixel Homes

Hong Kong Pixel Homes

Affordable Housing Series #2
MICROHOME

MICROHOME

Small living, huge impact! Edition #4

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