Architecture Competition Humble Architecture: Everest Challenge 3rd prize winners – Jean Trottet and Stefano Teker

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the 3rd prize winners of our "Humble Architecture: Everest Challenge" competition – Jean Trottet and Stefano Teker from Belgium!

3rd prize winners from Belgium

We are two architects who graduated from La Cambre-Horta (ULB) Architectural Faculty in Brussels. Jean Trottet is currently a researcher at the Architectural Faculty La Cambre-Horta. Stefano Teker is currently working as a solo practitioner in Brussels.

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?

Jean Trottet graduated in 2017 and has been since working on various research projects focused on historical heritage. In 2019, he integrated AlICe Lab (Computer Laboratory for Design and Image in Architecture) and worked on the 3D reconstruction hypothesis of La Maison du Peuple, designed by Victor Horta. He is currently teaching and part of a research program at La Cambre-Horta (ULB) Architectural Faculty. Stefano Teker graduated in 2015 and has worked in various architectural practice in Brussels, mainly focused on medium-scale architecture projects. In 2020, he started his own practice and is currently working on small and medium scale projects in Brussels.

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

Architecture thrives to create spaces where individuals and groups can make social and cultural sense of material facts. We see the architect as a link between the needs, the different scales, and the different actors of the surrounding ecosystem.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

Competitions give the opportunity to experiment with topics distant from our daily life and what we are used to working with. It helps to sharpen your design skills and diversify your knowledge. Through the various competitions we took part in, we got to know more about different cities, places, and cultures around the world. More importantly, they give the opportunity to propose solutions regarding the current needs of modern society without certain boundaries. This process of research by design is, for us, a great tool to understand the major problem/needs of our time.

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

Participating in a competition will give you a chance to not only chose the topic but also do whatever you like and fully explore you design capabilities. It’s also a great way to compare the different responses to the same question through the eyes of people from around the world. In that way, you are able to learn from others and grow your design process.