Hospice - Home for the Terminally ill #5 competition Honorable mention winners - Toronto Metropolitan University

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the Honorable mention winners of our Hospice - Home for the Terminally ill #5 competition – Avery Jordan and Raquel Alonso from Canada!

Avery Jordan and Raquel Alonso

Please tell us about your company (when it was founded, where it is based, how many employees, etc) Alternatively, if you do not have a company, please give us some insights on your own professional/academia background.

We are third-year students studying Architectural Science at Toronto Metropolitan University. During the first half of our undergraduate studies, we have both participated in several design-build projects facilitated by the Department of Architectural Science. These projects have allowed us to explore design across different scales while integrating tools such as virtual reality, game engines, and digital fabrication into our work.

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?

As students, most of our design experience has come from studio and design-build projects within our university. We have worked on projects at a range of scales, from smaller interventions such as laneway houses to larger projects including libraries, train stations, and mid-rise developments. Over the past few years, we have developed a shared interest in civic and institutional projects that shape how communities interact and thrive.

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

We believe architecture is about shaping the environments where everyday life unfolds. It is not just about designing buildings or creating unique forms; it is about creating spaces that influence how people move, interact, and experience their city. The role of the architect is to balance many factors at once: the needs of the people who use the space, the technical realities of building, and the broader social and environmental context.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

We participate in architecture competitions to gain experience designing projects across different scales and to challenge ourselves to expand our understanding of structures, materials, and assemblies. Competitions offer a level of creative freedom that often isn’t possible in more technically constrained studio projects. They provide a platform to share our ideas, express our design values, strengthen our technical skills, and explore new concepts through experimentation.

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

Challenge yourself! Competitions are a great way to experience collaborative design environments, much like those in real-world architecture firms. They create opportunities to bounce ideas off one another, refine concepts together, and practice clearly communicating your design thinking within a team.