Hospice - Home for the Terminally ill #3 competition Honorable mention winners - Laura Petruso, Ersila Bushi, Edwin Zhou and Pier Matteo Perazzini

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the Honorable mention winners of our "Hospice - Home for the Terminally ill #3" competition –Laura Petruso, Ersila Bushi, Edwin Zhou and Pier Matteo Perazzini from United Kingdom!

Laura Petruso, Edwin Zhou, Ersila Bushi and Pier Matteo Perazzini from United Kingdom

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.

Building Memories in Care was a collaborative effort between Alpex Architecture and Teo Architects. Alpex Architecture, founded in London by Laura Petruso in 2010, is a young practice with an international background working on private residential projects and mixed-use developments at an urban scale. Laura Petruso and her team ensure that Alpex Architecture continues to practice the core values intertwined with her ambition: place-making, high production standards, sensitivity, coherence, appropriateness, sustainability, and delivering architectural projects exceeding expectations. In addition to our project work, Alpex Architecture is always committed to engaging with the next generation of architects. Each summer we like to invite international students to intern in our office, this year we welcomed Marcos and Marta from Navarra University, Spain, to gain hands-on experience and insight into the profession, reflecting our support for developing future talent in the field, and we look forward to inviting more students from all over the world in the future.

TEO Architects, established in 2016 by Pier Matteo Perazzini, is a London-based firm that treats each project as a distinct entity shaped by its unique surroundings. The office embodies a fusion of creativity and craftsmanship. Here, we believe that architecture is not merely about structures; it’s an art form that harmonises with its environment and resonates with the people who inhabit it. Every project undertaken is a bespoke expression of our client’s aspirations, meticulously tailored to reflect their vision and needs. Our approach is grounded in a deep appreciation for context. We delve into the nuances of each site, embracing its unique characteristics to create designs that are both innovative and harmonious. At our core, we are passionate storytellers, crafting spaces that inspire and enrich the human experience.

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?

Alpex Architecture's work is predominantly on private residential projects. It offers a comprehensive architectural service from preliminary design to completion, and we ensure that both design and construction are simultaneously achieved to the highest of standards. uniting their projects is the aim to provide clients with amazing places to live, work and entertain. TEO architects engage in a diverse range of projects, from intimate residential designs to mediumscale mixed-use and residential developments. Notable projects include a new-build residential project seamlessly integrated into the landscape, a bespoke installation at the Chelsea Flower Show and sensitive renovations of historic buildings across London, which revitalise the streetscape while preserving its cultural heritage.

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

As designers in architecture and construction, we recognise that our responsibility is inextricably bound to the physical and human environment. Our work is not an intervention into the built environment, but implicitly aware of its context, place and continuity within it. We consider architecture not as a collection of materials combined in situ but as a material that holds the capacity to constitute the presence of space. As such, our approach aims to create spaces that not only serve functional needs but also evoke a deeper connection between people, places, and the environment.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

International ideas competitions and design competitions provide the best opportunities to design according to a brief and scope of work. From concept development and site selection or analysis (if already provided) to architectural design and its refinement, these challenges allow for remarkable outcomes where architecture is created with its users in mind. Participating in these competitions fosters critical thinking and adaptability, particularly when addressing sensitive projects like the Hospice, which is deeply meaningful to our team. By embracing diverse contexts, this process encourages thoughtful, inclusive, and responsive architectural practices that resonate with both place and purpose.

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

Architecture is designed by creative minds, but because it has a strong social connotation and remarkable impact on the environment, the design process needs to be constantly exercised and renewed in its forms of expression. Therefore, which better opportunity than an International competition to confront other professionals’ work all around the world?