Hospice - Home for the Terminally ill / Edition #4 competition Honorable mention winners - Yini Yin and Shawn Noam Groisman

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the Honorable mention winners of our Hospice - Home for the Terminally ill / Edition #4 competition – Yini Yin and Shawn Noam Groisman from Canada!

Yini Yin and Shawn Noam Groisman

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 first-year undergraduate students studying architecture at the University of Waterloo in Canada. Over the course of the year, we discovered common ground in our shared discipline, and a mutual understanding of architecture’s broader role in the world. We find the most joy in the iterative process, where we can bounce ideas off each other, learn from different perspectives, and apply feedback to create what feels intentional and responsive. We were drawn to architecture’s capacity to bridge societal gaps; whether physical, emotional, social, or psychological— which came through in our school projects too. Just as buildings can fill literal voids in the urban landscape, they can also foster connection, healing, and shared experiences. Together, we are motivated by creating work that is thoughtful, resonant, and conceptually rich.

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?

Most of our work so far has been small to medium in scale, but the experience and knowledge we gained has equipped us to confidently approach larger-scale projects. We’re especially interested in the complexity of large-scale projects, where considerations of site, context, and program demand a more integrated and thoughtful architectural response. As our projects grow in scale, so does our excitement (and respect) for what good design can do. It’s challenging, but it pushes us to expand our understanding and opens up new ways to think about how architecture can meaningfully engage with people and places on a broader level.

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

For us, architecture is all about response: response to site, community, and emotion. It's about listening to what a place and its inhabitants need, and translating those needs into insightful and meaningful spaces. We see the role of an architect as both a visionary and a listener. Architects shape the way we live, move, feel, and come together. In doing so, they carry a powerful role and responsibility in addressing social, environment, and cultural implications through built form.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

As first-year undergraduate students, we’re in one of the most formative stages of our architectural education. It’s the most ideal time to experiment, sharpen our design instincts, and build a strong foundation. Architecture competitions offer us a unique opening for us to approach the all-too-familiar design process with a professional rigor. It also challenges us to think critically, respond to real-world problems, and develop compelling architectural narratives. Additionally, it’s a great way to expose us to the work of more experienced designers, allowing us to learn from their strengths and further develop our own approach.

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

Go for it! Regardless of the outcome, entering an architecture competition is one of the most valuable and worthwhile experiences you can earn. It pushes you to think deeper, design bolder, and communicate your ideas with clarity and purpose. You’ll grow not just as a designer, but also as a thinker and collaborator. Architecture is never a solo endeavour! For us, working together made the whole process more exciting and fulfilling. You share ideas, challenge each other, and create something greater together. So, take the leap, trust your instincts, and enjoy the journey. Onwards!