Hospice - Home for the Terminally ill / Edition #4 competition Student Prize winner - Nikoleta Mitríková

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the Student Prize winner of our Hospice - Home for the Terminally ill / Edition #4 competition – Nikoleta Mitríková from Slovakia!

Nikoleta Mitríková

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.

I am an individual participant, currently a graduate student at the Faculty of Architecture in Bratislava, Slovakia, where I have just completed my fifth year. Over the past two years, I have been actively involved in architectural competitions – both individually and as part of a team with fellow students – and it has become one of my favorite forms of design exploration. In addition to my academic experience, I have spent two and a half years working in a small architectural and urban design studio, where we also primarily focused on competition-based work. This hands-on experience has allowed me to apply my knowledge in a professional environment while continuing to explore creative challenges.

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?

Throughout school, work, and extracurricular competitions, I have worked on a wide range of projects covering various scales – from urban planning and public spaces to interiors and both small-scale residential and larger civic architecture. While I don't like to limit myself to one specific topic or typology, I have found myself especially drawn to public buildings and their close relationship with people and society. I have worked on concepts for museums, libraries, visitor and recreational centers, hotels, mountain facilities, temporary modular housing, and large spa complexes. Urbanism is also an important part of my work – I believe it is an essential, often inseparable, element of architectural design that shapes the broader context and experience of space.

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

Since the beginning of my studies, I have seen architecture as a way to create places where people can feel good – places that shape lives, improve our environment, and leave a meaningful, lasting imprint on society. To me, the role of the architect is to build and repair the spaces we live in – not only for ourselves but for future generations as well. It is a responsibility that extends beyond aesthetics and functionality, deeply tied to cultural, social, and environmental values.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

For me as a student, competitions are a vital opportunity to explore diverse topics and engage with briefs that go far beyond the scope of typical school assignments. They offer creative freedom, encourage open-mindedness, and foster professional growth. Competitions are also a way to test one’s skills, gain experience, and even advance ideas toward real-world recognition. I believe that every entry—whether it wins or not—brings value and knowledge that no one can take away.

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

My advice is simple: You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain. Even if your project is not selected, the experience, process, and knowledge you take away from it are priceless. Every competition is a new challenge, a new perspective, and a step forward in your journey as an architect.