Howard Waterfall Retreat competition 2nd Prize winners - Aleksandra Zofia Forystek, Min Kyu Kim and Zehua He

We’d like to take this opportunity to introduce you to the second prize winners of our Howard Waterfall Retreat Competition – Aleksandra Zofia Forystek, Min Kyu Kim, and Zehua He from the United States!

Aleksandra Zofia Forystek, Min Kyu Kim, and Zehua He from the United States

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.

Aleks Forystek Studio is a Chicago-land based design practice committed to destabilizing the familiar. Its design process is rooted in a critical examination of the everyday, seeking to unveil the latent potential within ordinary objects. Through an intensive methodology of observation and interaction, the studio investigates the phenomenological qualities of these objects, exploring their behavioral patterns and spatial implications. By transgressing the boundaries of art, architecture, and design, the studio constructs environments that are both functional and experiential. Its work is characterized by a radical departure from conventional material and structural norms, inviting users to engage in a dynamic and transformative spatial dialogue.

Saul Kim Studio: Saul Kim Studio, founded in 2023 and based in South Korea, is a research-driven design practice exploring architecture, furniture, and product design. Rather than focusing on materiality or construction, the studio investigates the abstract ontology of design—examining its fundamental language and logic. Central to the studio’s philosophy is the ongoing Architecture Anomaly series, a long-term research project that challenges conventional design norms and proposes alternative ways of thinking about form and space. Through this conceptual approach, the studio aims to redefine how design is imagined and articulated.

River’s Studio was founded in 2018 and is an architectural, landscape visualization, and design studio based in China, working globally. The studio is defined by its commitment to high-quality work, specializing in creating precise, cinematic imagery and film that effectively translate conceptual designs into compelling visual realities. With a team of ten employees and a founder bringing seven years of industry experience, River Studio regularly collaborates with companies across the world to deliver visually impactful projects.

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?

Aleks Forystek is a designer with a several-year project history spanning a broad range of scales. Her comprehensive experience covers architecture, interior design, product design, and furniture design with a diverse portfolio that includes residential projects, as well as various commercial, retail, and educational facilities. She maintains her creative momentum by actively participating in design competitions and engaging in conceptual work that often involves artistic exploration and innovation.

Saul Kim Studio engages in conceptually driven projects across various scales, from small objects to architectural proposals and public interventions. While the studio does not prioritize a specific scale, it consistently explores the abstract logic and spatial language of design.

Notable works include the stage design for The Cherry Orchard (LG Arts Center, 2024), where architectural elements were reimagined in a surreal, symbolic setting; and the schematic design for the X Observatory in the Netherlands, a public structure featuring cantilevered timber planks and dynamic circulation pathways, developed in collaboration with IPV Delft.

These projects reflect the studio’s interest in challenging spatial conventions and creating environments that are both conceptually rigorous and experientially rich.

River’s Studio specializes in architectural and landscape visualization, demonstrating mastery in rendering while celebrating various artistic expressions, including collages, architectural illustrations, and hand drawings. The practice focuses on mid to high-end projects and design competitions across diverse styles and disciplines, involving projects that span various time zones globally.

A key area of significant involvement is in international competitions, demonstrating the studio's skill in giving a unique voice to architectural expressions. Last year, the founder was nominated in both the YAC, Not a Hotel and Rang/1. Preis2025 competitions.

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

For us, architecture is not just about solving problems or shaping physical space, it's a speculative tool to question what design is at its core. Influenced by speculative realism, we approach architecture as an ontological inquiry rather than a purely functional or aesthetic practice. We're interested in the realities that architecture can reveal—realities that may not be immediately visible, useful, or even human-centered.

Furthermore, architecture is also functioning art that is an immersive, habitable sculpture that profoundly impacts cultural identity and evokes emotion.

We believe the role of the architect is not to affirm existing systems, but to disrupt them—to expose hidden structures, reframe familiar forms, and speculate on alternative spatial logics. Architecture, in this sense, becomes a way to think beyond utility and representation, and instead engage with deeper questions of existence, perception, and form.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

We participate in architecture competitions because they offer a unique and essential platform to experiment with ideas beyond the constraints of traditional practice. Competitions are critical for fostering speculative thinking, allowing us to explore alternative design languages and ontologies that might not be feasible in conventional, budget-driven projects. Ultimately, we are driven by the desire to challenge design norms and unlock new creative opportunities, letting our imaginations lead us to truly captivating spaces and innovative design ideas. This process of ambitious exploration and unconstrained problem-solving is what makes competitions an excellent platform to showcase our interests and push the boundaries of design.

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

Our advice is to stop viewing competitions just as contests and see them as essential opportunities for exploration and growth. Competitions allow you to experiment freely with ideas, challenging your assumptions without the typical constraints of a client or budget. Even if you don't win—and honestly, the process itself is the real prizeyou'll sharpen your skills, develop your design thinking, and clarify your architectural voice.