Howard Waterfall Retreat competition 3rd Prize winners - Jamie Kevin Willmer and Maureen Armida Vivienne Soupe

We’d like to take this opportunity to introduce you to the third prize winners of our Howard Waterfall Retreat Competition – Jamie Kevin Willmer and Maureen Armida Vivienne Soupe from the United Kingdom!

Jamie Kevin Willmer and Maureen Armida Vivienne Soupe from the 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.

Atelier Singe is a creative studio set up in 2025 by two idealistic architects, who want a space to express and explore their design aspirations. 

Maureen is a French-registered architect from Réunion Island, trained at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (Switzerland), and has worked internationally in Switzerland, Spain, and France.

Jamie has over eleven years of experience in practice in the United Kingdom, working on international projects across Sri Lanka, the Caribbean, and Europe. Hailing from Brighton, he studied architecture at the University of Lincoln (England).

Having met in the United Kingdom, they came to see architecture as a common language that bridges cultural differences. Sharing the same approach to art, design, and architecture, Maureen and Jamie collaborate to shape meaningful spaces that connect people, identity, and place.

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?

Maureen has worked in practice across a range of typologies, from private house renovations and residential developments to educational projects and healthcare facilities. She has also gained experience as part of a team on larger-scale projects, such as the cultural centre and office complex on Île Seguin (Paris) and the award-winning Geneva train station refurbishment competition. Over the past two years, she has focused on bespoke residential schemes.

Jamie has designed and built in practice a series of contemporary seaside homes along the South Coast of England, combining dramatic sea views with calm, private spaces - striking a balance between openness and retreat. His work includes an exploration into environmental passive design, culminating in a one-off home in the highlands of Sri Lanka that meets the challenges of extreme heat, humidity, and rainfall. As part of a larger collaborative team, Jamie has also developed a large-scale cultural, commercial, and residential scheme to rejuvenate a seaside resort town, creating a new centre that brings life, business, and cultural vitality to a community in need of renewal.

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

Architecture is where creative sensibility confronts the responsibilities of a complex world. It’s a way for us to explore human questions through the prism of anthropology : identity, memory and relationships. What excites us most is thinking of spaces as the everyday stage for residents and visitors, and imagining how these spaces can improve their quality of life. We are driven to understand the socio-cultural context, the landscape, and the relationship between the building and its surroundings. Our role is to provide good architectural solutions that are responsive to each unique context. Equally, we focus on optimising local resources, existing structures, sunlight, and water sources to support the building, while respecting the environment and avoiding overconsumption.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

Architecture competitions are one of the best ways to explore design and test ideas against those of other talented architects. Analysing the results and comparing different proposals is an excellent way to learn from other perspectives and gain inspiration from innovative ideas. Competitions also offer a unique opportunity to challenge ourselves on the international stage and push our own limits. We select sites and briefs according to the themes we wish to study and develop, treating them as a personal training ground for experimentation.

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

It’s a great way to explore your ideas without the constraints of a commercial live project, which typically involves project management, regulations, and financial obligations.