Architecture Competition Iceland Black Lava Fields Visitor Center 2nd prize winners - ARCHTY

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the 2nd prize winners of our “Iceland Black Lava Fields Visitor Center” competition - Luís Henrique Alcântara and Vladimir Alcântara from Brazil.

Luís Henrique Alcântara and Vladimir Alcântara from Brazil.

ARCHTY is a young international collaborative group with dreamers, thinkers, artists, architects located in Brasília - Brazil founded by Luís Henrique Alcântara and Vladimir Alcântara in December 17th on 2018. “We believe in an architecture that thinks, questions and answers the world around us.”

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 company/ individuals have been involved?

We have been involved with projects of different scales, from small designers to buildings, public space, to large scale urban planning. All project scales have potential and importance. In this way, different scales provide for us diversity and complexity, and we can explore the interdisciplinarity of architectural work.

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

It's really hard to explain what architecture means with few words, maybe it's impossible to give an accurate definition, but I will try. Architecture is a way to translate human meanings, feelings, intentions, in a single location and a single culture, respond to social, practical, economical, environmental and human issues. But at the same time, it’s a universal language with very objective and subjective answers through your materialization. Architecture is not only about new ideas, it's about the way we see the past, understand the present, and project the future. It's about change. Anticipating or creating that change is the way we shape our planet and our lives by architecture.

Why do you participate in architecture vision competitions?

Competitions help us to develop our conceptual thinking, creativity and to explore our architectural boundaries. We believe it is a great opportunity to show to the world what we think and what we love to do.

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

Architecture competitions are a challenge to explore and find yourself, sometimes to lose yourself too, but are a great chance to improve and discover what meaningful architecture is for you. You propose a project in a competition, not for the prize, but for the opportunity to show to the world what you are thinking. And your conceptions can be a translation about your beliefs.

"Follow your dreams and never stop dreaming. Do what you love, dream BIG and transmit your passion. - Luís Henrique Alcântara"