Architecture Competition Iceland Black Lava Fields Visitor Center Student Award winners - TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY BRAUNSCHWEIG

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the Student Award winners of our “Iceland Black Lava Fields Visitor Center” competition - Annika Möbs Johanna Spies von Büllesheim from Germany.

Annika Möbs Johanna Spies von Büllesheim from Germany

We are both Master’s students at the Technical University of Braunschweig. Although we have never worked on a project together before, we have been friends and travel partners since the beginning of our studies in 2013. This entry is the first international competition for both of us and we enjoyed working on it together. This competition was the perfect fit, because we share an interest for cultural buildings and are interested in the culture and building styles of different countries.

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 compa- ny/ individuals have been involved?

Both of us have enjoyed working on university projects with a focus on cultural buildings, either set in our home country, Germany, or internationally.

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

We believe that architecture is a tool for communicating internationally and across cultural societies. It can be seen as an expression of arts and culture, and therefore expresses a lot of emotion and atmosphere. The role of the architect in society is as a coordinator of connections between people from across the world, and takes part in shaping the future of a society or culture.

Why do you participate in architecture vision competitions?

Participating in an architecture competition allows the participating architects and students to share, discuss and compare views and ideas internationally. This supports the spreading of knowledge and expertise outside of the home, university or workplace.

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 give you the chance to compare your work on an international level and share your interest for a specific topic with other participants. It is a chance for working together with friends or colleagues and finding solutions for a site or problem cooperatively.