Iceland Beer Spa Honorable mention winners - Yuyuan Chen, Lina Jia, 雨 雷 and Jia Xu

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the Honorable mention winners of our "Iceland Beer Spa" competition – Yuyuan Chen, Lina Jia, 雨 雷 and Jia Xu from China!

Yuyuan Chen, Lina Jia, 雨 雷 and Jia Xu

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.

We hail from diverse academic backgrounds but have united under a shared love for design. Lina is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Design at Donghua University, while Yuyuan and Jiahui are on the brink of graduating with Bachelor's degrees in Design from Shenzhen Technology University. Yu Lei is concurrently working toward a Bachelor's degree in Design at Xiamen University. Through our participation in this competition, we aspire to communicate our distinct ideas through design and contribute to the betterment of our world.

Our team is united by a mutual passion for sustainable architecture, with a particular focus on interior architecture and landscape design. Drawing from our extensive experience across various scales, including academic research, professional practice, and participation in competition projects, we possess the expertise to seamlessly integrate innovative concepts with sustainability principles in our designs.

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?

Our team members are all students, so we have relatively limited exposure to real projects. Nevertheless, we are eagerly looking forward to participating in designs for projects of various scales in the future, in order to expand our professional knowledge and practical experience.

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

For us, architecture transcends mere physical manifestation; it represents a multidimensional interplay involving the intricate relationship between people, the environment, and the built form. At every stage of conceptualization and design, architects strive to create spaces that deepen the interaction between humans and their surroundings. These spaces serve not only as physical delineations but also as vessels of emotion, culture, and history, allowing individuals to experience, perceive, and narrate their own stories within them. The responsibilities of architects in society extend far beyond mere structural design. They must consider not only the functionality and aesthetics of buildings but also their interaction with people and the region's past and future development.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

Participating in architectural competitions provides us with an excellent platform to showcase and demonstrate our abilities, which is a rare opportunity. Collaborating and creating alongside partners from diverse backgrounds greatly enhances our understanding and familiarity with the project design process.

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

Competitions serve as an excellent platform to showcase personal design and creative talents. As a soon-to-graduate student majoring in design, participating in such practical activities not only allows us to apply the knowledge we have acquired but also enables us to gain valuable experience and establish networks with peers from diverse backgrounds. Most importantly, competitions represent a process of self-challenge, where regardless of the final outcome, we can experience growth and reap rewards.