Iceland Slow Sauna competition 1st Prize winners - Chalmers University of Technology

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the 1st and Student Prize winners of our Iceland Slow Sauna competition – Prusha Kadir, Joel Jansson and Emil Sandström from Sweden!

Emil Sandström, Prusha Kadir and Joel Jansson

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 are three Master’s students in Architecture at Chalmers University of Technology. Throughout our studies, we have enjoyed working together on projects and have developed a shared interest in architecture that responds to both people and the environment. As we get closer to graduating, we are excited to challenge ourselves beyond the university context and gain experience through competitions like this one.

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?

As architecture students, our experience has mainly been shaped through academic projects at different scales, alongside smaller design assignments outside of our studies. Throughout our education, we have worked with projects ranging from small-scale pavilions and urban prototypes, to larger multi-storey residential areas. These experiences have shaped our understanding of architecture and helped us develop a shared approach to the design process, with a strong focus on the end user and the experience of the spaces we create. Together, this knowledge and experience formed the foundation we brought into this competition.

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

To us, architecture is found in everyday life, in the places people pass through, gather in, and return to. It gives form to ordinary moments and turns them into something meaningful. To shape space is to shape experience. Every line we draw has the potential to affect how someone moves, feels, or remembers a place – and that is the responsibility of architects.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

We decided to participate in this architecture competition as an opportunity to challenge ourselves, think freely, and grow as future architects. As we approach graduation, it felt like the right moment to apply what we have learned in a real design context, explore ideas beyond the academic framework, and begin sharing our work with the architectural community.

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

Take the leap! Every competition is an opportunity to learn, regardless of the outcome. Stay curious, challenge yourself, and embrace the process, even if you are still studying. You will come away with new knowledge, new perspectives, and a better understanding of yourself as a designer.