Architecture Competition Iceland Volcano Coffee Shop Honorable mention – Giuseppe D'Albenzio Architect

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to one of our Honorable mention winner for our "Iceland Volcano Coffee Shop" competition – Giuseppe D'Albenzio from Italy!

Giuseppe D'Albenzio from Italy

GDA is an architecture firm founded in 2000 by the architect Giuseppe D'Albenzo. The studio has always worked in national and international competitions, obtaining first prizes, awards, mentions, publications and more, considering architecture competitions the tool par excellence for making quality architecture and working. The architecture competitions faced since 2001 are numerous, from multi-exchange parking lots to large office complexes, congress centres, university complexes, auditoriums, libraries, sports infrastructures, football stadiums, high-speed stations, museums, small tourist airports, and urban and coastal redevelopment.

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?

Since 2001, the GDA studio has dealt with multiple projects, from multi-exchange car parks to large office complexes, conference centres, auditoriums, university complexes, auditoriums, libraries, sports infrastructures, football stadiums, high- speed stations, museums, tourist airports, and urban and coastal redevelopment.

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

We like to borrow a famous quote to answer this question, “Everything we do is for people; no matter what the project is, it's for people. This is how people can get the most out of a building, be it a museum, theatre, or residential space. Behind it all is the desire to communicate what this space is for people.” In Italian it says, “A Space for People”.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

The architectural firm GDA participates in competitions because it believes that it is the only instrument of excellence for creating quality architecture.

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

To be persevering.