Architecture Competition Iceland Volcano Coffee Shop AAPPAREL Sustainability award winners – Clément Molinier and Philippe Paumelle

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the AAPPAREL Sustainability award winners of our "Iceland Volcano Coffee Shop" competition – Clément Molinier and Philippe Paumelle from France!

AAPPAREL Sustainability award winners from France

We are both young graduates of the Grenoble School of Architecture. We graduated with the AE&CC (Architecture, Environment & Constructive Cultures) master's degree. This master's degree allowed us to build 1:1 architectural projects, from design to implementation during our studies. Our practice has a strong site, context and, more generally, “genius loci” approach.

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?

During our studies, we had the opportunity to design different projects at various scales and levels of detail, from 1:1 construction to large scale projects. We have also participated in numerous competitions over the past few years to develop working methodologies and architectural concepts. There is no such thing as small architecture. Huts and monuments have the same value, each project deserves our full attention.

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

Architecture is a declension of the forms and forces of nature. We see ourselves as interpreters and try to organise the material to capture the sensibilities of the world.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

Architecture competitions are opportunities for us to test new ways of representation and design. As young architects, they also allow us to forge a work methodology and to sharpen our architectural discourse. Moreover, the competition subjects allow us to push concepts quite far, and to re-use the best of them in our work.

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

The competition is a time for taking risks and expressing all of one's creativity without worrying about other issues; everyone can set their own standards. Regardless of one's level or age, they inevitably lead to progress in our practice.