Architecture Competition Iceland Movie Pavilion Honorable mention winner - Carmen Matiz

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to one of our Honorable mention winner for our "Iceland Movie Pavilion" competition – Carmen Matiz from United Kingdom!

Carmen Matiz from United Kingdom

An accomplished executive architect by day with a proven track record of contributing to the delivery of complex building projects that shape the built environment of London. Beyond my architectural expertise, I am also a passionate computational designer and robotics enthusiast, utilizing my creativity and technical know-how to push the boundaries of design and technology.

Whether working on large-scale projects or exploring new technologies, I am always looking for ways to create value and make a positive impact. If you're looking for a dynamic and results-driven architect with a passion for innovation, I'm your girl.

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?

I am currently employed, working on the technical design of large-scale project designed by renown architects from concept design to construction. I didn't have the courage to venture on my own just yet, but I believe this competition is a good step in that direction.

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

Architecture, to me, is the way we shape the physical and emotional environment around us. As a computational-savvy architect, I believe an architect's role in society is to plan, design, and oversee the construction of buildings, leveraging advanced computational tools and techniques to create more efficient, sustainable, and innovative designs. By utilizing artificial intelligence and other computational tools to explore and test various design options, an architect can assist in creating buildings that are not only functional, safe, and environmentally responsible, but also an experience that contributes to the quality of life of those who inhabit and use these spaces.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

Sincerely, competitions are a pain and a blessing. A competition can provide an opportunity to work on projects that are different from the typical work, which can help expand a designer’s skills and knowledge, but it also involves unpaid hours of work that might not be visibly rewarded. I personally participate in competitions because it allow me to get out of my comfort zone and experiment with new challenges. By pushing myself to explore new ideas and approaches, I find new inspiration and approaches to design that I can bring back to my regular work.

Participating in competitions also helps architects develop their ability to respond to new constraints, and communicate ideas effectively. By stepping outside of our comfort zone, we can discover new opportunities and experiences that can help us grow both personally and professionally.

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

Evaluate your capacity: Participating in architecture competitions can require a significant amount of time, effort, and resources. Make sure you have the capacity to commit fully to the competition before entering, but the most important part: ensure the brief is something you are passionate about and sparks your creativity - as enthusiasm and fun are an important part of any competition.

Open architecture competitions

  • Closest Deadline first
  • Project competitions first
    Selected winning projects have the potential to be constructed
  • Ideas competitions first
    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
project COMPETITION
Sansusī Forest Food Court

Design a sustainable food court structure for the heart of a classical music festival

Prize: MONETARY AWARD + CONSTRUCTION
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Jan 10
Feb 08
Apr 06
ideas COMPETITION
The Home of Shadows

Design a home with no artificial lighting

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Dec 05
Jan 24
Apr 18
project COMPETITION
Portugal Elderly Home

Design a comfortable and accessible home for the elderly in Portugal

Prize: MONETARY AWARD + CONSTRUCTION
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Dec 06
Jan 25
Apr 19
project COMPETITION
Portugal Olive Guest House

Design a guest house and olive oil tasting room located in Portugal

Prize: MONETARY AWARD + CONSTRUCTION
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Dec 08
Jan 27
Apr 21
project COMPETITION
Yoga House in the Bog

Design a yoga guest house located within rich bog wildlife

Prize: MONETARY AWARD + CONSTRUCTION
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Jan 11
Feb 08
Apr 26

Reccuring architecture competitions

ideas COMPETITION
MICROHOME
Small living, huge impact! Edition #6

Design a new concept of small-scale home

Prize: MONETARY AWARD + PUBLICATION IN MAGAZINE
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Feb 16
Apr 18
Jun 16
ideas COMPETITION
Silent contest
For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Museum of Emotions
Edition #3

Use architecture to create different emotional states

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Mar 17
May 19
Jul 21
ideas COMPETITION
Silent contest
For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Architectural Visualization Award
Edition #2

Present your best work and submit your favorite architectural visualization

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Mar 23
May 25
Jul 27
Run repeatedly
Children's Hospice
Home for the Terminally ill / Edition #2

Design a safe and supportive space for children struggling with a terminal illness

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Dec 06
Feb 08
Apr 06
Register now
Run repeatedly
Milan Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series #15

Design a concept for affordable housing in Milan

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Dec 07
Jan 26
Apr 20
Register now
Run repeatedly
Virtual Home
Edition #2

Shape the future of digital living environments

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
May 02
Jul 04
Sep 06
Register now
Run repeatedly
Office
Office Design Challenge / Edition #2

Reimagine the workplace of the future, and design the new way of working

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Jan 03
Mar 01
May 04
Register now
Run repeatedly
Portable Reading Rooms
Edition #2

Design a portable reading room that encourages reading in any location

Prize: MONETARY AWARD + SCOLARSHIP
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Feb 13
Mar 23
May 15
Register now
Run repeatedly
Pavilion Of Humanity: First Contact
Edition #2

How would you represent the best that humanity has to offer through architecture?

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Mar 27
May 25
Jul 24
Register now

Creativity gym Short term competitions for you to exercise your creativity

T-SHIRT DRAWING COMPETITION
The Architect's T-shirt
Edition #18

Design THE architect's t-shirt!

Prize: 3,000 €
Eligibility: open to all

registration deadlines

Remind me
Feb 28
Mar 31
Apr 30
Register now
ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO COMPETITION
THE BUILDNER'S ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO COMPETITION
Edition #3

Submit your online portfolio!

Prize: 5,000 €
Eligibility: open to all

registration deadlines

Remind me
Apr 30
May 31
Jun 30
Register now

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Competition results

Hong Kong 
Pixel Homes

Hong Kong Pixel Homes

Affordable Housing Series #2
MICROHOME

MICROHOME

Small living, huge impact! Edition #4

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