Architecture Competition Iceland Volcano Museum Green prize winners - Sergi Pérez Muñoz and Belén Rodríguez Vázquez

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the Green prize winners of our “Iceland Volcano Museum” competition - Sergi Pérez Muñoz and Belén Rodríguez Vázquez from Spain! 

Sergi Pérez Muñoz and Belén Rodríguez Vázquez

We are two young architects who graduated from the ETSAB Barcelona School of Architecture. Throughout our experience working in different studios in Barcelona and London, we had the opportunity to work on a variety of projects, ranging from residential, cultural and commercial.

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 company/ individuals have been involved?

Following the Barcelona school tradition, the projects we have been involved in attempt to create an identification between the users and the environment where the projects are located. Our professional background has focused on affordable housing and cultural projects, having a complete vision from the conceptual idea through construction and structural development.

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

Architecture has the ability to change people’s lives through the sensations and emotions generated by the designed spaces. The architect has the responsibility of giving an answer to the concerns of society, bearing in mind the context and its history. Establishing a dialogue with the surroundings, not just with aesthetic composition, but also making suitable buildings.

Why do you participate in architecture vision competitions?

Competitions for us are a great way to develop our creativity and express our vision of architecture. We participate in vision competitions when we find extra time in our office work, as it gives us the opportunity to think in design issues more than in our daily work.

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

Vision competitions allow architects to work in different contexts and give the opportunity to express their creativity. We regard it as research, and it helps us to push ourselves forward. Are you looking for challenges to improve your skills as an architect? Then vision competitions are the best.