Kinderspace / Edition #2 competition 3rd Prize winners - Zihe Chen and Thomas Doan

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the 3rd Prize winners of our Kinderspace / Edition #2 competition – Zihe Chen and Thomas Doan from Australia!

Zihe Chen and Thomas Doan

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, Thomas and Zi, are both graduates of the Master of Architecture program at the University of Adelaide. While we currently work at different practices, we’ve remained closely connected through a shared passion for design and creativity.

Zi completed her Master’s in 2022 and has since been working at ARM Architecture, a highly regarded and conceptually driven studio known for its bold, expressive work. Based in Adelaide, she contributes to a range of projects across the health and education sectors, drawing on her strengths in digital design and form-making.

Thomas graduated in 2023 and now works at TCL (Taylor Cullity Lethlean), one of Australia’s most awarded landscape architecture firms. His work spans a variety of public projects - from national parks to playful community spaces - where he brings a strong interest in designing shared environments that foster interaction and connection.

While our professional paths have diverged, our love for creative exploration in architecture continues to inspire our collaborative efforts outside of practice.

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?

Throughout our academic and early professional careers, we've explored different ends of the architectural spectrum, which has fostered a strong appreciation for each other's unique perspectives.

Zi’s Master's work focused on speculative and unbuilt design, with an emphasis on digital form generation and experimental processes. She’s particularly interested in how emerging technologies can expand architectural thinking. These explorations now inform her work on real-world health and education projects in Adelaide, where she applies digital design tools to create responsive and innovative environments.

Thomas’s Master's projects centred on the design of shared spaces that encourage spontaneous interactions among people with diverse backgrounds. Rooted in a strong interest in open, public void spaces, his work explores how space and light has the ability to add value to the everyday through encouraging connection of people, history and vegetation. At TCL, he brings this philosophy into practice through projects ranging from expansive national parks to small, playful playgrounds.

Together, we explore architecture as a tool for creating meaningful connections between people and place.

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

To us, architecture is a powerful tool for shaping how people connect with their environment, their communities, and the histories that surround them. It’s not just about buildings, it’s about creating spaces that influence everyday experiences and reflect shared cultural values. We believe architects play an important role in designing for all users, people, animals, and the natural environment. Good design supports social connection, encourages coexistence, and helps carry forward the stories of place. Sustainability is central to this responsibility, ensuring that our built environment remains respectful and responsive to both ecological systems and cultural contexts.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

We see architecture competitions as an opportunity to step outside the usual boundaries of practice and explore ideas more freely. Competitions give us space to test new concepts, challenge ourselves creatively, and build on our personal interests in design. This competition, in particular, allowed us to collaborate across our different backgrounds, combining Zi’s focus on digital design with Thomas’s new interest in landscape public spaces. It was a valuable chance to learn from each other and develop a project that brings both of our strengths together.

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

Engaging in architecture competitions is a valuable learning experience. Each project offers insights into different aspects of architecture, whether it's understanding a site's context, addressing a client's needs, or collaborating effectively with a team. The process encourages continuous learning and professional growth. Even if a competition doesn't result in a win, the knowledge and experience gained are beneficial and can enhance one's architectural practice.