Kinderspace / Edition #2 competition Honorable mention winners - Jihoon Kim, Yun Jeong Han, Boseul Seo and Ka Heun Hyun

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the Honorable mention winners of our Kinderspace / Edition #2 competition – Jihoon Kim, Yun Jeong Han, Boseul Seo and Ka Heun Hyun from United States!

Jihoon Kim, Yun Jeong Han, Boseul Seo and Ka Heun Hyun

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.

Jihoon Kim, Yunjeong Han, Boseul Seo, and Kaheun Hyun are architectural designers currently based in New York, NY. Jihoon is a graduate of Cornell AAP, Yunjung and Kaheun are graduates of Columbia GSAPP, and Boseul is currently pursuing her Master of Architecture at Cornell AAP.

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?

Our team has collaborated in different roles and combinations across multiple projects, which has fostered a dynamic and well-connected working relationship. When entering competitions, the process often begins with casual conversations or even jokes, which gradually develop into strong architectural ideas. In past projects, the team has explored topics such as circular economy and sustainability, reflecting a shared interest in socially and environmentally responsible design.

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

Architecture connects politics, society, economy, and ecology with everyday life. It is a way to translate complex conditions into spaces that offer care, visibility, and connection. Every building leaves a mark, so thoughtful design matters for people, places, and the world around us.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

Architecture competitions offer a chance to step away from everyday constraints and explore bold ideas. They allow us to pursue what matters to us, experiment freely, and transform casual conversations into concrete design proposals. More than a final product, they are about thinking critically, collaborating closely, and discovering a clearer design voice through the process.

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

Jihoon: “Just keep dreaming and testing your ideas through competitions. It is one of the best ways to grow as a designer, not only in skill but also in confidence, creativity, and clarity of thought.”

Yunjeong: “Choose a topic you’re genuinely interested in, and find teammates you work well with. There are always competitions happening, and if you look around, you’ll come across ones that truly excite you. Of course, they require time and effort, but when you complete one, you’ll likely feel how much you’ve grown as a designer. Most importantly, try to approach the competition with the same level of commitment and care as you would for a project at school or work. That sense of ownership makes all the difference.”

Boseul: “Try building a team with people you trust, and choose a topic you have always wanted to explore. Architecture competitions offer a chance to study the world through design beyond institutional boundaries. There is something incredibly powerful about taking an idea that has been in your head and translating it into space with your own hands. That kind of hands-on exploration often leads to the most meaningful learning in architecture.”

Kaheun: “The value lies in the process. You do not need a perfect idea, just start. Competitions help clarify your design voice and lead to growth even if the outcome is not certain.”