Architecture Competition The Last Genocide Memorial Honorable mention - Paya Salem

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to one of our Honorable mention winners for our "The Last Genocide Memorial" competition – Paya Salem from Canada!

Paya Salem from Canada

Paya is a young architect and a graduate of the Master of Architecture program from University of Calgary, (Alberta, Canada) Throughout his studies and after his graduation in 2017, he had the opportunity to collaborate with architecture firms of different sizes across Canada in various capacities.

With a background in music and visual arts, and also an interest in behavioural science, he continuously tries to weave his professional career as an architect into an exploration of how architecture and arts can act as potential drivers for positive behaviour change throughout the personal/social spectrum.

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?

For the past few years, my career focus has been on creating a sense of place in residential projects of various scales, along with design explorations of public spaces through participating in architecture competitions.

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

To me, architecture is a potential tool that can produce a wide range of tangible and intangible outcomes. Outcomes that are mainly dependent on the socio-geographical context, designer's intention, and more importantly, the level of consciousness in which the users interact with the built environment. I look at architecture as a tool/platform that can create an ecosystem which gives rise to positive social change.

With the fast-changing scenery, especially in the world of technology, I believe architects need to start re-navigating and re-defining their role which stayed the same throughout almost all of the history of civilization. To me, flexibility can be the key core characteristic of a digital age architect in the face of uncertainty and rapid paradigm shifts.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

Participating in design and architecture competitions both as a student and later as an architect often gave me that blank design canvas to draw on more freely. A canvas with different and maybe minimal set of constraints compared to the professional projects that I have dealt with in different offices for the past few years. I believe competitions like this contribute a lot to pushing the edge of design and architecture.

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

I would say, "Do it!". Keep your grand vision but be micro-ambitious in the way you approach the subject.

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
ideas COMPETITION
The Architect's Chair
Edition #1

Take a seat and make a statement!

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Jun 06
Sep 06
Nov 01
ideas COMPETITION
Beyond Isolation: Senior Housing
Senior living. Edition#2

Reimagine senior living spaces

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Jun 08
Sep 08
Nov 02
project COMPETITION
The Legendary Highway 14 Tower
South Dakota, USA

Design an iconic tower for De Smet, South Dakota, USA

Prize: MONETARY AWARD + POTENTIAL TO BE REALISED
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Jun 09
Sep 12
Nov 03
project COMPETITION
Iceland Beer Spa

Design a beer spa in Iceland's captivating landscape

Prize: MONETARY AWARD + POTENTIAL TO BE REALISED
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Jun 14
Sep 14
Nov 08

Reccuring architecture competitions

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 #4

Use architecture to create different emotional states

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Sep 27
Nov 28
Jan 30
ideas COMPETITION
Silent contest
For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
The Last Nuclear Bomb Memorial
Edition #3

Design a memorial that speaks to the cause of ending all nuclear weapons programs

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Jun 26
Sep 03
Nov 05
ideas COMPETITION
Workplace Reimagined
Edition #3

Redefine the future of workspaces

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Sep 14
Nov 16
Jan 18
Run repeatedly
Los Angeles Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series #16

Design affordable housing solutions in Los Angeles

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Jun 07
Sep 07
Nov 01
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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