Architecture Competition Las Vegas Affordable Housing Challenge Buildner Student Award winner – Centro Universitário Belas Artes , Fine Arts - Unit 3

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the Buildner Student Award winner of our "Las Vegas Affordable Housing Challenge" competition – Sofia Machado from Brazil!

Sofia Machado from Brazil

I was born in the capital of the smallest state of Brazil, Aracaju, but currently living in the metropolitan city of São Paulo, in my last year before graduation attending Centro Universitário Belas Artes. Studying here has given me the opportunity to engage freely in my creativity, with the support of technical aspects. But, I am in no way restricted to any Academic structures, motivated by an inner inquietude, and stimulated by my university, I’m always searching for extra activities, got involved with an exchange program at the University of Valladolid, Spain, and participated at the Aiesec Volunteer program directly at the second and twelfth UN development goals. Currently, I’m in the process of developing an academic research about desertification at the biome caatinga located in the Northeast region of Brazil.

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?

Since the beginning of my course, I had a lot of opportunities to do internships where I have dealt with projects on different scales, for example, interior design, residential, commercial, institutional, and housing projects, being one of my favorites.

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

I remember the textures of the tiles where I used to play in my grandmother's house, also the way the sunlight bathed the exterior walls, reminding us that it was time to take a break and eat something. Architecture helps me remember important things in my life and consequently who I am. On the other hand, it also helps me to plan my future so that one day I can build my own independence. This individual aspect reflects on other scales associated with society, as architecture helps us to improve the concrete reality, and also idealize a better future.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

Personally, I see architecture competitions as an intellectual delight and a way to acknowledge and measure the current practices on an international basis. Also, it is a way to improve my skills of design and graphic representation and keep them at the sharpest level.

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 not focusing on winning, just entering a competition and doing your best project with a given theme promotes a huge improvement in a person’s way of design. In a competition one always learns and tries something new in order to learn more about oneself and personal abilities.