Architecture competition "Modern Collective Living Challenge" 3rd prize winner - University of Waterloo

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the winner of the 3rd prize of our “Modern Collective Living Challenge” competition -  Zihao Wei from Canada!

Zihao Wei from Canada

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.

I don’t have a company right now. I am currently a third-year student from the University of Waterloo, School of Architecture in Ontario, Canada.

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?

I have participated in projects (school projects) of various scales, from small residences to urban housing projects.

Why do you participate in architecture vision competitions?

I like interesting challenges that I cannot often encounter in school. Schools are training us for the professional world, so we will have a very certain theme and specific requirements which can be constraining sometimes. Competitions give me more freedom and control to think about architecture problems and it is fun.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO INDIVIDUALS WHO STRUGGLE TO DECIDE WHETHER IT WOULD BE BENEFICIAL FOR THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN ARCHITECTURE VISION COMPETITIONS?

I think it depends on different scenarios. I will only recommend it if you find a competition that indeed interests you and you happen to have some spare time.