Architecture competition Modern Collective Living Challenge Honorable mention - Architectural Association School of Architecture

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the winners of the Honorable mention of our “Modern Collective Living Challenge” competition - George Guida, Tatjana Crossley and Carolina Gismondi from United Kingdom!

George Guida, Tatjana Crossley and Carolina Gismondi from United Kingdom

 All three of us are currently based in London. While we all had different cultural backgrounds and previous academic paths- Harvard, Oxford Brookes and Politecnico di Milano- we met at the Architectural Association where we are finishing our Master’s and PhD.

Carolina’s project interests have been focusing on the territorial and urban scale. Her final thesis deals with embracing our city’s discontinuities and aims to accept and work within the social and geographical urban islands in our cities.

Tatjana’s research interests focus on the theoretical discourse surrounding the dissolution of the body image using the immersive environment. She is examining the historical manifestations and speculating the future implications and applications of the immersive space architecturally and psychologically.

George is examining the reestablishment of historic models of collective living within the contemporary project of the city. Through a typological reading of the city, his final thesis- ‘The Anti-Block’ presented a series of communal and mixed-use urban block intended to reactivate the city from within.

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

Architecture is a means of representing a society in a particular historic context. The architect not only needs to understand the spatial conditions of the building he/she is designing but also has to have the foresight to take into consideration the current and future social and phenomenological consequences.

Why do you participate in architecture vision competitions?

Architecture vision competitions give an opportunity to speculate on design and test the limits of what architecture can do for society. These competitions stress the importance of conceptual design and research that challenges the profession to create more dialogue.

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

Just do it. You really have nothing to lose and it is a great learning opportunity. Vision competitions are a great platform to expand your own design interests and provide an opportunity to challenge current architectural practice.