Architecture Competition Memorial for Witches 2nd prize winner – Maria Tîlvescu-Nicula

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the 2nd prize winner of our "Memorial for Witches" competition – Maria Tîlvescu-Nicula from Romania!

2nd prize winner from Romania

I am a PhD architect and a teaching assistant at ”Ion Mincu” University of Architecture and Urban Planning, in Bucharest, Romania. I also graduated from Law School at the University of Bucharest.

My PhD degree focuses on the field of memorial architecture. I was born in Romania, right after the fall of the communist regime. I did not get to live those times, but I grew up in a society that still bore the marks of almost half a century of dictatorship. Thus, I have always been interested in the past and its heritage, fact that was later on reflected on the entire activity that I carried out in the field of architecture.

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?

Although I have a special interest in memorial architecture (and I mention here my first ever-built project – „Resistance and Repression in Bihor”, located in Oradea Fortress, Romania), my practice as an architect included so far a wider variety, from large-scale commercial centers to residential projects, photography and even graphic design. I try to stay as further as possible from a restrained specific subject and I always venture in fields that are less known to me, in order to gain experience and enhance my skills. When I start to feel insecure and scared, I know I am on the right path!

Another important activity for me is participating in architecture competitions in itself, hence I have already gathered a number of international prizes that gave me courage and boosted my confidence in going further on this road.

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

Architecture is the domain that I am most passionate about, a field of peace and struggles at the same time, ever changing, like life itself. Architectural design is the activity where I feel most challenged but also most „at home”. I think the architect should be bold in observing the world, but humble in forging it, stepping gentle and with care while giving the best in the creative process.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

You are given the chance to challenge yourself to the maximum, to refine and sharpen your skills, from the birth of the idea to the most expressive and honest way of transmitting it.

I always felt the anonymity that international architecture competitions offers is extremely important: your situation or origin do not matter anymore; only the skills matter and that is, in my opinion, a very beautiful and valuable thing.

I also think that by participating and winning international competitions, I can inspire my students in doing so, too. So far, the best experiences in my career as an architect have emerged from competition-related circumstances: wheatear we talk about internships, masterclasses, collaboration offers or simply interacting and learning from other architects around the world.

Last, but not least, I participate because it brings me great joy and I simply love doing it.

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

There are winners in architecture competitions, but there are no losers, only passionate people engaged in an experience that will help them grow. Keep it simple, participate with enthusiasm and passion and do not give up! It will improve your whole career in so many (unexpected) ways! And don’t forget to have fun along the way!

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
project COMPETITION
Sansusī Forest Food Court

Design a sustainable food court structure for the heart of a classical music festival

Prize: MONETARY AWARD + CONSTRUCTION
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Jan 10
Feb 08
Apr 06
ideas COMPETITION
The Home of Shadows

Design a home with no artificial lighting

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Dec 05
Jan 24
Apr 18
project COMPETITION
Portugal Elderly Home

Design a comfortable and accessible home for the elderly in Portugal

Prize: MONETARY AWARD + CONSTRUCTION
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Dec 06
Jan 25
Apr 19
project COMPETITION
Portugal Olive Guest House

Design a guest house and olive oil tasting room located in Portugal

Prize: MONETARY AWARD + CONSTRUCTION
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Dec 08
Jan 27
Apr 21
project COMPETITION
Yoga House in the Bog

Design a yoga guest house located within rich bog wildlife

Prize: MONETARY AWARD + CONSTRUCTION
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Jan 11
Feb 08
Apr 26

Reccuring architecture competitions

ideas COMPETITION
Silent contest
For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Architectural Visualization Award
Edition #2

Present your best work and submit your favorite architectural visualization

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Mar 23
May 25
Jul 27
ideas COMPETITION
MICROHOME
Small living, huge impact! Edition #6

Design a new concept of small-scale home

Prize: MONETARY AWARD + PUBLICATION IN MAGAZINE
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Feb 16
Apr 18
Jun 16
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 #3

Use architecture to create different emotional states

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Mar 17
May 19
Jul 21
Run repeatedly
Portable Reading Rooms
Edition #2

Design a portable reading room that encourages reading in any location

Prize: MONETARY AWARD + SCOLARSHIP
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Feb 13
Mar 23
May 15
Register now
Run repeatedly
Pavilion Of Humanity: First Contact
Edition #2

How would you represent the best that humanity has to offer through architecture?

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Mar 27
May 25
Jul 24
Register now
Run repeatedly
Children's Hospice
Home for the Terminally ill / Edition #2

Design a safe and supportive space for children struggling with a terminal illness

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Dec 06
Feb 08
Apr 06
Register now
Run repeatedly
Milan Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series #15

Design a concept for affordable housing in Milan

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Dec 07
Jan 26
Apr 20
Register now
Run repeatedly
Virtual Home
Edition #2

Design virtual home as architecture moves into the metaverse

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
May 02
Jul 04
Sep 06
Register now
Run repeatedly
Office
Office Design Challenge / Edition #2

Reimagine the workplace of the future, and design the new way of working

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Jan 03
Mar 01
May 04
Register now

Creativity gym Short term competitions for you to exercise your creativity

T-SHIRT DRAWING COMPETITION
The Architect's T-shirt
Edition #18

Design THE architect's t-shirt!

Prize: 3,000 €
Eligibility: open to all

registration deadlines

Remind me
Feb 28
Mar 31
Apr 30
Register now
ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO COMPETITION
The Buildner's Architecture Portfolio Competition
Edition #2

Submit your online portfolio!

Prize: 5,000 €
Eligibility: open to all

registration deadlines

Remind me
Mar 31
Apr 30
May 31
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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