Architecture Competition MICROHOME 2019 1st prize winners - Jerry Liu and Jesse Basran

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the 1st prize winners of our “MICROHOME 2019 ” competition -  Jerry Liu and Jesse Basran from Canada!

Jerry Liu and Jesse Basran from Canada

Bla Design Group was founded by Jerry and Jesse in Vancouver, Canada during the summer of 2018. We are currently a small studio of 4 people, working closely with our clients to understand their individual needs. Our goal is to create design solutions that are both beautiful and highly functional.

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?

While we have worked on a wide range of projects, we choose to focus primarily on single-family residential homes. This type of design is what we enjoy the most, and what we are best at.

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

Architecture is about problem solving, and a good architect can solve a multitude of diverse problems simultaneously, with an elegant solution. As it relates to society, the work of architects shapes the experiences of everyone, directly and indirectly every day.

Why do you participate in architecture vision competitions?

Participating in architecture competitions is a way for us to take a step back from our day-to-day work and experiment with different ideas on design challenges that we may not otherwise come across. The process of working on a competition is rigorous and demanding, and helps us to keep an open mind, aiding our design and critical-thinking skills as they apply to real world projects.

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

If you are on the fence, just go for it! Although the results are exciting, it is through the competition design process that you will learn and improve the most. Each competition tremendously improves design abilities, time management, and presentation skills, regardless of the result.