Architecture Competition MICROHOME / Edition #5 1st prize winner – UArchitects

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the 1st prize winner of our "MICROHOME / Edition #5" competition – Misak Terzibasiyan, Thimo Derks and Amir Feizinezhadgheshlagh from Netherlands!

Misak Terzibasiyan from Netherlands

UArchitects was founded in 2003 in the Netherlands and it is based in Eindhoven and we have at the studio at approximately 6 employees. My name is Misak Terzibasiyan, I am the founder and Principal Architect of UArchitects.

I studied at the University of Technology in Eindhoven (The Netherlands) and I have been working at international architectural offices before founding his studio in the city of Eindhoven. UArchitects is a studio with the focus on Urban design,  Architecture, Interior architecture and product design. UArchitects investigative attitude is expressed in the intensive dialogue we undertake with our clients. The scope for reflection is not confined to the projects themselves; we also look into the wider cultural context of architecture and urban development.

Reflection helps for interactions in another culture and it helps us to understand our position regarding general themes which are part of society. Understanding the identity of society is fundamental for us when we are designing projects in other cultures and places. It is not a typical critical regionalism, but an open approach of the context. A non-dogmatic attitude regarding architecture and urban design.

UArchitects are fascinated by the interplay of levels of scale and imagination: the scale of the city and the scale of the individual; imagination in the abstract and imagination in concrete form. We do not look for the interconnection in just one relentless, dogmatic theme; we prefer to investigate it in a range of different concepts. Our design philosophy remains recognisable throughout: intuitive and reflective, and always based on our fascination for people and places.

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?

Our studio is involved in different kind of projects such as school, private houses, affordable housing and we also participate in smart city development.

Recent years we realized a school in Belgium (round school of Belgium)  in the city of Bocholt. Just a few months ago we have won an European tender for a multifunctional collective building of 5000 m². This project will be realized in the period 2024-2025. We are also involved in South of France for a collective living project in close connection with the nature. This is still in a sketch phase and will be continued to the final design phase in 2023-2024.

 

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

Architecture give meaning to life and our society. It has always been a part of our civilization. There is a thin line between design and art. Sometimes architecture is form of art – it can also be timeless and iconic. The extent to which architecture can be interesting, functional, beautiful and iconic, often depends on the architect.

Imagining a world without architecture is imagining a world without meaning and without experience of beauty and life. I prefer to speak about architecture rather than the word design. The term ‘architecture’ has a deeper meaning and has more layers than the word ‘design’.

Our and mine design process of architecture is an iterative process, and every project starts with a different approach. Because we think in terms of process, there is never just one way of designing. We design in collaboration with a team, and the design process is more of an interaction and a deliberation between team members. This allows you to think in more of a democratic way during the design process instead of the top-down approach you often see in large architecture firms.

I see the role of an architect as a team player in the studio. The architect can be modest and empathic in our society, even the architect should be involved in urgent and social themes such as climate, affordable housing, building environment and take notice of the importance of the context.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

We can think out of the box and try different kinds of concepts and new experiments. Thinking conceptually, applying new ideas and developing sketches into actual buildings and concepts – in some small measure, it is a feeling of the divine, because you are allowing something that was not there to be created. It appears later in its context, providing meaning and experience.

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

To participate in an architecture competition gives all kind of benefits. First of all, you will be challenged on a high international level. It doesn’t matter that you win, because you will always learn new things about the subjects and the possibilities of new concepts. You have to see these competitions as a practical school where you can learn to design a building in a quick and efficient way. It is also interesting to see how other architects design and present their projects.

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
ideas COMPETITION
Beyond Isolation: Senior Housing
Senior living. Edition#2

Reimagine senior living spaces

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Jun 08
Sep 08
Nov 02
project COMPETITION
The Legendary Highway 14 Tower

Design an iconic tower for De Smet, South Dakota, USA

Prize: MONETARY AWARD + CONSTRUCTION
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Jun 09
Sep 12
Nov 03
project COMPETITION
Iceland Beer Spa

Design a beer spa in Iceland's captivating landscape

Prize: MONETARY AWARD + CONSTRUCTION
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Jun 14
Sep 14
Nov 08
ideas COMPETITION
The Architect's Chair
Edition #1

Take a seat and make a statement!

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Jun 06
Sep 06
Nov 01

Reccuring architecture competitions

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.
The Last Nuclear Bomb Memorial
Edition #3

Design a memorial that speaks to the cause of ending all nuclear weapons programs

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Jun 26
Sep 03
Nov 05
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
Virtual Home
Edition #2

Shape the future of digital living environments

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
May 02
Jul 04
Sep 06
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
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
Register now
Run repeatedly
Los Angeles Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series #16

Design affordable housing solutions in Los Angeles

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Jun 07
Sep 07
Nov 01
Register now

Creativity gym Short term competitions for you to exercise your creativity

T-SHIRT DRAWING COMPETITION
The Architect's T-shirt
Edition #19

Design THE architect's t-shirt!

Prize: 3,000 €
Eligibility: open to all

registration deadlines

Remind me
May 31
Jun 30
Jul 31
Register now
ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO COMPETITION
THE BUILDNER'S ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO COMPETITION
Edition #4

Submit your online portfolio!

Prize: 5,000 €
Eligibility: open to all

registration deadlines

Remind me
Jun 30
Jul 31
Aug 31
Register now

Please enter your email address to receive download link

Thank you!

The download link will be sent to your email shortly

please check the spam folder
in case you can not find it
OK

Competition results

Hong Kong 
Pixel Homes

Hong Kong Pixel Homes

Affordable Housing Series #2
MICROHOME

MICROHOME

Small living, huge impact! Edition #4

Sign up for our newsletter

Be the first to know when
new competitions are launched!