MICROHOME #10 competition 3rd Prize winners - Maria Jose Morocho Rojas, Christian German Medina Romero and Grace Catalina Gavilanes Palacios

 We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce the 3rd Prize winners of MICROHOME #10 competition – Maria Jose Morocho Rojas, Christian German Medina Romero and Grace Catalina Gavilanes Palacios from Ecuador!

 
3rd Prize winners from Ecuador

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.

We became friends while studying architecture in the University of Cuenca in Ecuador. After graduating, each one of us started working for different companies, designing projects of different kinds and scales: residential, industrial, educational, and more. We have also taken part in urban design projects and smaller-scale work, like furniture design. Currently, two of us -Christian and Grace- live in Cuenca. Grace recently finished her master’s in Interior Design, and María José lives in Hungary, where she studied a master’s program in Architecture and Interior Design. We saw this contest as a chance to reconnect and learn from the experiences and perspectives we’ve each developed over the years.

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?

We’ve worked on residential, industrial, commercial, and educational projects, as well as interior and furniture design. Because of the cities we live in, it’s common for us to work on sites with historical value. Christian also has experience in urban planning, technical supervision, architectural visualization, and 3D-printed models. Grace and María José have gained solid experience in interior design and furniture design. Some of the projects we’ve worked on include the renovation and extension plan for the Regional Hospital of Cuenca, one of the biggest hospitals in the southern region; and the competition for the Quito Metropolitan Corridor, which involved not only urban design but also sociology, psychology, landscape architecture, and other disciplines. The design of the Health Innovation Center in Cuenca transformed the old hospital into a research and experimentation center. We also took part in the CAOS Humanidad competition, where the goal was to propose a non-traditional architectural solution for the future, keeping in mind challenges such as a global pandemic.

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

For us, architecture is a tool for social transformation that connects people's needs with the natural and built environment. We believe that architecture should generate well-being, resilience, and opportunities, especially in the face of current challenges such as climate change, inequality and the shortage of decent housing. In this sense, architects are mediators between community, technology, and territory. They have a responsibility to propose sensitive, sustainable, and technical solutions that improve quality of life and strengthen the social fabric.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

We participate in competitions because they provide a space for creative freedom, allowing us to explore ideas without the typical limitations of professional practice. They enable us to take on conceptual challenges, experiment with new strategies, and dive deeper into topics we consider priorities, such as minimal housing, climate resilience, and social integration. Furthermore, competitions motivate us to grow as a team, strengthen our methodologies, and share our vision with a global community.

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

 We advise you to give it a try, even if you have doubts. A competition is an opportunity to learn, improve, and expand your horizons. The process encourages creativity, synthesis, and collaborative work. Every proposal, whether it wins or not, becomes a valuable piece of your portfolio and a firm step toward a more solid practice. Competitions allow you to dare to think differently, discover new possibilities, and develop your own voice and style.