MICROHOME Kingspan competition Sustainability Award winners - Hazem Elshafei, Manuel Villalain Gonzalez and Pedro Xavier Martins Silva

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the Sustainability Award winners of our "MICROHOME competition" – Jiwon Jung, Piyatida Wetcho and Hyung Chul Ko from Netherlands!

Jiwon Jung, Piyatida Wetcho and Hyung Chul Ko 

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 met each other back in 2018 in The Netherlands. The friendship between us and our passion for architecture were the two main ingredients that made us find extra time to explore new programmatic challenges and compete in new projects besides our normal jobs. Egypt, Portugal, and Spain are the countries we grew up in and where we studied. We are convinced that our diverse backgrounds, coupled with each individual's expertise, naturally contributed to a seamless and easygoing workflow.

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 most notable collaboration took place in 2019 when we achieved our first international victory. It involved designing a preschool in Mozambique for children with disabilities and those affected by social exclusion. Together with Estamos Juntos Initiative and the Somos del Mundo NGOs, we are in the process of building a school.

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

We believe in architecture as a tool for society, and therefore, we are committed to the challenges of our times. An opportunity to have a positive impact, foster well-being and overall, elevate the human experience.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

A blank page. That is how it starts. As we dream, we discuss and sketch. From chaos to a guideline, the design process is just like a new story, a short one with a beginning, middle, and end. The question arises: What impedes us from embarking on a new odyssey?

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

A chance to break away from our daily routine and explore fresh concepts and ideas. These competitions provide a platform for experimenting and learning from mistakes. Engaging in them allows us to refine a range of skills, from critical thinking to effective design communication. It's an opportunity to sharpen abilities and grow both creatively and professionally.