Architecture Competition Museum of Emotions / Edition #2 Honorable mention winners - Linda Brokmar and Martin Smedsén

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to one of our Honorable mention winners for our "Museum of Emotions / Edition #2" competition – Linda Brokmar and Martin Smedsén from Sweden!  

We are two aspiring architects that graduated from the Master’s Programme at Umeå School of Architecture in 2021. Currently based in Sweden.

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 enjoy working with architecture as a means of exploring what’s possible. Linda is curious about the material aspect of architecture. She dreams of an architecture profession that attends to the whole lifecycle of buildings beyond the stage of completion. In her practice she likes to consider factors such as nature, time and weathering. Martin’s interest is in human behaviors and the activity of play in the public realm. He is a believer of understanding instead of changing, and questions the purpose of building just for the sake of building.

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

Architecture is a tool that helps us shape the spaces we inhabit and lets us understand the world we live in. Humans have always been doing architecture long before the appearance of architects. The architect is just one among many hands involved. Architecture is a collaborative process, a co-creation.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

Architecture competitions are a fun way to challenge our thinking and improve our skills. Participating in competitions gives us an opportunity to work with architecture without the constraints of permits, policies and regulations. It is fun to push the boundaries of what architecture can be.

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

If you are thinking about participating in a competition, we would say go for it! Have fun and enjoy the process.