Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge #8 – Salwa Road Site – Honorable mention Winner: Catia Picolo

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the Honorable mention winner of our Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge #8 competition - Salwa Road Site – Catia Picolo from Brazil!

Catia Picolo from Brazil

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.

BESPOKE is a Brazilian multidisciplinary design studio founded in 2010. Our work spans interior architecture, temporary architecture, scenography and graphic design. Led by an architect and a graphic designer, the studio combines spatial thinking with visual communication and takes a tailored approach to every project. Our practice is guided by innovation, transparency and personalisation. We keep exploring new materials and technologies, looking for solutions shaped by the purpose and context of each commission. Eight years of professional experience in Europe broadened our perspective, which we bring together with a close understanding of local needs.

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?

BESPOKE has developed projects for clients such as Santander, ApexBrasil and the Brazilian Government, including events connected to BRICS. Through interiors, temporary installations and scenographic environments, we give form to ideas and invite people into meaningful experiences. We aim to create spaces that do more than surround people, spaces that move them.

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

For me, architecture begins with attention: to the city, to the people who live in it, to the relationships between them and to the environment they share. Its value lies in the atmosphere it establishes: architecture does not exist merely to be seen, but to be lived. I believe architecture has the power to create emotion. A space can hold an experience and bring people closer to one another. In that sense, architecture cannot be only functional or visual; it can also be a place of healing. Architects also carry an essential responsibility for how cities develop and for the environment. Our work brings technical knowledge together with social awareness to shape the relationship between people, place and nature. Designing means making conscious choices, reducing impact and using resources carefully, without giving up comfort or beauty.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

I entered this competition because it brings together the fields that have shaped my professional path: architecture, scenography and strategic design. It also invited me to explore these disciplines at a scale I had never worked with before. For me, this was an opportunity to challenge myself, expand my creative process and imagine possibilities beyond the limits of everyday practice.

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

I would encourage anyone to take part. Competitions can be especially valuable for architects who feel their daily practice has become limiting, or who are unsure where their career is heading. They offer a chance to reconnect with creativity, explore ideas freely and work on projects that everyday commissions rarely allow. Beyond recognition, competitions broaden knowledge, invite new ways of thinking and bring renewed energy to the design process.