Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge #8 – Salwa Road Site – Honorable mention Winners: Natasha Jasmin Lopes Rodriguez Florencio and Janquiel Lessa Florencio Rodriguez

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the Honorable mention winners of our Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge #8 competition - Salwa Road Site – Natasha Jasmin Lopes Rodriguez Florencio and Janquiel Lessa Florencio Rodriguez from Brazil!

Janquiel Lessa Florencio Rodriguez and Natasha Jasmin Lopes Rodriguez Florencio 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.

We are an independent creative duo formed by professionals from complementary fields: Janquiel Rodriguez, architect and urban planner, and Jasmin Florencio, designer. Our work moves across different scales and disciplines, always seeking innovative solutions and exploring the full creative potential of each project. Janquiel has experience in international architecture competitions, working on projects ranging from micro-housing and small-scale architectural interventions to urban regeneration strategies and large-scale master plans. He currently works as part of a team focused on the development of large-scale projects, where he continues to strengthen both his creative and technical experience. Jasmin brings her background in Design, contributing a strategic perspective focused on visual communication, identity, storytelling, and project presentation. Together, we seek to connect architecture and design through processes that value functionality, creativity, and the human experience, while exploring new ways of responding to contemporary challenges in cities and the built environment.

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 across different scales of architecture because we believe that every project, regardless of its size, has the potential to transform the way people live, interact, and connect with their surroundings. Jasmin is particularly interested in small-scale interventions, including micro-housing, urban retreats, and projects that create intimate and human-centered experiences. Janquiel, on the other hand, is especially passionate about large-scale planning and design, exploring neighborhoods, cities, and entire regions while seeking to connect urban development, sustainability, landscape, and quality of life. Throughout our journey, we have received important recognition for our work. Janquiel was awarded in the field of Urbanism for his undergraduate thesis, “Ubatuba 2024 Master Plan Redesign, ” recognized for its approach to urban regeneration and planning. We were also recognized in the Golden Sand Waterfront 2024 International Competition with our project “WAVES, ” a proposal for the revitalization of a coastal and lakeside waterfront in Northern Italy. The project sought to strengthen the relationship between landscape, public space, and community, creating a more engaging and resilient environment for residents and visitors.

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

For us, architecture is a way of transforming needs, ideas, and contexts into spaces that can improve the way people live, interact, and experience the world around them. It is not limited to the creation of buildings, but also involves understanding territory, culture, landscape, society, and the specific challenges of each place. We believe the role of the architect is to interpret these different layers and translate them into solutions that are functional, sensitive, and meaningful. In our society, architects also have an important responsibility in helping to create cities that are more inclusive, sustainable, and human-centered, while balancing development, local identity, and quality of life.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

We participate in architecture competitions because they are one of the best ways to test our creativity to its fullest potential, often with fewer limitations than conventional professional practice. Competitions give us the freedom to explore ideas, question established solutions, experiment with different scales and approaches, and challenge ourselves to go beyond what we already know. For us, competitions are not only about winning. They are also opportunities for experimentation, learning, creative freedom, and professional growth. Each competition allows us to explore ideas that might otherwise remain only possibilities.

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

We strongly believe that it is far better to test an idea and submit it to a competition than to remain uncertain about its potential. Participating in a competition is, in itself, an opportunity for learning, growth, and professional development, regardless of the final outcome. Every competition challenges us to think differently, refine our skills, and broaden our perspective on architecture. Even when a project is not awarded, it still contributes to our development as professionals. For this reason, our advice is simple: participate, experiment, and share your ideas with the world. Whether you enter a competition or not, the risk is practically the same. The difference is that by participating, you create the possibility of being recognized, receiving valuable feedback, strengthening your portfolio, and discovering the true potential of your work.