Museum of Emotions #6 competition Honorable mention winners - Jun Hanajiri and Takashi Miyase

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the Honorable mention winners of our  "Museum of Emotions #6" competition – Jun Hanajiri and Takashi Miyase from Belgium!

Jun Hanajiri and Takashi Miyase

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 2nd year masters students in Waseda University, Tokyo Japan. And now I'm studying in ULB(Brussels) as an exchange student for a year.

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?

Jun: In the laboratory, my major is Architecture design and Design method. I'm especially interested in design rules made by not-human, such as Natural logic or Mechanical scale, Building law and so on. Like these, I research “unplanned design and its method“ created by No Human Involvement design. 

Takashi: Since my fourth year of bachelor’s degree, I have developed a strong interest in continuous spatial experiences. In my graduation thesis, I researched spatial connectivity in museum architecture, and for my graduation project, I proposed a design that connects traditional Japanese culture with everyday life through continuous architectural forms.

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

Jun: I believe that architecture is a device that generates new discoveries and experiences. Through space, it can evoke awareness, move people emotionally, and at times, even offer hope. Architecture should be more than just functional—it must possess beauty and have the power to resonate deeply with the human heart. This is why I believe it is essential for architecture to constantly pursue new spatial and conceptual possibilities. Architects must seek innovation not only in form and experience but also in the processes and materials that shape their work. The pursuit of these new values leaves a tangible trace in the city, continually redefining architecture’s role in society. At the foundation of all this, I strongly believe that architecture must, above all, be beautiful. That beauty is not limited to appearances—it is deeply connected to how space is composed, how light enters a room, and how people live within and interact with the built environment. To seek the new is to remain open to society, to keep asking questions, and to continue learning. In an ever-changing world, architecture must engage with its time while creating places that linger in memory. This is the kind of architecture I aspire to create. 

Takashi: For me, architecture serves as a bridge between myself and society. Realizing that I can design architecture to express my interests and concerns to the world is what drives me to continue learning and researching. I believe architecture has the power to offer people new perspectives and awareness through the experiences it creates. In today’s increasingly efficient society—where culture, history, and various social issues are often disconnected from daily life—architecture can play a vital role in helping people reconnect with these essential aspects. With this belief in mind, I aspire to create architecture that seamlessly connects people’s everyday lives with the broader context that surrounds them.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

Competitions allow me to understand my true abilities objectively. At the same time, I see participating in competitions as a way to improve myself. Through this process, we can gain professional knowledge, enhance our rendering skills, and more. I often enter competitions with specific goals in mind—for example, "learning how to use Lumion." We also found the Buildner competition appealing as an opportunity to refine our pure ideas. In particular, this competition—which did not allow the use of text—challenged us to communicate our concepts solely through architectural form and visuals. We found this especially interesting, as it pushed us to focus on the most essential aspects of architecture.

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're interested in architecture competitions, you should definitely participate. You'll gain a lot from the experience.