Norman Foster Foundation Kharkiv Housing Challenge competition Honorable mention winners - Yi Shi and Chuxi Zhou

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the Honorable mention winners of our "Norman Foster Foundation Kharkiv Housing Challenge" competition – Yi Shi and Chuxi Zhou from United Kingdom!

Yi Shi and Chuxi Zhou 

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.

Our professional journeys, shaped by education and practice in China and the UK, converged at the Architectural Association in London. Attending the Projective Cities MPhil programme, we focused on tackling contemporary urban challenges through rigorous research and innovative design. We now apply this multi-disciplinary and multi-scalar design expertise in our work in London.

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 specialize in design research and typological studies, addressing challenges at the intersection of architecture, urban design, and planning.

Yi’s MPhil dissertation, From Factory to Fireside: Dwelling with Small Manufacturing in London, takes the urban small-scale factories as a vehicle to interrogate the dynamic role of urban production space.

Chuxi’s MPhil dissertation, Redefining Logistics Infrastructure: A Case Study of Taobao Village, discusses the issue of logistics in the architectural discipline through the lens of the Chinese Taobao Village phenomenon.

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

We understand architecture through the broader political and social discourses that define it. Despite challenges, we believe in the architect’s responsibility to promote social and environmental values through thoughtful spatial design.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

We participate in architecture competitions when the briefs resonate with us, presenting challenges we are passionate about and providing opportunities to apply our knowledge and creativity.

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

Participating in architecture competitions offers a unique opportunity to challenge yourself in ways that differ from your daily routine. Embrace the experience to expand your skills and perspectives.