Architecture competition "Nemrut Volcano Eyes" Honorable mention - Holger Patricio Cuadrado Torres, Edwin Patricio Moreno Estrada, Jimmy Paul Sinchire Capa and José Armando Paucar Ríos

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the winners of one of our Honorable mentions for the “Nemrut Volcano Eyes” competition - Holger Patricio Cuadrado Torres, Edwin Patricio Moreno Estrada, Jimmy Paul Sinchire Capa and José Armando Paucar Ríos from Ecuador!

Honorable mention winners from Ecuador

I trained as an architect and completed my Master's degree in architectural design at the University of Cuenca, Ecuador in 2012. My architecture studio is currently based in the city of Loja, Ecuador, combining architecture professional practice, construction, and academic research.

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 company/ individuals have been involved?

We have developed several projects in private commissions and design competitions at very different scales, ranging from urbanism to architecture. In the academic field, the projects entitled "Double comb, new amphibious city model" developed in the International Academic Contest: Resilient Communities CIU-HABITAT within the framework of the 2016 Habitat III Conference developed in Quito Ecuador that obtained the 1st place in its category, and the project entitled "Productive social housing in Andean cities" that won the honorable mention in the I DESIGNING THE FUTURE IDEAS COMPETITION organized by the DTF Magazine: DESIGNING THE FUTURE. Architecture and innovation of Spain in 2017, stand out.

In the professional field - at the architectural project scale - the project "MALL AND TOURIST CENTER IN PASA-ECUADOR" developed within the framework of the I NATIONAL CONGRESS OF ARCHITECTURE ECUADOR CNAE in 2017, was awarded with the second-place prize.

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

Architecture is construction, it builds places, it defines relationships between people and their environment, it is based on the conscious interpretation of the geographical space that people occupy or will occupy. Its fundamental role and meaning have to do with the protection of life and respect for nature.

The role of the architect as such, has to do with the ability to approach, understand and interpret social problems and needs, take advantage of resources, and be critical to propose coherent solutions that facilitate processes and enhance the virtues of the place.

Why do you participate in architecture vision competitions?

I understand competitions as a mental exercise, in which you ask, think and reflect on the search for universal solutions to specific isolated problems.

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

The architect's training has to be understood as a process that is consolidated with experience. Participating in competitions allows us to reflect, question and rethink to solve problems objectively and coherently in any environment.