Architecture Competition Portugal Elderly Home Honorable mention winners – Quentin Roy and Samuel Cabiron

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to one of our Honorable mention winners for our "Portugal Elderly Home" competition – Quentin Roy and Samuel Cabiron from France!

Honorable mention winners from France

We are neither an agency nor a collective, but rather two architects working together "outside the walls". Our collaboration, which dates back to our studies at the Ensa Lyon, continues to this day, alongside our practice in the agency. Competitions and other calls for projects are moments to develop our thinking, as well as our architectural practice.

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?

Our latest projects, research and reflections have given rise to a singular, rhizomatic approach that explores the interactions between architecture and the environment that supports it. Observing, representing, mapping, almost frantically, and thus understanding what makes it so special to us. Our shared interest in simplicity, inventiveness, illustration and the imaginary prompt us to give equal thought to different project scales. We see them as an opportunity to put our ideas to the test and question the way we perceive the world around us.

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

Aware of today's social and environmental challenges, we see architecture as an opportunity to inhabit the world with intelligence and elegance. An opportunity to integrate questions of use, time, site and materials into every project. Not forgetting, beyond these real and concrete skills, that an interest in imaginary worlds and architectural stories can open up a whole new world of possibilities.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

Architecture competitions are like playgrounds where you must allow yourself to drift without a compass or a stopwatch. They provide opportunities to explore unknown paths, igniting our imaginations and thoughts. It's a chance to experiment with new scales, both in terms of design and the various ways in which it can be represented.

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

More than an architectural competition, we see this as a real moment of creativity, sharing and discussion. Collaborative work is a priority to enrich our individual and collective reflections. This process enables us to compare points of view, share ideas and nurture collective creativity. As well as being a time-consuming and rigorous process, it’s above all an opportunity for exchange and open-mindedness.