Peja Culture Pavilion competition 3rd Award winners - Sense

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the 3rd Prize winners of our "Peja Culture Pavilion" competition – Shpend Pashtriku, Sarah-Alexandra Agill and Kaltrina Pashtriku from United Kingdom!

Sarah-Alexandra Agill, Kaltrina Pashtriku and Shpend Pashtriku

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.

Sense is an Architectural Design and Consultancy practice based in London, founded in 2022. We work closely with partners within the built environment industry at the early stages of project development, to optimise, sharpen and accelerate the design process via advanced computational tools—helping teams navigate feasibility studies, strategy, and conceptualisation. Our goal is to advance the AEC industry’s continuous transition towards sustainable practices, by leveraging research-based, data-driven methodologies; balancing stakeholder needs and fostering a healthier, more resilient 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?

Sense has been primarily involved in international large-scale projects ranging from civic buildings to masterplans. While our most recent work has been centred around urban design, we have had a growing interest in smaller-scale projects that allow for more detailed design explorations. Across all project scales, our focus lies in applying a consistent research-based, data-driven approach, leveraging advanced computational tools for thorough analysis and decision making.

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

Our stance is that architecture is about analysis, optimization, and impact—rethinking spatial systems through a research-driven, data-informed approach. We challenge the idea of object-focused design, emphasizing systems thinking instead, to create resilient, adaptable, and high-performing environments. As strategic facilitators, architects bridge the gap between creative ambition and tangible outcomes, shaping spaces that evolve with societal and ecological change. We think architecture is a discipline of strategic foresight and a catalyst for transformation in a rapidly shifting world.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

We participate in architecture competitions because they provide opportunities to engage with unconventional briefs, unique sites, and speculative futures—conditions and scenarios that may be less frequently encountered in commercial practice. We also find that they serve as a critical space for discourse, allowing us to contribute to global conversations on the evolving role and practice of architectural design, which we find invaluable for our continued development.

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

Competitions can provide a good opportunity for exploration, but their value depends on what you hope to gain. If you're looking to engage with unconventional briefs, test ideas outside of commercial constraints, or sharpen your methodology of practice, competitions can be a good platform for that. They also often demand fast turnarounds, honing that skill of sharp decision-making and the ability to develop ideas quickly and with clarity. Additionally, they can also provide valuable exposure, allowing your work and approach to reach a wider audience, furthering engagement in architectural discourse and potentially connecting you with possible collaborators and partners.