Portugal Vez River SPA competition Honorable mention winners - Sandrino Jan Deiana and Francesco Crocchini

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the Honorable mention winners of our Portugal Vez River SPA competition – Sandrino Jan Deiana and Francesco Crocchini from Italy!

Sandrino Jan Deiana and Francesco Crocchini from Italy

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 do not share a common office but have been long-time friends, always combining our studies and professional careers with active participation in architecture competitions. We both studied between the University of Florence and the Politecnico di Milano, later sharing an experience in Denmark. Today, we are based respectively in Barcelona and Geneva.

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 have always been drawn to idea-based competitions, mostly at small and medium scale, which also reflect the kind of projects we engage with in our professional practices.

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

For us, architecture is not just work or daily effort, but a way to express a position, to influence, to create something good and beautiful. It is an exercise of discovery and responsibility.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

We see architecture competitions as the most democratic tool to ensure meritocracy in the profession, allowing quality to prevail over individual interests. They represent one of the best ways to guarantee higher standards in the built environment, which is why we continue to participate.

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