Architecture competition Pavilosta Poet Huts 1st and Student prize winner - Accademia di Architettura Mendrisio

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the winner of the 1st and Student prize of our “Pavilosta Poet Huts ” competition - Daniel Brigginshaw from United Kingdom!

Daniel Brigginshaw from United Kingdom

Despite being British, I completed all of my architectural studies in Switzerland. I previously studied at the Haute École d’Ingénierie et d’Architecture de Fribourg, before moving to Ticino where I am due to finish my Master’s in June 2019 at the Academy of Architecture in Mendrisio, under professors Manuel & Francisco Aires Mateus.

Having had the opportunity throughout my studies to work on a variety of scales, from an urban masterplan to an isolated cabin, it is my belief that all architecture must be based on one strong and clear idea. Architecture affects all scales from its urban (or rural) insertion right down to the choice of materials and detail design. Through a projects principal idea or ‘fil rouge’ it must interact coherently with all of these different scales, whether the project be private or public, large or small.

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

Fundamentally architecture is the answer to a question or problem. As society’s problems evolve, so should the answers.

Why do you participate in architecture vision competitions?

Practice. It is also an excellent opportunity to re-evaluate yourself and compare your ideas with architects from all over the world with a much larger variety of design strategies and ideas than you could ever find in a single university or work environment.

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

Why not ? Worst case scenario, you go away with a new project for your portfolio and a better understanding of what architectural juries are looking for.