Architecture Competition Rammed Earth Pavilion 2nd prize winners – Alessandra Esposito and Oliver Giebels

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the 2nd prize winners of our "Rammed Earth Pavilion" competition – Alessandra Esposito and Oliver Giebels from Germany!

Alessandra Esposito and Oliver Giebels from Germany

Alessandra Esposito

2013-2017 Bachelor of Arts at the Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences 
2017-2021 Master of Science at the RWTH Aachen University 
2016-2021 Employee in the office planinghaus architekten BDA, Darmstadt, Germany 
2021-2022 Teaching and research assistant for architect and assistant professor Wayne Switzer in the Department of Urban Planning and Architecture at the German University of Technology in Oman
2022-... Assistant Designer at the architectural office Studio ACTE, Rotterdam, Netherlands

Oliver Giebels

2007-2010 Training as a draftsman
2010-2013 Bachelor of Arts / FH Aachen, Aachen Germany
2014-2017 Master of Arts / msa – muenster school of architecture, Münster Germany
2017-2023 Employed project architect, Münster Germany
2022- Member of the AKNW
2022- Founder and board member of the non-profit association socialarchitecture e.V.
2023 Design build school project in Mae Sot, Thailand

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?

Wake up school | Nakivale, Uganda (realization 2021-2023) The project we have worked on together so far is the Wake up school in Uganda. We were involved in the planning, financing and realization of a school building for 600 children in the Nakivale refugee settlement. During implementation, it was important to involve the local population and to apply or use locally available, natural materials and building techniques known on site. It was important for us to avoid the use of cement. This was only used as a binding agent for the rock foundations. The walls are made of unfired sun-dried adobe bricks and the water-repellent finishing coat is a plaster mixture of sieved earth and cooked cornstarch.

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

The role of the architect is constantly evolving with the times and with society. Nowadays there are challenges that did not exist back then, for example, and vice versa. What concerns us most at the moment is sustainability and climate change. The architect has to move with the times and the challenge is to try to combine old traditions with new technologies.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

For us the participation in an architecture competition is a unique opportunity where you can follow your passions, work creatively and explore on your own responsibility.

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

Competitions are the best way to deal with unusual topics. Even if you work in an office, you need a certain kick to produce something of your own. Stay trained while designing and if you have the time - just give it a try and enjoy it!