Architecture Competition Archhive Books' Portable Reading Rooms Honorable mention - Nick Safley, Ben Cyvas and Vince Noce

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the winners of the Honorable mention of our “Archhive Books' Portable Reading Rooms” competition - Nick Safley, Ben Cyvas and Vince Noce from United States.

Nick Safley from United State

Nick Safley is an Assistant Professor at Kent State University. He has worked for the LADG, EADO, RVTR, Utile, and NADAAA. He received a BArch from the University of Oklahoma and a MArch from The University of Michigan, where he was awarded the AIA Henry Adams Medal.

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 company/ individuals have been involved?

I run an academic practice focused on small architectural design projects through detailed material exploration. Throughout my career, I have maintained an interest in fabrication and have been involved in various large scale installation projects in Ann Arbor, Oklahoma, Boston, Jordan, Germany, and Italy. With NADAAA I am working on the new, nearly half-million square foot, Site 4 MIT dorm building, set to be finished next year.

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

This is hard to answer and is like asking "what does being alive mean to you?" For me the best architecture and architects serve a role in society by enlivening the human and non-human world with empathy. So I guess architecture is a means to empathizing with the world around me.

Why do you participate in architecture vision competitions?

Architecture competitions invite involvement in a range of projects that would not naturally occur when working on commissions. Most often they invite you to engage in something new and can serve to generate growth in your own work and thinking. I like to participate in competitions so I can feel engaged in the work of other designers around the globe after spending time, focus, and energy on a design. Plus you are your own boss.

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

Just do it … and make a schedule.