Architecture Competition Romantic Cabin For Two Client Favourite prize winners – Andrea Smaniotto and Barbara Sandri

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the Client Favourite prize winners of our "Romantic Cabin For Two" competition – Andrea Smaniotto and Barbara Sandri from Italy!

Barbara Sandri and Andrea Smaniotto from Italy

Andrea Smaniotto and Barbara Sandri graduated in architecture in 1999 from the University Institute of Architecture in Venice. Andrea completed his professional training in Portugal where he collaborated with architect Alvaro Siza, while Barbara collaborated with architects Antonio Portugal, Manuel M. Reis, Paula Santos and Adalberto Dias. In 2001, they founded their architectural firm SBSA. The studio is located in Rosà, a small town near Vicenza.

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?

Our approach in dealing with design investigates the peculiarities and the challenges inherent in every assignment, regardless of size or budget. Only after a thorough research of the essential and deep characters of a place do we understand the peculiarity of every single physical reality, in order to develop a concrete project and strategy that can provide accurate and effective answers.

Two projects are particularly significant for us: RENOVATION OF A BARN (Canale d’Agordo, Italy) and 2 HOUSES IN 1 (Montreux, Switzertland).

The project RENOVATION OF A BARN deals with the theme of the recovery of ancient rural artefacts characteristic of the alpine territory of the dolomites. This project has allowed us to investigate and recover antique construction techniques. The building 2 HOUSES IN 1 is a house with 2 apartments that fits into a small plot in a highly inclined slope overlooking the Geneva Lake. This project served as research about typological issues and contemporary housing.

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

Architecture for us is, above all, a passion. We pursue the essentiality of forms and compositional accuracy, where every gesture is reduced to a minimum. We try to solve the problems in the simplest way possible to give real character to our architecture. This is what fascinates us more and more.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

Architecture competitions are a beautiful training exercise for professional practice. This allows us to deal with different topics, programs, and contexts. The pragmatic answer in an architecture competition can become more peremptory and archetypal.

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

Architecture competitions are useful to participate in because they allow you to measure your work against the work of other colleagues. It's useful because it is an opportunity to develop new ideas and extend the horizon of design investigation.

 

Open architecture competitions

  • Closest Deadline first
  • Project competitions first
    Selected winning projects have the potential to be constructed
  • Ideas competitions first
    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
ideas COMPETITION
The Architect's Chair
Edition #1

Take a seat and make a statement!

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Jun 06
Sep 06
Nov 01
ideas COMPETITION
Beyond Isolation: Senior Housing
Senior living. Edition#2

Reimagine senior living spaces

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Jun 08
Sep 08
Nov 02
project COMPETITION
The Legendary Highway 14 Tower

Design an iconic tower for De Smet, South Dakota, USA

Prize: MONETARY AWARD + CONSTRUCTION
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Jun 09
Sep 12
Nov 03
project COMPETITION
Iceland Beer Spa

Design a beer spa in Iceland's captivating landscape

Prize: MONETARY AWARD + CONSTRUCTION
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Jun 14
Sep 14
Nov 08

Reccuring architecture competitions

ideas COMPETITION
MICROHOME
Small living, huge impact! Edition #6

Design a new concept of small-scale home

Prize: MONETARY AWARD + PUBLICATION IN MAGAZINE
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Feb 16
Apr 18
Jun 16
ideas COMPETITION
Silent contest
For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
The Last Nuclear Bomb Memorial
Edition #3

Design a memorial that speaks to the cause of ending all nuclear weapons programs

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Jun 26
Sep 03
Nov 05
ideas COMPETITION
Silent contest
For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Museum of Emotions
Edition #3

Use architecture to create different emotional states

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Mar 17
May 19
Jul 21
Run repeatedly
Los Angeles Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series #16

Design affordable housing solutions in Los Angeles

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Jun 07
Sep 07
Nov 01
Register now
Run repeatedly
Virtual Home
Edition #2

Shape the future of digital living environments

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
May 02
Jul 04
Sep 06
Register now
Run repeatedly
Pavilion Of Humanity: First Contact
Edition #2

How would you represent the best that humanity has to offer through architecture?

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Mar 27
May 25
Jul 24
Register now
Run repeatedly
Silent contest
For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Architectural Visualization Award
Edition #2

Present your best work and submit your favorite architectural visualization

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Mar 23
May 25
Jul 27
Register now

Creativity gym Short term competitions for you to exercise your creativity

T-SHIRT DRAWING COMPETITION
The Architect's T-shirt
Edition #19

Design THE architect's t-shirt!

Prize: 3,000 €
Eligibility: open to all

registration deadlines

Remind me
May 31
Jun 30
Jul 31
Register now
ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO COMPETITION
The Buildner's Architecture Portfolio Competition
Edition #2

Submit your online portfolio!

Prize: 5,000 €
Eligibility: open to all

registration deadlines

Remind me
Mar 31
Apr 30
May 31
Register now

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Competition results

Hong Kong 
Pixel Homes

Hong Kong Pixel Homes

Affordable Housing Series #2
MICROHOME

MICROHOME

Small living, huge impact! Edition #4

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