Architecture Competition Romantic Cabin For Two Honorable mention – University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to one of our Honorable mention winner for our "Romantic Cabin For Two" competition – Plamena Draganova and Tsvetelina Gadzhelova from Bulgaria!

Honorable mention from Bulgaria

At the moment, we are both sixth year students at the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy in Sofia, Bulgaria. We have known each other since the first year in university. Since then, we have worked on a few projects together and we found that we complement each other in our work.

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 are interested in various topics and scales. We tend to not focus on any particular scale or typology, but to see design as a whole that intertwines with everyday activities.

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

Architecture is an exchange, а give and take between buildings and their surroundings. We believe that everyday objects and events around us influence the way we perceive and interact with space. After all, architecture is more than just a shelter, it has a bigger role to stimulate a positive affiliation between the space and the user. Architects design not only physical spaces, but also habits, routines, sensations, and emotions in the people who inhabit them. We have the responsibility and the power to create, adapting to needs and ensuring well-being in a changing world that demands new challenges every day.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

Participating in competitions is a great learning opportunity. Different tasks can develop creativity, skills, and knowledge. Often, there are aspects of the architecture tasks that are unfamiliar to us, which gives us the opportunity to learn something new. It’s also a great way to learn some soft skills, such as time management, teamwork, creative thinking, conflict resolution, and others. Competitions motivate us to strive to become better at what we do, competing with architects from all over the world.

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

It's very important to enjoy the design process, regardless the results of the competition. If you do it only for the benefits, it gives you only quick joy. Also, when you love what you do, the results you achieve are much better and more satisfying. Participating in competitions can only benefit you by gaining new experience.