Re:Form - New Life for Old Spaces competition Honorable mention winners - Nataliia Murashova and Mariia Knutova

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the Honorable mention winners of our Re:Form - New Life for Old Spaces competition – Nataliia Murashova and Mariia Knutova from Belgium!

Nataliia Murashova and Mariia Knutova

Please tell us about your company (when it was founded, where it is based, how many employees, etc) Alternatively, if you do not have a company, please give us some insights on your own professional/academia background.

NEWEST is a design and research practice founded in 2023 by architect/ urban designer Natalia Murashova and architec/ landscape architect Maria Knutova. Our core team brings together expertise in architecture, landscape architecture, and urban design, supported by a network of collaborators. This flexible structure allows us to adapt to projects of different scales — from intimate small architectural forms and temporary installations to complex park systems and territorial frameworks. Our team values projects where landscape and architecture act as mediators- creating spaces that are both ecologically resilient and socially inclusive. We design public spaces and develop solutions based on a deep understanding of the territory, its historical context and the needs of users.

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 specialize in: Landscape and urban design- resilient public spaces, parks, waterfronts, and ecological corridors. Architectural interventions - adaptive reuse, pavilions, canopies, and navigation systems. Research-driven design- integrating ecological mapping, cultural identity, and historical context into contemporary projects.

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

For us, architecture is not only the design of buildings or spaces, but the creation of relationships between people, land, and culture. It is a medium through which society expresses values, memories, and aspirations. Architecture defines how communities interact with their environment- shaping everyday life, supporting resilience, and giving form to identity. The role of an architect today extends beyond aesthetic authorship. Architects serve as mediators, researchers, and facilitators, connecting different disciplines and stakeholders to create innovative solutions. In today's challenging world, the architect's responsibility is to create an inclusive, sustainable and meaningful environment that meets both environmental challenges and social needs.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

For us, architecture competitions are an opportunity to test ideas, explore new contexts, and push the boundaries of our practice. They provide an opportunity to be part of a wider architectural community, exchange ideas, and learn from different approaches. Through these interactions, we not only contribute to the profession but also grow as individuals. Competitions allow us to develop our skills and expand our expertise by working on projects of various scales and types beyond our everyday commissions. Even if a project is not realized, the experience strengthens our methodologies and generates knowledge that we can apply in future projects. Finally, architecture competitions provide a space for collaboration, research, and creativity, which makes them an integral part of our professional growth.

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

Our advice is to see competitions not only as a chance to win, but as a framework for exploration. A competition gives you permission to think beyond constraints, to test ideas that might not yet have a client, and to build confidence in your own design voice. We believe that the true value lies in the process: each competition is an exercise in research, storytelling, and problem-solving, which sharpens your skills and expands your architectural vocabulary. Even if the project is never built, the knowledge you gain will return in future work.