Sansusi Sound Sculpture competition Honorable mention winners - Jiawei Sun, Wonjae Lee and Zhixin Tang

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the Honorable mention winners of our "Sansusi Sound Sculpture" competition – Jiawei Sun, Wonjae Lee and Zhixin Tang from United States!

Jiawei Sun, Wonjae Lee and Zhixin Tang

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.

We are a team of three 4th-year Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) students currently studying at Cornell University.

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?

As part of a larger team, we served as the lead designers for the Cornell NOMAS team in the 2023 competition, where our school secured 1st place. Our proposal centered on the creation of a residential district aimed at healing the fractured history of the site, with a focus on revitalizing the community by enhancing engagement and fostering connections.

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

Architecture is the art of shaping spaces that resonate with the human spirit while harmonizing with the environment. It is not just about creating buildings but crafting experiences that enrich lives and communities. The role of an architect in society is to be a visionary and a problem-solver, wearing multiple "masks"– to balance creativity, functionality, and social responsibility. Architects must be artists, engineers, and mediators, bringing together diverse perspectives to create spaces that inspire and endure.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

We participate in architecture competitions to deepen our passion for design and challenge ourselves to think beyond conventional boundaries. We chose to engage in this particular competition over the summer as an opportunity to explore our design thinking outside the academic environment. Although our academic semesters are filled with coursework and extracurricular commitments, and our summers are dedicated to internships, we made a deliberate decision to continue participating in the competition. This allowed us to further refine our design skills and continue our professional growth during the break.

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

When time and dedication allow, there is every reason to participate in a competition. Although it may increase the demands and stress, this challenge is also part of the fulfillment. The unique atmosphere of working alongside teammates in an architecture competition offers an experience that is difficult to replicate in an academic setting. Through this process, each member gains essential skills in effective communication and collaboration, crucial for successful teamwork.