Architecture Competition Sansusī Forest Food Court Honorable mention winner – Universidad Iberoamericana

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to one of our Honorable mention winner for our "Sansusī Forest Food Court" competition – Diego Sierra from Mexico!

Diego Sierra from Mexico

I'm a Mexican architecture student, currently in my tenth semester. I've taken part in several architecture competitions to gain experience and knowledge, and luckily, I've won a few of them. I've worked on some small-scale personal freelance projects allong with my colleagues. I also work as a freelancer creating renders and images for some architectural firms.

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?

When it comes to architecture competitions or freelance projects, I am mainly focused on small to medium scale projects, because that way I can take the design to a higher level of detail; I like taking into consideration the resolution of both constructive and functional aspects.

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

In my view, architecture should embody an interdisciplinary approach, with the primary objective of effectively addressing specific problems. Throughout this process, it is essential to carefully consider elements such as the site itself, including its local materials, traditions, history, and socioeconomic conditions, among other factors. With that being said, the role of an architect should revolve around delving into these diverse systems when undertaking a project, in order to propose a well-informed and comprehensive solution. It should not serve as a mere excuse for creating architecture solely for the sake of spectacle, without addressing the genuine needs of existing social projects. Expanding on this point, I firmly believe that architects bear the responsibility of immersing themselves in the atmosphere of the site, particularly in understanding the inhabitants or users of the projects. This allows for the design of spaces that best cater to their needs, prioritizing their requirements over personal aesthetic indulgences.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

I like to participate in architecture competitions for several reasons. The main reason is to gain experience. I have noticed that with each competition I enter, regardless of winning or losing, my knowledge and problem-solving abilities grow significantly. Looking back at the first competitions I participated in, I can clearly see how much I have improved, both in terms of representation styles and quality, as well as in my approach to new projects. I have learned from my previous mistakes and continue to learn and evolve.

The second reason is that competitions provide an opportunity for me to unleash my imagination without the constraints typically associated with regular projects. This allows me to design different spaces and create unique atmospheres, simply enjoying the process.

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

I think that the struggle to decide whether to enter an architecture competition or not, comes from the fear of not winning, that’s why my advice for people who think that way, is that your main objective should not be winning, because it’s a fact that you will lose various competitions before winning one. Instead, you should focus on all the positive things that each competition will give you, such as all the experience and knowledge, and a huge personal and professional growth.