Architecture Competition Timber Skyscraper Challenge Honorable mention winners - Christian Keuschnig, Daniel Lučić, Ingo Candussi and Timo Berkmann

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to one of our Honorable mention winners for our "Timber Skyscraper Challenge" competition – Christian Keuschnig, 
Daniel Lučić, 
Ingo Candussi and Timo Berkmann from Austria!

Honorable mention winners from Austria

We are four friends from the Technical University of Graz, who joined forces for the competition. Our team is composed with the professional expertise of architects, engineers and graphic designers. Interests like timber construction, circular economy and sustainability brought us together and motivated us to work together on future oriented building concepts. The team is composed of the following experts:

Christian Keuschnig BSc.
Master joiner (2010-2017)
Bachelor of Architecture (2018-2022)
Master of Architecture (2022- today)
Research Assistant at Institute of Architecture and Technology - Department of Architecture and Timber Construction at Technical University Graz (2021-today)

Daniel Lučić BSc.
Drafter - Bergwerk Architekten (2017-2021)
Bachelor of Architecture (2018-2022)
Master of Architecture (2022- today)
Designer - Nussmüller Architekten (2022-today)

Ingo Candussi BSc.
Bachelor of Architecture (2018-2022)
Master of Architecture (2022- today)
Study Assistant at Institute of Urbanism at the Technical University Graz (2022-today)

Timo Berkmann BSc.
Master carpenter (2012-2017)
Bachelor Civil and Environmental Engineering (2017-2021)
Founder of „Zeichenbüro Berkmann“ (2020 – today)
Master of Civil Engineering structural Engineering (2021-today)
Research Assistant at Institute of Timber Engineering and Wood Technology at Technical University Graz (2022-today)

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?

A part of us already took part in the ProHolz competition "woodencity" in a similar constellation. This was also, where the idea of the current research project “Modular-timberskyscraper” (Modulares Holzhochhaus MOHOHO) was born.

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

Designing in Architecture allows us to think of activities, spaces, and society in new or advanced ways. In these environments especially the human scale is of huge importance despite the high density. The current task of architects is to make efficient and sufficient design proposals.  They must be conscious about circular economy.  All this is only achievable with interdisciplinary work and a holistic way of thinking.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

Competitions are a good way to improve working on complex tasks in a short period of time. We chose this competition because we saw it as an opportunity to experiment with “bigness” and arrange an enormous density to a human scale.

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

Always keep an eye on which competitions are announced. If there is one that matches your own strengths and interests, simply take part. Put together a good interdisciplinary team to get a variety of expertise. Try to think beyond the task, think about current problems and find a holistic solution. In any case, it is a win-win situation for everyone.