Architecture competition "SKYHIVE Skyscraper Challenge" Honorable mention - Gabriel Ciosu, Adrian Gustavo Moreno, Luis Miguel Arcas Murillo and Vladimir Slachtovsky

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the winners of one of our Honorable mentions for the “SKYHIVE Skyscraper Challenge” competition - Gabriel Ciosu, Adrian Gustavo Moreno, Luis Miguel Arcas Murillo and Vladimir Slachtovsky from Switzerland!

Gabriel Ciosu and Adrian Gustavo Moreno from Switzerland

Luis Miguel Arcas Murillo and Vladimir Slachtovsky from Switzerland

Gabriel Ciosu: I can describe myself as being a very motivated and dynamic architecture professional who seeks innovation, quality and performance. I studied architecture in Romania, where I first practiced independently. In 2016 I moved to Switzerland and started my collaboration with an architecture and design company, where I met my team colleagues Luis Miguel and Adrian. In 2018 I am looking to take on a new challenge and launch my company: Autumn Design. This will be based in Geneva and will focus on architecture, design and consulting. I strive to be an archipreneur: to combine my architecture expertise with innovation, opportunities seeking and entrepreneurship. Hopefully you will hear more from us in the coming years.

Luis Miguel Arcas Murillo: I’ve been working for more than 10 years in architecture-related projects as project manager, designer and building-site manager, from public to private commissions, industrial, civil or global events. Currently, living and working in Switzerland at Studioworks since 2015.

Adrian Gustavo Moreno: As a product designer I have always had a keen interest in all things creative. I started my own 3D rendering studio at age twenty-five and proceeded to work with various studios throughout the world. I spent the last six years working in an Interior Design studio in Milan, and was recently given the opportunity to personally design three architectural projects. I’ve also worked on various music and video editing projects, several involving 3D animation. I was born in Belgium, and raised in Bolivia, Morocco, Argentina and Uruguay. This particular childhood gave me a multi-faceted view of the world, and an open and flexible mindset when approaching new endeavors. This has come in very handy when working in Industrial Design, as my particular way of approaching projects and coming up with new ideas and solutions has proven to be quite helpful and unique.

Vladimir Slachtovsky: Education: 2014 PhD, Faculty of architecture, Slovak University of Technology, Bratislava, Slovakia - Sustainable renovation of prefabricated apartment blocks 2008: Ing.arch (M.arch),Faculty of architecture, Slovak University of Technology, Bratislava, Slovakia - Residential buildings 2006: Bachelor ,Faculty of architecture, Slovak University of Technology, Bratislava, Slovakia -architecture & urban planning.

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 company/ individuals have been involved?

Gabriel Ciosu: Architecture projects in congruence with nature have a special place in my heart. It is noble to respect the constraints imposed by nature. The true beauty of a project is to fit like a piece of the puzzle in the environment. I am also passionate about buildings which get to define their environment, which is what we aimed to reach via the tower project. Nevertheless, inspiration came still from natural elements: vertebrae, pedestrian circulation via arterial like pathways, vegetation to improve the appeal of the building.

Luis Miguel Arcas Murillo: Mainly ephemeral architecture for expositions and events, but also some public spaces like a small train station and a natural park.

Adrian Gustavo Moreno: I was handpicked by Alejandro Sarmiento to participate in Contenido Neto, a project in which we created new products from used PET bottles. I have worked as a team member with big 3D crews in FlamingCGI, have been in charge of managing a five person workforce as a project manager for Panorama01, and had the chance to design a yogurt label that has raised the brand’s sales in Buenos Aires.

Vladimir Slachtovsky: In my professional career I was focused mostly on residential buildings of small and middle scale, luxurious residences, interior design and renovations.

Work:

2017 - now Guillet Architecture SA, La Magne, Switzerland

2015-2016 Immoproject SA, Lausanne, Switzerland

2014-2015 Next Draw, Lausanne, Switzerland

2010-2011 Konrad Archizekten, Vienna, Austria

2009-2013 Slachtovsky AD, own society, Bratislava, Slovakia

2005-2009 Visioni atelier, Bratislava, Slovakia

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

Gabriel Ciosu: It was not easy to decide which career to pursue. I thought architecture was the perfect combination of complex problem solving, and artistic expression. After studying for 6 years and working for more than 4 years, I see now that architecture is much more than that. Architecture is about innovation, progress and constantly seeking improvements. A successful architect is a visionary who foresees the problems of tomorrow and starts solving them today. As we are headed to a climate of change in every field, for me the role of the architect is to supervise these changes and assure a smooth transition for the user.

Luis Miguel Arcas Murillo: For me, architecture is an expression of art mixed with functionality and utility, decomposed according human needs.

Adrian Gustavo Moreno: As an industrial designer I love to create functional spaces that allow for growth and change during time. Light always plays a big role not only for illumination but as a way to create volumes and transformation.

Vladimir Slachtovsky: For me personally architecture is a way of life, it's a mission to make the world around us better. After all it is a passion and desire to create and form space around us, to turn my ideas into something touchable. It's an art, a language that writes a history of human being. So for me, an architect is a person who creates the space we live in, he gives a guideline and trends to the society, finds a response for its technical, cultural and social demands and leaves a message for the future generations.

Why do you participate in architecture vision competitions?

Gabriel Ciosu: The exercise of thinking freely leads the way for innovation and progress. I often ask myself how would I tackle this and that problem. By participating in architecture vision competitions, I get to develop my answer together with my team, to submit it and to compare it to other teams’ vision. Every challenge teaches me something new.

Luis Miguel Arcas Murillo: It’s about the opportunity of working on projects that will be evaluated by very good professionals, giving you the chance to recognize your work and, eventually, being able to build it or and launch your career.

Adrian Gustavo Moreno: It is a great a way to work in group. Get to know other ways of working and have a group of people aim for the same goal.

Vladimir Slachtovsky: Why this kind of competition? It's a challenge to discover new horizons, to improve, and an opportunity to create with liberty.

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

Gabriel Ciosu:My advice would be simple: try to challenge yourself in order to see what are you capable of. Woody Allen famously said that 80% of life is showing up. I am a strong believer in doing the extra work – learn a new computer program, research a new technique, participate in a new competition. This is a way to sharpen your skills and to reach success, but you first need to show up.

Luis Miguel Arcas Murillo: Art and architecture is about hard work and continuity. The more projects you create, the better you become each time.

Adrian Gustavo Moreno: It is always beneficial. Even if you don’t get picked for sure you learned something. About your colleagues, about the software, about time management. It is a simple and friendly way to learn.

Vladimir Slachtovsky: For everyone who is passionate about architecture and design it is a benefit to participate for many reasons. You can create freely, invent the craziest ideas, with each project you can learn something new, it moves you forward and opens mind to many new things. And at least it is a good occasion to have a couple of beers every week with your colleagues and friends.