Architecture competition Silent Meditation Forest Cabins 1st prize winners - David Florez and Stefani Zlateva

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the winners of the 1st prize of our “Silent Meditation Forest Cabins” competition - David Florez and Stefani Zlateva from Austria!

David Florez and Stefani Zlateva from Austria

Studio Blanc is a collective founded by David Florez and Stefani Zlateva in 2018. David and Stefani met during their studies in the International Master’s of Architecture at KU Leuven, Campus Ghent, Belgium.

David had previously studied Architecture at VGTU in Vilnius, Lithuania and had worked for Berlin-based architect Zvi Hecker. Currently, he is employed at Vienna-based studio Heri&Salli.

Stefani had previously studied at UACEG in Sofia, Bulgaria. In 2017 she worked in Barcelona-based practice Patricia Tamayo architects, and she is currently employed by RT consult in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

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?

Our focus is on small-scale projects in which we are able to experiment with topics such as volumetrics, tectonics, atmosphere and alternative space configurations. We are currently working on small-scale architecture competitions.

Both of us worked with the topic of housing in our Master’s dissertations where David researched the topic of Human territory. The aim of the research was to use the concept of territory to understand the built environment as a foundation to create alternative solutions for mass housing.

Stefani focused on adaptability as a tool for sustainability. The essence of her project was to propose a system of adaptable interventions that are susceptible to modifications in the uncertain future, but still keep their specific architectural character.

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

Architecture for us is an experience. It is the relation between the human being and the built environment.

Architects are the creators of the human habitat, the ones behind the curtain. Their role is of utmost importance, because of the powerful effect the built environment has on the human subconscious experience and health.

Why do you participate in architecture vision competitions?

Architecture vision competitions challenge you to rethink specific topics. They provide the freedom for testing alternative ideas.

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

Just go for it! It is a new experience. It helps you grow as a professional because it requires discipline and commitment.