Architecture competition Silent Meditation Forest Cabins 2nd and Student prize winner - University Of Oulu

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the winner of the 2nd and Student prize of our “Silent Meditation Forest Cabins” competition - Marko Simsiö from Finland!

Marko Simsiö from Finland

I am an architecture student in the University of Oulu in North Finland, and at the moment I am doing my final thesis and my plan is to graduate in May 2019. For the last few years I have been living and working in the capital of Finland, Helsinki. In 2017, I was working in OOPEAA (Office For Peripheral Architecture) and in 2018 for Lahdelma & Mahlamäki Architects. Just recently I have also started my own practice.

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?

I have been mostly doing design on housing and architectural competitions. In the future I am interested to work especially on smaller scale projects. I also wish to work with the themes of sustainability and humanitarian architecture.

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

I feel that the architect still has an influential role in society, but the role is changing. Today an architect needs to be able to answer the questions and needs of important themes such as climate change and immigration.

Why do you participate in architecture vision competitions?

I feel that architectural vision competitions are important in improving your creativity, and also a good way to improve your skills in using different software and making visual presentations. In general, it is a good way to present your new ideas about the topical issues on architecture to a broader public.

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

It might take some time for you to do the competition entry, but that investment is small compared to the benefits that you will gain. And if you are a creative person, you will enjoy the process of making the competition entry anyway.