The Architect’s Chair / Edition #4 competition 3rd Prize winner - Andrii Kovalskyi

 We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce the 3rd Prize winner of The Architect’s Chair / Edition #4 competition – Andrii Kovalskyi from Ukraine!

Andrii Kovalskyi

Please tell us about your company (when it was founded, where it is based, how many employees, etc) Alternatively, if you do not have a company, please give us some insights on your own professional/academia background.

I have been working in the furniture industry for around seven years. Before that, I studied architecture and interior design, which naturally led me toward an interest in furniture as a fundamental part of spatial experience. While working on interiors, I often collaborated with local manufacturers, which helped transform this curiosity into a focused professional path in furniture and product design.

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?

I currently collaborate with Roche Bobois and several emerging brands from Eastern Europe. I am also in the process of establishing my own studio, specializing in the design of furniture, lighting, and decorative objects. My work spans from small-scale product concepts to more experimental spatial pieces, always grounded in form, ergonomics, and emotional expression.

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

 With an academic background in urban studies, I learned how the environments we shape influence the social dimension of life: from personal self-awareness to the way individuals interact within a shared socio-architectural space. Architecture, to me, is a framework that guides behavior and supports meaningful human connections. The role of the architect is to create environments that strengthen society by shaping thoughtful, human-centered spaces.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

 Competitions allow me to connect with like-minded designers, discover diverse perspectives, and challenge myself creatively beyond commercial constraints.

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

It is always worth trying. Competitions provide valuable experience, broaden thinking, and help develop a personal voice — and one can always step back if the format doesn’t feel right.