The Architect’s Chair / Edition #4 competition Honorable mention winner - Carlos Roberto Marin Soto

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce the Honorable Mention winner of The Architect’s Chair / Edition #4 competition – Carlos Roberto Marin Soto from Panama!

Carlos Roberto Marin Soto

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.

Hello, I’m Carlos Marín, an architectural designer and final-year student at the University of Panama. I work as a junior designer at Casis Mock Architects and have participated in international competitions and national workshops. I am passionate about design at all scales, always seeking to understand how things work.

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?

Throughout my career, I have undertaken numerous projects of varying scales, including furniture, interior design, residential housing, and schools. Professionally, I particularly highlight my involvement in the design of the new Balboa Academy campus in Panama, developed at the firm where I work. I was engaged in multiple aspects of the project, focusing mainly on interior design, detailing spaces, and creating furniture.

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

For me, the architect shapes the lives of people and their environment. Architecture—from a chair to a museum—exists to be inhabited and used by humans, all with equal importance.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

I enter architecture competitions to think out loud through form, challenging the norm and creating what doesn’t yet exist — all for the thrill of challenging myself.

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

Participating in competitions has taught me that you already win once you register. It’s a way to step out of your comfort zone, challenge yourself, and show who you are.