The Architect's Chair / Edition #1 Honorable mention winner - David Beker

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the Honorable mention winner of our The Architect's Chair / Edition #1 competition – David Beker from United States!

David Beker

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 running my own design fabrication and research studio for nearly 10 years. The projects range from conceptual furniture, to sculpture to installations. The studio’s work has been featured in a number of galleries and design shows.

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?

My work draws heavily, both in form and process, from my education and training in architecture, specifically an attention to proportion and details. I currently work by myself in Philadelphia, PA. Website: www.beker.com

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

Architecture is one of the few professions that, at its core, connects multiple different disciplines; art, engineering, history, planning, etc. And it operates on the scale from the hand-held to the size of an entire city. This places the architect in the position of working for both practical goals and higher, society-benefiting outcomes.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

Competitions benefit me in several ways, the most immediate being the exposure of my work to peers and new audiences. Personally, a competition creates a real deadline for me to organize a project into a thoughtful and complete form that is ready to share. This is especially important for personal projects that have no external deadlines.

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

Competitions are a good way of finishing a project, especially a personal or self-driven project. Much like studio deadlines for projects in school, a competition entry gives you the impetus to finalize the project and get it ready for a presentation. It is a real, ‘pencils down’ moment when the project can no longer be tinkered with.