The Architect's Chair #3 Honorable mention winners - Nina Pawliszyn and Luca Fontana

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the Honorable mention winners of our "The Architect's Chair #3" competition – Nina Pawliszyn and Luca Fontana from Italy!

Nina Pawliszyn and Luca Fontana

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.

Luca Fontana is an Italian architect from Milan, currently based in London. He earned his Master's in Architecture from TU Delft in the Netherlands, focusing on public buildings that enhance community interaction. Luca has worked at Studio Fuksas and Foster + Partners and is now an Architect/Designer at BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group) in London. His experience spans private residential, masterplanning, and hospitality projects, with a strong emphasis on integrating public assets.

Nina Pawliszyn is a Polish architectural engineer specialising in BIM. She earned her degree from Nottingham Trent University before joining Foster + Partners in London. Her experience spans a range of typologies, from residential towers and exhibition centres to multi-use masterplans. Each project has deepened her passion for architectural design, which she is excited to develop further.

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?

Architecture, to us, is the synthesis of forces—natural, structural, and social—into built form. It’s about creating spaces that don’t just function but respond, adapt, and enhance the way we live. An architect's role in society is to shape the environment with intelligence and intention. We don’t just design buildings; we influence how people interact with space, balancing creativity with responsibility to create something lasting and meaningful.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

We participate in architecture competitions because it's fun. We enjoy challenging ourselves by exploring typologies that we wouldn't usually have the opportunity to design.

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

Don't think, if you have the time, do it. Competitions are a great way to challenge yourself, explore ideas freely, and grow as a designer.