The Architect's Chair #3 Honorable mention winners - Oleksii Zolochevskyi, Nataliia Zolochevska and Kateryna Belinska

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the Honorable mention winners of our "The Architect's Chair #3" competition – Oleksii Zolochevskyi, Nataliia Zolochevska and Kateryna Belinska from United States!

Oleksii Zolochevskyi, Nataliia Zolochevska and Kateryna Belinska

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.

For the past 2.5 years, I have been working at ACREA, an architectural firm based in Slovakia, operating both locally and internationally. The team consists of approximately 10–12 professionals, covering a broad spectrum of architectural and design expertise. ACREA is also an active core member of the BIM Association Slovakia and is fully committed to the use and promotion of BIM technologies, with all our projects executed in ArchiCAD. My role at ACREA includes both creative and technical tasks — from architectural design and visualizations to developing detailed construction documentation. I’ve recently focused more on improving my technical skills, working directly on architectural drawings for projects under construction. Additionally, I’m involved in maintaining and upgrading a digital twin of the Aupark Shopping Center in Bratislava, helping clients with real-time data and facility management.

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 experience covers a diverse set of architectural projects, and what’s shaped my development most is the transition from conceptual design to technically detailed execution. I started with the Roatan Villas — luxurious private homes in the Caribbean, where I focused on architectural design and visual storytelling. After that, I contributed to the design of nursing homes, worked on renders and drawings for the Thermal Park in Piešťany, a large-scale public wellness project that required integration of architecture and landscape. I also developed the concept for the Roatan Tower, a high-rise residential building, which was my first experience working with vertical design. Currently, I’m focused on the implementation phase of Forum Business Center 2, where I’m responsible for producing complete technical architectural documentation for both the building and surroundings. In parallel, another important aspect of my job — the digital twin modeling for Aupark Shopping Center in Bratislava, keeping the BIM model up to date and helping the client solve operational tasks quickly. For example, we recently helped the client calculate the total surface area of rooftop steel structures to determine paint quantities. What would have taken days manually, I was able to deliver in few hours using the digital twin. Overall, our work blends creativity with technology, and we’re always exploring how tools like BIM and even AI can support, not replace (!) the architectural process. I constantly seek ways to stay aligned with a fast-evolving industry.

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

As a young architect, architecture for me is the definition of “live and learn” — a continuous process of growth through each project, challenge and idea. Over time, that learning naturally blends into “live and create,” where experience fuels creativity, and creativity drives meaningful design. Slovakia and Ukraine, as Eastern European countries, face many architectural challenges influenced by politics, economy, culture, and, most importantly, the people who live here. As architects, we strive to improve our surroundings in every possible way, even when working with limited budgets. I believe architects should be individuals with strong moral values, a broad knowledge base, and the ability to inspire others to create meaningful spaces. Our role goes far beyond design — we actually carry the responsibility to shape environments that reflect and support the needs of society. I truly hope we continue to play a significant and responsible role in that process.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

Architecture competitions are a great way to step outside of the everyday “architectural bubble.” They allow me to evaluate my skills, explore new ideas, and stay current with trends in the field. It’s easy to get caught up in routine work, so I see competitions as an opportunity to challenge myself creatively and refresh my mindset. They push me to think differently, experiment, and reconnect with the core of why I chose architecture in the first place.

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

There will always be excuses: work, studies, or other priorities, that make it seem like there’s no time for competitions. But the truth is, participating is an incredibly valuable experience that’s worth setting time aside for, even if it’s just 20 minutes a day. Competitions give you a chance to test your creative skills, take initiative, and contribute your ideas to the field. They push you outside your comfort zone and often remind you why you fell in love with architecture in the first place. If you're unsure, just start! You don’t have to win to benefit from the process :)