The Architect’s Stair #2 competition 1st Prize and Student Award winners - University of Auckland

We’d like to take this opportunity to introduce you to the first and Student prize winners of our The Architect’s Stair #2 Competition – Seulmir Yu, Geonhee Park and Donghyeon Lee from Australia!

Seulmir Yu, Geonhee Park and Donghyeon Lee 

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.

Our team consists of three members  Seulmir Yu, Geonhee Park, and Donghyeon Lee.
 We share academic backgrounds in architecture in New Zealand and Australia.

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?

As emerging designers, we have each explored a range of academic and conceptual projects, from small installations to medium-scale public and residential designs.
 Our focus often lies in human interaction, adaptability, and spatial experience.

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

We believe architecture should go beyond providing function. It should evoke emotion, curiosity, and connection. Architecture should have an aspect of playfulness, encouraging exploration and interaction between people. To us, the role of an architect is to interpret the rhythms and values of contemporary life, and to create spaces that help people see the ordinary in new and thoughtful ways.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

We see competitions as opportunities to challenge ourselves and test new ideas.
 They allow us to think freely, explore possibilities, and learn through the process of design. Participating helps us reflect on what architecture can be, and how we, as young designers, can contribute to the ongoing conversation.

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

Architecture competitions offer valuable space for experimentation and growth.
 They push you to think critically, communicate ideas clearly, and learn from both your process and others. For us, the Architect’s Staircase Competition was a chance to question conventions and explore architecture as an act of play, a reminder that even small projects can open big conversations.