The Architect’s Stair #2 competition Honorable mention winners - Hoyong Sim and Hoon Jung

We’d like to take this opportunity to introduce the Honorable Mention winners of The Architect’s Stair #2 competition — Hoyong Sim and Hoon Jung from South Korea!

Hoyong Sim and Hoon Jung

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.

We both studied architecture in South Korea and are now practicing architects with six years of professional experience. Sim Hoyong works at an atelier-style architecture office, focusing on conceptual and design-driven projects, while Junghoon works at a firm specializing in detailed and technical design execution. Although our professional paths differ, we share the belief that architecture must consider nature, people, history, and culture as inseparable layers of design. Our academic and professional backgrounds have shaped a perspective that seeks to explore architecture as a relationship between society and nature, rather than as a mere act of form-making.

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?

Each of us works in different offices, engaging with different types of projects and design directions. Yet, what connects us is a shared curiosity about architecture — how it evolves between the past and the future. We do not define what architecture should be. For us, architecture exists on every scale, from designing a small bench in a park to shaping an entire city. We aim to stay engaged with all spaces that shape the way we live.

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

To me, architecture is "everyday life" itself. Practicing architecture brings joy, challenges, and sorrow, but all these emotions naturally become part of my day. That's why I believe architecture isn't just a profession; it's the "language of the day" that shapes my life. In today's Korean society, architects must fulfill a wide range of roles. They must continuously train themselves, encompassing not only design but also administration, detailed design, and taxation. To that end, I believe architects are individuals who simultaneously solve real-world problems and envision the future of society.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

We participate in architecture competitions to reflect on our beliefs about architecture and explore the direction of our future practice. At the same time, we seek to engage with the ideas of other participants—to compare, challenge, and expand our own thinking through diverse perspectives. Above all, we see competitions as an opportunity to express our vision through the language of architecture and share it with the world.

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

I believe we need to get started. I hope we can grow through the pressures of competition, experience frustration from mistakes, and feel the positive energy and excitement from good results. The important thing isn't to divide ourselves into success and failure, but to feel ourselves growing stronger through the process.