The Home of Shadows #2 competition 1st prize winner - Haneul Kim, Sayun Park and Eunbi Lee

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the 1st prize winners of our "The Home of Shadows #2" competition – Haneul Kim, Sayun Park and Eunbi Lee from South Korea!

Haneul Kim, Sayun Park and Eunbi Lee from South Korea

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 group is made up of colleagues who studied architecture together at Kookmin University in Korea. We are each pursuing our own work and studies. Additionally, we are a group of people interested in discussing and exploring various topics in architecture, and we have come together to participate in this competition.

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?

Since this is not a partnership, the explanation will be limited to this contest. We thought about how to wisely utilize the limitless possibilities and limitations of natural light. To maximize the advantages and overcome the disadvantages, we tried to approach the architectural essence of housing and nature.

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

For us, architecture is an indispensable element intricately linked to human life. Humans exist in some form of space 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and these spaces profoundly influence our daily lives and experiences. Therefore, architecture is not merely about constructing buildings; it enriches human life, diversifies individual experiences, and beautifies the appearance of society. In our society, architects play a crucial role as the creators and implementers of these spaces. Architects do more than just construct functional buildings; they enhance people's quality of life and create spaces that reflect cultural, historical, and environmental values. Through creative and innovative design, architects make cities and communities more vibrant and enriching, providing beauty and comfort to society members. Thus, we believe the role of architects is to improve human life and contribute to the overall happiness and satisfaction of society.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

There are several reasons why participating in architecture competitions is valuable. First, these competitions provide a great opportunity to showcase creativity and test innovative ideas. They are appealing because they allow for experimenting with new design approaches and advancing innovative architectural techniques. Additionally, competitions serve as platforms to actualize projects and receive evaluations from experts. This feedback is essential for understanding how one's work would function in real-world environments and for making improvements. Lastly, architecture competitions offer networking opportunities. They connect participants with various professionals such as architects, designers, and interior decorators, providing opportunities for collaboration and enhancing professional expertise. For these reasons, architecture competitions are highly regarded and beneficial for architects and professionals in the field, which is why there is significant interest in participating in many competitions.

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

We would like to offer advice to those who are hesitant about participating in architecture competitions. First, clearly define your main objectives and expectations for participating. It's important to consider whether the competition will help with your professional growth and portfolio enhancement, or if it will simply serve as an experimental platform to test experiences and new ideas. Additionally, participating in competitions is also a process of learning and growth. While there is a possibility of failure, that experience can provide new knowledge and insights. Remember that it's a valuable opportunity to assess and improve your skills. We hope these pieces of advice help you in making a decision about participating in architecture competitions.