The Home of Shadows #4 competition Honorable mention winner - Vera Nassir

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the Honorable mention winner of our The Home of Shadows #4 competition – Vera Nassir from Israel!

Vera Nassir

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.

I am an architecture student with an academic background in architectural design and research-based projects. My work focuses on the relationship between space, climate, materiality, and human experience, with a particular interest in natural light, shadow, passive environmental strategies, and architecture that responds to its cultural and climatic context.

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 includes academic design projects and early professional work in architecture, with a focus on residential, public, and urban-scale proposals. Across these projects, I have developed a strong interest in context-sensitive architecture, particularly in relation to climate, light, culture, materiality, and human experience. My work often explores natural light, shadow, passive environmental strategies, local materials, and spatial atmosphere, aiming to create spaces that are environmentally responsive, meaningful, and connected to their surroundings.

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

To me, architecture is the art of giving form to life. It is not only about creating buildings, but about shaping the conditions in which people live, remember, connect, and belong. I see architecture as a dialogue between the physical and the human - between climate and shelter, material and atmosphere, tradition and change, individual needs and collective life. Through this dialogue, architecture can transform a place into an experience, and a space into something that holds memory, identity, comfort, and meaning. In my Middle Eastern context, I see the architect as a listener and mediator between people, place and culture . Architecture has the power to shape how communities meet, belong, and feel represented. For me, the architect’s role is to create spaces that respect local identity and memory, while responding to contemporary needs in a sensitive and sustainable way.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

I participate in architecture competitions because they provide a valuable platform for independent architectural exploration, critical thinking, and conceptual development. In academic and professional contexts, design processes are naturally shaped by tutors, briefs and clients . Competitions offer the opportunity to develop a proposal through a more personal and autonomous architectural vision. For me, they are a way to test ideas, take thoughtful creative risks, and refine the values that guide my work as an emerging architect.

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

I would advise them to approach architecture competitions as a professional and intellectual exercise . Competitions provide a valuable framework to test ideas, develop conceptual discipline, and strengthen the ability to communicate architectural thinking clearly.