The Home of Shadows #4 competition Sustainability Award winner - Alexander Fong Kit Kindlen-Cheung

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the Sustainability Award winner of our The Home of Shadows #4 competition – Alexander Fong Kit Kindlen-Cheung from Austria!

Alexander Fong Kit Kindlen-Cheung

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’m an architect originally from Adelaide, Australia, now based in Europe, and have worked for a number of years in an international architecture office.

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?

In my career I’ve been lucky enough to work on a wide variety of project scales, types, and across disciplines. I’m always most excited by projects that have a strong narrative, a unique challenge, or the opportunity to explore conceptual ideas in depth. At any scale or typology, I hope to imbue spaces with character, atmosphere, and maybe a little weirdness, to create meaningful places for people.

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

To me, architecture is for people. I believe it should be generous, both for its people and its place. It has the ability to make everyday life more joyful, and more resonant. At its best, thoughtful design, no matter how modest in scale, can bring positive change to people’s lives.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

I enjoy architecture competitions because they offer a chance to explore ideas in a focused and playful way. I was drawn to the smaller scale and the conceptual challenge of this competition, which was an opportunity to engage in something specific and bespoke. I see competitions as a great way to explore my own processes, refine skills, and improve how clearly I can represent ideas. They are a valuable way to keep learning, experimenting, and growing as a designer.

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

Give it a try! You never know what you’ll learn through the process.