The Last Nuclear Bomb Memorial / Edition #5 3rd and Student Prize winner - Washington University in St. Louis

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the 3rd and Student Prize winner of our "The Last Nuclear Bomb Memorial / Edition #5" competition – Marco Moreno Donohoe from United States!

Marco Moreno Donohoe

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 currently a junior studying architecture at the Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Art at Washington University In St. Louis. I became interested in architecture as realistic pursuit in high school as I was lucky to go to a school with a strong architecture curriculum. This experience early on solidified for me that architecture was something I would like to do as a career. So far at WashU, I am enjoying the architecture program and I plan to graduate in 2026 with a BS in Architecture.

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 portfolio is comprised of many projects at various scales like a fire station, archive building, skyscraper, and bivouac to name a few. This project has been by far the largest scale concept I've come up with and I am most interested by the almost sublime nature of the massive structure.

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

I believe good architecture supports the needs, task, and activities of a society, but great architecture enhances these needs, tasks, and activities. I admire architecture that inspire joy, awe, and wonder.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

This is the first architectural competition I have participated in! I was interested by the key feature that you cannot submit text with your project for this competition. I am particularly interested in art and architecture involving earthwork installations, and this seemed right up my alley.

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

I think participating in a competition like this one is a great low stakes way to practice all sorts of architectural skills. I only spend a total of about 12 hours on this project, but was able to get more practice in rendering, presentation design, conceptual development, and drawing.