The Last Nuclear Bomb Memorial #4 competition 3rd prize winners - Kongyun He and Michele Turrini

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the 3rd prize winners of our "The Last Nuclear Bomb Memorial #4" competition – Kongyun He and Michele Turrini from United States!

Michele Turrini and Kongyun He

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 collaboration began as students at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, where we first started working together. This partnership continues to this day.

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?

We engage in projects that allow us to explore bold and experimental ideas while ensuring that our designs are both visionary and grounded in the practical realities of site-specific challenges and constraints.

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

For us, architecture is a means of discovering new realities by challenging inherited conventions and assumptions. It contributes to a collective imagination of possibilities and discovery.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

Competitions provide a unique opportunity for us to engage in design beyond our regular work, keeping our curiosity and creativity alive as we explore projects outside our usual scope. They also serve as an outlet for us to share our design perspectives and ambitions with the industry. Additionally, by engaging with a broader audience, competitions allow us to address important societal questions through the architectural lens.

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

I encourage them to put themselves out there and share their unique perspectives with the world. It is through collective knowledge that we can inspire change, creating a fairer society and a healthier profession where all voices are heard, and differences are valued.