The Last Nuclear Bomb Memorial / Edition #3 Honorable mention winners - Jiahao Zhang, Jiamin Bao and Ke Ye

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the Honorable mention winners of our "The Last Nuclear Bomb Memorial / Edition #3" competition – Jiahao Zhang, Jiamin Bao and Ke Ye!

Jiahao Zhang, Jiamin Bao and Ke Ye

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.

Jiamin and Jiahao are currently studying at Politecnico di Milano in the second year of their master's degree. Jiamin had worked in Shanghai for two years and participated in several urban renewal projects. Jiahao received his undergraduate degree from Harbin Institute of Technology. Ke Ye is currently studying in the first year of his master's degree at Harbin Institute of Technology. He focuses on studying the influence of coldness in the northern part of China and actively participates in architectural competitions, winning several awards.

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

For us, architecture is not just about itself, but also encompasses the relationships between humans, context, and architecture. All the essential elements designed by architects aim to create spaces that foster relationships between individuals and their environment, allowing them to have a storytelling experience that can be explored.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

As students, participating in architectural competitions allows us to learn about more architectural projects, broaden our horizons, and understand the diverse interpretations of people from different cultural backgrounds. At the same time, it encourages us to improve our professional skills and design methods.

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

Our suggestion is to do it. Architecture competitions allow us to independently think about a thematic and conceptual project, which is different from professional work and academic assignments that require considering multiple ideas. It is a mental process that quickly helps us find our inner thoughts and practice them. It's not about the outcome but a way of finding ourselves.