Architecture Competition Timber Pavilion Archhive award winner – MXIBER

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the Student prize winner of our "Timber Pavilion" competition – Diego Sierra Mora from Mexico!

Diego Sierra Mora from Mexico!

I’m a Mexican architecture student, currently undertaking my eighth semester. I have participated in several architecture competitions with the main purpose of gaining experience and knowledge, having the fortune of winning some of them. I have built some small-scale social projects, and I’m currently participating with some colleagues in the construction of different freelance projects. I also work as a freelancer doing different style renders and illustrations.

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?

When it comes to architecture competitions or freelance projects, I am mainly focused on small to medium scale projects, because that way I can take the design to a higher level of detail; I like taking into consideration the resolution of both constructive and decorative aspects.

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

For me, architecture should be interdisciplinary matter, that has the main objective of resolving a specific problem, in the most efficient way. In this process, there should always be taken into consideration elements such as the site and its local materials, traditions, history, and socioeconomic conditions, among others. That said, the role of an architect should be focused on learning about all these different systems when approaching a project, to propose an informed and all-encompassing solution, instead of being an excuse for creating a showoff architecture that solves little or nothing of the actual social existing projects. Going deeper into this last topic, I think an architect has the duty to soak up of the atmosphere of the site and specially of the inhabitants or users of the projects, to design a space that fit them in the best way possible and prioritizing always their needs over personal aesthetic whims.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

I like to participate in architecture competitions for several reasons. The main one is to gain experience; I have found out that with every competition I enter, win or lose, my amount of knowledge and ability to solve different problems grows substantially, and the proof is that when I look back to the first competitions I participated in, I can clearly see how much I have improved, both in representation styles and quality, but also in the way I approach a new project, learning from my previous mistakes.

The second reason is because that I see competitions as an opportunity to let my imagination run free without the constraints that usually come with regular projects, so that way I’m able to design different spaces and atmospheres just having fun with it, and finally, the third reason is having the possibility to win the competition, and gaining all the benefits that come with that; it is not a matter of ego (although it feels great when u win one), but more because of the publications of your projects and the recognition that comes with that, which can have a really positive impact on your career and attract potential future clients.

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 that the struggle to decide whether to enter an architecture competition or not, comes from the fear of not winning, that’s why my advice for people who think that way, is that your main objective should not be winning, because it’s a fact that you will lose various competitions before winning one. Instead, you should focus on all the positive things that each competition will give u, such as all the experience and knowledge, and a huge personal and professional growth.

Open architecture competitions

  • Closest Deadline first
  • Project competitions first
    Selected winning projects have the potential to be constructed
  • Ideas competitions first
    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
project COMPETITION
Iceland Beer Spa

Design a beer spa in Iceland's captivating landscape

Prize: MONETARY AWARD + CONSTRUCTION
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Jun 14
Sep 14
Nov 08
ideas COMPETITION
The Architect's Chair
Edition #1

Take a seat and make a statement!

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Jun 06
Sep 06
Nov 01
ideas COMPETITION
Beyond Isolation: Senior Housing
Senior living. Edition#2

Reimagine senior living spaces

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Jun 08
Sep 08
Nov 02
project COMPETITION
The Legendary Highway 14 Tower

Design an iconic tower for De Smet, South Dakota, USA

Prize: MONETARY AWARD + CONSTRUCTION
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Jun 09
Sep 12
Nov 03

Reccuring architecture competitions

ideas COMPETITION
MICROHOME
Small living, huge impact! Edition #6

Design a new concept of small-scale home

Prize: MONETARY AWARD + PUBLICATION IN MAGAZINE
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Feb 16
Apr 18
Jun 16
ideas COMPETITION
Silent contest
For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
The Last Nuclear Bomb Memorial
Edition #3

Design a memorial that speaks to the cause of ending all nuclear weapons programs

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Jun 26
Sep 03
Nov 05
ideas COMPETITION
Silent contest
For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Museum of Emotions
Edition #3

Use architecture to create different emotional states

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Mar 17
May 19
Jul 21
Run repeatedly
Virtual Home
Edition #2

Shape the future of digital living environments

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
May 02
Jul 04
Sep 06
Register now
Run repeatedly
Pavilion Of Humanity: First Contact
Edition #2

How would you represent the best that humanity has to offer through architecture?

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Mar 27
May 25
Jul 24
Register now
Run repeatedly
Silent contest
For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Architectural Visualization Award
Edition #2

Present your best work and submit your favorite architectural visualization

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Mar 23
May 25
Jul 27
Register now
Run repeatedly
Los Angeles Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series #16

Design affordable housing solutions in Los Angeles

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Jun 07
Sep 07
Nov 01
Register now

Creativity gym Short term competitions for you to exercise your creativity

T-SHIRT DRAWING COMPETITION
The Architect's T-shirt
Edition #19

Design THE architect's t-shirt!

Prize: 3,000 €
Eligibility: open to all

registration deadlines

Remind me
May 31
Jun 30
Jul 31
Register now
ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO COMPETITION
THE BUILDNER'S ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO COMPETITION
Edition #4

Submit your online portfolio!

Prize: 5,000 €
Eligibility: open to all

registration deadlines

Remind me
Jun 30
Jul 31
Aug 31
Register now

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Competition results

Hong Kong 
Pixel Homes

Hong Kong Pixel Homes

Affordable Housing Series #2
MICROHOME

MICROHOME

Small living, huge impact! Edition #4

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