Architecture competition Casablanca Bombing Rooms 3rd prize winner - Rina Chinen

We’d like to take this opportunity to introduce the 3rd prize winner of our Casablanca Bombing Rooms competition - Rina Chinen from Japan!

Rina Chinen 

Based in Tokyo, Maru・chi was founded in November 2014 by Rina Chinen. Rina previously worked for LMN Architects and Olson Kundig Architects in Seattle, and Tezuka Architects in Tokyo, totaling over 10 years of experience in architecture.

Rina Chinen has been involved in many built and unbuilt projects of varying scales, from furniture to convention centers. Maru・chi seeks any project that involve design and vision, and believes any project, no matter the scale, program, region, or belief, is important.

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

Architecture is about change. A person changing to live a better and happier life. A community changing to bond together and care for each other. Humans changing to exist with nature in harmony. Changing the way families spend time with each other. Those seemingly small changes can lead to larger changes and a drive for society to improve the world. Architecture should not merely exist as an object or an instant pleasure to our eyes; it should gradually grow into people’s hearts and evoke emotion.

It is my pleasure to provide a lens for people to see the world differently. Emotional attachment to a space can happen even through two dimensional presentation boards. If the viewers of my project imagine visiting the space I designed, think what they would do in this space, have a little smile on their faces, start to expand their imagination, and gradually grow attached to this potential of a place, that’s the reason to participate in this kind of competition. These competitions are a great opportunity to think about the link between architecture and society, and that can only strengthen my vision.

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

Just do it! A vision competition does not give too many constraints to work around. It is a great opportunity for an architect to express ideas freely. Even if the project is not selected as a winner, what matters the most is the process. Thinking what would be the most thoughtful solution for a given site, program, or people, and how to express it three dimensionally in a two ­dimensional medium. It is challenging, but yet, rewarding when submitting work. If selected as a winner, it is a great way to advertise one’s practice as well.