Architecture competition Urban Zoo Coworking Design Challenge 2nd prize winners - CORNERSTORE

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the winners of the 2nd prize of our “Urban Zoo Coworking Design Challenge” competition - Rachel Fay and Liv Green from Australia!

Rachel Fay and Liv Green from Australia

Cornerstore is a multi-disciplinary design studio passionate about designing environments responsive to people and place. The studio, led by Liv Green and Rachel Fay, was established in February 2018 and born out of a desire to design environments that bring people together; considering both pragmatic and emotive responses to each brief, as well as forging a strong connection between communities and their built environments. As alumni of the University of New South Wales, Liv and Rachel have maintained close ties with the Built Environment Faculty where they now also teach as sessional tutors for the Bachelor of Interior Architecture degree.

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 company/ individuals have been involved?

Our focus is on small scale projects in both residential and commercial design. At present we are working on a number of small workplace fit-outs for local businesses as well as a heritage-listed residential project in Sydney’s Blue Mountains. As a multi-disciplinary practice, we offer services in interior architecture and graphic design. We see this as an opportunity to produce a holistic design outcome for our clients ensuring cohesion between their brand identity and physical environment.

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

We see architecture as an opportunity to create environments that enrich the lives of the communities that inform it. With this comes a great responsibility for architects to design lasting built forms that are sensitive to the environment whilst considering human behaviours and local cultures.

Why do you participate in architecture vision competitions?

We love a challenge and see the innovative and conceptual briefs of architecture vision competitions as an opportunity to be forward-thinking and experimental in our designs. We find participating in these competitions is also a great way to contribute to the design culture on an international scale and connects us with designers worldwide.

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

If a brief inspires you, give it a go! Submitting our entries into these architecture competitions have been some of the most rewarding design experiences we have had.