We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to one of our Honorable mention winners for our “Vale De Moses Meditation Cabins” competition - Thiago Jaconianni, Philip Kolevsohn and Toufic Rifai from Italy.

Thiago Jaconianni, Philip Kolevsohn and Toufic Rifai

Coming from vastly different backgrounds, our paths first crossed 3 years ago during our master’s degree studies at Politecnico di Milano, in Milan, Italy. After a period of intense academic collaboration, our connection has extended past the confines of institutional teamwork, despite each of us having taken separate professional paths. The recent period of uncertainty caused by current global events provided an opportunity for us to take a mental break from our intense daily routines. After brainstorming a number of new opportunities and ways to channel our creative energy, we decided to collaborate on an architectural competition.

Our team has a very special narrative, as our paths met in Italy, but we are from Brazil, South Africa, and Lebanon. This extremely diverse combination of cultural backgrounds and upbringings has allowed us to combine our varied ideas in an informed and creative manner by composing a series of interesting interventions to a number of design challenges. We believe in the importance of diversity and multicultural interactions in the field of architecture and design, thus, we aim to continue to channel our diversity and cultural differences for the better.

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

We believe that architecture is within the essence of society, but we feel it has lost some importance in recent years. We hope that the new generation of architects and designers, one which we ourselves hope to represent, will be able to bring architectural thinking to the forefront of societal decision-making in the near future. Architects have developed a high level of sensitivity, and this gives us the possibility to provide informed, efficient, sustainable and creative answers to many societal challenges the existing built environment might face. We, as a diverse group of young creative minds, believe that a space only becomes a place once its use has been defined by its inhabitants. It is only then that the success of architecture can truly be seen.

Why do you participate in architecture vision competitions?

We find that architecture vision competitions give participants more freedom to tackle social and architectural issues, while at the same time providing a platform for discussion of sensitive topics which architects and designers would not otherwise have the ability to discuss or argue on. It gives architects and designers the opportunity to research, experiment, create and discover, in an attempt to solve real problems in an 'out of the box', yet educated and inspired manner. For us, it was about taking on the challenge of combining varied cultures and backgrounds in order to reach a shared goal.

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

The greatest thing about architecture competitions is that it is a choice. An active decision you make in an attempt to trigger your own curiosity. You’re giving yourself the opportunity to work on something that interests you, with a group of people who will challenge your way of thinking, bringing you to realise that the world of architecture and design is not simple. It is rich in interpretation, creativity, problem solving, and provides a platform for growth.

Top 3 Reasons Why You Should Enter Architecture Competitions

Curious about the value of architecture competitions? Discover the transformative power they can have on your career - from igniting creativity and turning designs into reality, to gaining international recognition.

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