Architecture Competition Yoga House in the Bog Honorable mention winners – Luis Taboada Naccarati and Vinicius Gonzalez Cuevas Martins

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to one of our Honorable mention winner for our  "Yoga House in the Bog" competition – Luis Taboada Naccarati and Vinicius Gonzalez Cuevas Martins from Brazil!

Honorable mention winners from Brazil

Luis - Architect and Urbanist graduated at Mackenzie Presbyterian University in 2014. Archicad instructor since 2018 and BIM consultant for various offices in Brazil. Participated in national and international competitions, developing proposals for cultural and institutional buildings, both public and private.



Vinicius - Architect and Urbanist graduated at Mackenzie Presbyterian University in 2019. Working in the field of architecture since 2015, with a postgraduate degree in Sustainability in Architecture and Urbanism. Currently employed at one of the largest real estate development companies in Brazil.

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?

Luis - I work as an instructor, teaching modeling, documentation and BIM project management and graphic representation. I also assist architectural offices in Brazil in rendering matters. As an architect and consultant, I have participated in projects of various scales, ranging from small apartments to large buildings, hotel developments, resorts, and urban planning.

Vinicius - Currently, I am involved in several of the largest real estate developments ever undertaken in the industry, such as the Eden Park by Dror, Vila Versace, On the Sky Cyrela by Yoo, and other iconic projects in the city of São Paulo. We have worked together on national and international architecture competitions aiming to exercise our architectural expression in a more spontaneous way.

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

Architecture is a discipline that offers the opportunity to materialize ideas in a way that contributes to the creation of a collective space. In this process, it ends up translating, sheltering, and recording the way humans exist in the world. The role of the architect in society is to ensure that these developed collective spaces are fair, democratic, and reinforce the vibrant cultures of each location in a respectful manner, that does not overshadow the context in which they are placed. We also believe that it is essential for architects to question all given conditions as a way to redefine and enhance the possibilities of new architecture.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

Participation in architecture competitions opens up creative horizons to other fields beyond our current work environment and keeps us updated and informed about non-conventional topics. It also stimulates creativity and explores new research possibilities. Competitions offer the chance to question architecture, language, and representation in how we normally carry out our work. By embracing these opportunities, we can expand our perspectives and bring fresh insights to our architectural practice.

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

Indeed, the experience goes beyond merely developing a theme proposed by the platform. It involves pushing the boundaries of creativity, conception, and materialization of ideas. It is a pursuit of professional and personal fulfillment that stimulates various artistic disciplines. We also believe that competitions provide opportunities for young architects to express innovative ideas in a more democratic way. These contests allow its participants to participate in spaces where creativity and originality can flourish, allowing new voices and approaches to be heard by the architectural practice. They offer a platform for emerging architects to showcase their talents, gain recognition, and contribute to the field with new perspectives. By participating in such competitions, architects can challenge the status quo, inspire change, and shape the future of architecture.