The Winners!
HOME 2122
First Prize Winners
Eric Huynh, Uirim Jin & Tim Follett-Dion
U.S.
Eric Huynh
My name is Eric Huynh and I am a third year student studying architecture at the University of Minnesota. I love to design, and in my free time, I like to make small crafts for friends and family.
Uirim Jin
My name is Uirim Jin. I am currently studying Architecture B.S Program at the University of Mineesota as a junior. In leisure time, I usually like to watch scary movies or go night walk.
When I get stress sometimes, I like to draw some stuff.
Tim Follett-Dion
My name is Tim Follett-Dion and I am a junior majoring in architecture at the University of Minnesota. My studies at the College of Design have fueled existing interests and sparked new ones for me. I have been interested in and engaged in sustainability in my design work since I started at the University of Minnesota. Sustainability design classes have deepened my understanding of creating environmentally friendly spaces.
Eric Huynh
Uirim Jin
Tim Follett-Dion
Eric Huynh
What is your design philosophy?
Eric Huynh:
My design philosophy is fairly simple. I like to design and come up with solutions that are innovative and out of the ordinary. I also base my design for the people; to create a space that is experientially pleasant, and a space that will be there for a very long time, as the people are the ones who inhabit this space. I ask myself this question: How would I feel if I put myself in this space? How would others feel? Asking myself these questions really push my design and help develop something that is actually usable and not just for aesthetics.
Uirim Jin:
My design philosophy is mostly focused on space and the feeling of that space. When I design a building, I think about what feeling would I have or do I feel when I am in that building. So, If I analyze and examine that thinking process and then I go to the next steps. Doing that process, it really leads me to a strong connection between the building and myself. So, I think my design philosophy is mainly about people’s feelings and those moments in spaces.
Tim Follett-Dion:
My design philosophy focuses on sustainability and how buildings adapt to future changes. Sustainability means looking at the passive and active design, selective materials, and regeneration.
Can you briefly explain your understanding of the topic and the source of ideas?
Eric Huynh:
This topic really interested me and it connected well with my design philosophy. Being a home 100 years into the future, the possibilities are endless. Therefore, there are no limits and restrictions to my design. We don’t know what advancements in technology will happen in 100 years into the future and technology has been advancing rapidly these past years. We can choose to design whatever we want even if it sounds crazy today because it might not be crazy in the future. We based our design on the trend of global warming, and the predictions of what might happen if that trend continues. One thing we looked at was biomimicry - to mimic strategies found in nature and solve human design challenges. We thought that this was something that would be looked at more into the future. Another thing we thought about was what type of experience people will have in the future. Today, people are already switching their classes and work into the digital age. This led us to believe that work doesn’t need to be at a set place, but rather anyplace and that allows a more nomadic lifestyle. A lifestyle where you can travel anywhere in the world and still be able to work.
Uirim Jin:
I understood this topic more in a creative way and also how fast we are developing in a technical way. Also, since we are facing global warming issues, I thought that nature and sustainability were also crucial concepts in our idea. That is how we end up having “Bon voyage” house for family and the whole buildings that are connected to it.
Tim Follett-Dion:
I understand the topic is figuring out the current challenge, climate change. Some islands are facing disasters and sinking into the ocean. How can we design a place to replace the islands which lead us to our “Bon voyage” house. A house is free of traveling on water, and a water community to adapt to the change we are facing 100 years later.
When and how were you first introduced to architecture?
Eric Huynh:
I grew up in a family not of architects or in fact, any design based professions. I was actually introduced to architecture very late in my life. One thing for sure is that I grew up loving to design, and I would always make things or come up with problem solutions for the people around me. During high school as I was deciding my career path and what major I would pursue, my friends suggested that I should become an architect. I looked it up, decided it was cool, and was like, “yeah, I’ll try it out.”
Uirim Jin:
Basically, I was not really into architecture area. I was just a normal person who was surprised to see fabulous architectural buildings or structures. One point that really got me to be interested in the architecture field was in Malawi in Malaysia as I was doing missionary activities there. There were so many poor people who did not have any homes or places to shelter themselves. This impoverished situation lead me to think later in my life, I want to be a person who can provide nice shelter to people. I know this shelter does not really related to architecture, but that guides me to think through that at least I have to have some professional knowledge to help people. So, yes..!
Tim Follett-Dion:
I was always amazed by skyscrapers when I was little. I will never forget the construction machines putting the building piece together. I took a 3D design class in high school and am attached to designing and building objects. I have decided to major in architecture and design and create what I love.
What does architecture mean to you?
Eric Huynh:
At first, architecture didn’t really have much meaning to me. It was just some piece of structure I see everyday. As I continued my architectural journey, it became apparent to me that there is so much more to architecture than meets the eye. Architecture is a collection of thought and work put together to form a coherent piece that reflects traditions, cultures, design philosophies, history, ideas, and the people who make it possible. It is very complicated, and I know that the meaning of architecture to me will continue to change as I continue my journey.
Uirim Jin:
If I have to answer this question in one word, that would be “everything”. Architecture is everywhere and also related to everything in my life. When you walk on the street, you see all nice fancy buildings. When you are inside of the buildings, you have to know or navigate through to find places or rooms that you want to go. So, whenever or wherever, it just makes me keep thinking about architecture. That is why I said It means everything to me.
Tim Follett-Dion:
Architecture is a master of planning—the planning of the building's function, feeling, and sustainability.
Second Prize Winners
Yang Zhao
China
I graduated from Tianjin University with a bachelor’s degree of Engineering in Urban Planning and from Cornell University with a master’s degree of Architecture. I worked for BUZZ Beijing, STR NYC, Gensler Boston and SOM Chicago; currently I am working for Pfeiffer Partners Architects in Los Angeles as a Project Architect, majoring in theatrical and musical Architecture Design. I started my own brand UYANG Architecture in 2021, and already won several major international awards and publicized several articles and projects on Archdaily, Gooood, Archcollege, Archposition, etc. I am also a commercial pilot, flight instructor and an aviation business owner.
A seasoned professional with over years of experience in the Architecture and Aviation industries, I offer a proven track record in designing quality buildings, conducting safe and efficient flights & flight training, and creating meaningful connections with my clients. As a dedicated, responsible, and hardworking individual, I seek to deliver projects that have the potential to be both timeless, functional and deeply cultural; and I aspire to break the boundaries interdisciplinary as well as geographically. I believe culture and technology should join hand in hand, and we human beings should endeavor to pursue them unremittingly for humanity.
Yang Zhou
Yang Zhou
What is your design philosophy?
Architecture should grow from and lead in the cultural context and becomes part of the history.
Can you briefly explain your understanding of the topic and the source of ideas?
Asian countries are generally still on the track of urbanization, which makes me think we should probably develop some residential high-rises that truly respect culture, history and technology, which will not only bring back the authentic social relationships but also take the most advantage of technology and make future living to be convenient and sustainable.
When and how you were first introduced to architecture?
I attended the Architecture School at Tianjin University in 2009.
What does architecture mean to you?
Architecture is the methods of everyday living, if we architects truly respect our values. I personally is attending a part-time MBA program, because I believe the value of Architecture should not be guided by clients but by architects themselves, so that design value is not just a follower of capital but the user and owner of capital. If we embrace technology, business and design value all together, we architects will play a much more crucial and impactful roll in term of evolving the methods of everyday living for human beings and societies.
Third Prize Winners
Yumeng Hong & Zhengqing Tan
China
I am Yumeng Hong, from China, currently studying in China’s Academy of Art. I love painting and art. Since I was little, I like to build all kinds of small dollhouses and my dream is to become an architecture and interior designer.
My teammate Zhengqing Tan is my university classmate, she likes all kinds of handicraft arts and also wants to be an interior designer. We have shared interests and ideas, and designing together can push each other to improve and become better selves.
Yumeng Hong & Zhengqing Tan
Yumeng Hong & Zhengqing Tan
What is your design philosophy?
Our design started with material research. Because we wanted to design a home for the inhabitants of the desert in northwest China in 2122 when desertification will be more severeand sand is the most common material in the area. We wanted to mix sand and other materials such as fiber to create a kind of rammed earth concrete that would reduce the cost of materials and make houses available to the less developed families in the area. We also envisioned what the house might look like in the future when the baby boom is coming and families are centered on children under the continued influence of China's three-child policy. The interior spaces are curved to allow babies and children to explore freely while avoiding bumps and bruises. The diffuse reflection of the rammed earth concrete will also create a blend of interior light to protect children's eyes.
Can you briefly explain your understanding of the topic and the source of ideas?
My understanding of the 2122 home is reflected in the three aspects of policy, environment and function. I think architecture has to be based on local reality, because the local policy influences the designer's decision on a large scale. In the face of desertification and resource shortage that may occur in 100 years, the design of a home has to be responsive to the environment and locally sourced materials. The demographic composition of a family may have a variety of combinations, and different families need different amounts of living space, so assembled housing is a great development direction in the future, which will be more economical and convenient.
When and how you were first introduced to architecture?
My first introduction to architecture was when I was a child playing with dollhouses, and arranging the interior decoration, and I felt very delighted when I saw the beautiful houses being built. Since then, I have wanted to help others through design and create more comfortable living spaces.
What does architecture mean to you?
A building means a small family to me. Everyone wants to have a home of their own, no matter how big or small, and it is very cozy for a family to live together. I see architecture as a container for living, it has some spatial material connection with our lives, and it holds the laughter of the family and the silence of a sound sleep. At the same time, architecture means a kind of resistance, in which we project the social status quo to an extreme and envision what the space of a child-centered family will become in the future. Through the fiction of a proactive approach, we express a reflection and critique of reality.
Special mention
Yuting Cai, Hongyang Deng & Jiayun Wu
China
Yuting Cai, an undergraduate student from ShanTou University.
Hongyang Deng, an undergraduate student from ShanTou University.
JiaYun Wu, an undergraduate student from ShanTou University.
Yuting Cai
Hongyang Deng
JiaYun Wu
Yuting Cai
Honorable mention
Alejandro Salvo
Space Studio Chennai
Aravindhkumar R P, Lingesh Krishna & Priya Dharshini
Alejandro Salvo
Alejandro Salvo
Alejandro Salvo
Chile
Space studio chennai
Space studio chennai
Space Studio Chennai
India
Aravindh kumar R P
LingeshKrishna
Priya Dharshini
Aravindh kumar R P
Aravindhkumar R P, Lingesh Krishna & Priya Dharshini
India
