The Winners!
YEARNING TO BREATHE 2022
First Prize Winners
Andres J. Mora
U.S.
I am a Master of Architecture student at Florida International University. Born and raised in Venezuela, I moved to the United States at the age of eighteen to pursue my college education. I have a bachelor’s degree in art & design and a personal passion for social studies, which influences my approach to architecture. My designs seek to create experiences within spaces. Experiences that promote human-to-nature, human-to-human, and human-to-self relationships. My cultural and academic background have taught me the importance of understanding the cultural influences that shape people and communities into who they are. And I believe architecture is an art form that offers the opportunity to influence the human condition, and there is true power in that.
Andres J. Mora
Andres J. Mora
What is your design philosophy?
I am a huge fan of the conceptual stage of architecture, and I see every project as an opportunity to envision something magical and exciting. My academic background before architecture was in art & design, so the dream-beyond-possibilities mindset of an artist is close to my heart. I believe that we should give ideas a chance and allow ourselves to design from a point of view, even if it does not always work. Architecture is a challenging field, and it takes a lot out of you, so I think it is important to remind ourselves that it is okay to enjoy it and experiment with design possibilities that get you excited about the work you are doing.
Can you briefly explain your understanding of the topic and the source of ideas?
The notion of Biophilia is that we as humans have a tendency to be happier when surrounded by nature and the natural world. Living within nature was our original state of being, so it is ingrained in our DNA. The idea behind my project the Biophilic Eye was to design a space that functioned as the user’s own eye to nature while allowing nature to look back at the user. I was inspired by the concept of living in a space that made you feel as if you were still in the outdoors while providing the comforts of the built environment. The design started as a sort of translucid oculus that allowed the elements to become part of the living experience and over time transitioned into a more organic direction with the human eye as the main source of inspiration.
When and how you were first introduced to architecture?
My first memory of making a connection with architecture was the first time I traveled abroad and my familly and I visited Spain, where my father was born. I remember sight-seeing around Barcelona and experiencing Antoni Gaudi’s work for the first time. At that moment I understood that architecture was an art form as well as a necessity and since then the idea of being an architect was always in my mind.
What does architecture mean to you?
Growing up I was always interested in artistic disciplines, so I knew I wanted to do something that allowed me to be a creator. But I also had a soft spot for social studies and trying to understand the human condition and the influences that shape people and communities into who they are. Architecture gives me the opportunity to one day create art that can help better people’s lives and enhance the human experience. It is my opinion that architecture is at its best when it provides experiences beyond just habitable spaces, and that is how the most memorable architecture has been created.
Second Prize Winners
Yasyfina Widyarini, Alfira Kurniawati, Shafira Izzatunnisa
Indonesia
Alfira Kurniawati
I am a college student majoring in architecture at University of Indonesia. I'm interested in participatory architecture. I am also intrigued by the art field, particularly illustration and graphic design. As someone with a unique blend of creativity, expertise, and a community-focused mindset, I am eager to contribute my knowledge and skills to the world.
Shafira Izzatunnisa
I'm currently a student pursuing a Bachelor of Architecture degree at the University of Indonesia. I'm passionate about architecture and design, and I'm constantly seeking to learn and grow in my field. I'm particularly interested in urban design and green architecture.
Yasyfina Aflah Widyarini
I am currently a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Indonesia. Throughout my academic journey, I have learned to approach design problems with a critical and creative mindset, while keeping in mind the social, environmental, and cultural contexts of each project.
Alfira Kurniawati
Shafira Izzatunnisa
Yasyfina Widyarini
Alfira Kurniawati
What is your design philosophy?
Our design philosophy is inspired by the concept of biophilia that incorporates natural elements seamlessly in the design.
Our main concept consist of three things, modularity, adaptability, and mutual benefit for the community and the resident.
The design offer variety of modules, living, working, and healing. The modules can be arranged in several ways to adapt to the specific needs and context.
We believe that our design philosophy should be mutually beneficial to both people and nature. This includes features such as rooftop community garden and mini garden module.
Can you briefly explain your understanding of the topic and the source of ideas?
First we try to understand the notion of biophilia. Biophilia is the belief that humans are born with nature, so it needs to interact with each other. In the densely populated urban area, people are suffering from stress and mental illness as the consequence of the blurred boundary between daily life and commercial activities. Another problem is the lack of green space and high level of pollution in the neighborhood
Our design initially comes from our concern towards the reality of urban life in shophouses complex. The vertical site is an extreme and challenging context that can be commonly found in a lot of developing countries. The module is inspired by the nature made beehive pattern.
With the help of our lecturers, we further developed and refined the modules in response to the need of optimizing vertical circulation within the dwelling space.
When and how you were first introduced to architecture?
- Alfira : I was first introduced with architecture in my final year of high school, when I was looking for a major that could combined art and science. After that, i studied and explored more about architecture in college, how it shapes and impacts our daily lives
- Shafira : I was first introduced to architecture when i was in high school. While looking for a way to create a better living environment, i stumble upon architecture. It was then i decided to pursue architecture path.
- Yasfi : For me, growing up in the densely populated neighborhood of Jakarta, I was constantly surrounded by substandard buildings and structures that werent pleasant nor healthy to live in. Ever since then I became interested in the way buildings are built that can improve the quality of life for people. However it was not until I entered university that I was able to acquire knowledge and skills to design for the built environment
What does architecture mean to you?
- Alfira : To me, architecture is not just about designing buildings, but its about creating spaces that enhance people's lives. It's not just about impression, but its should give meaning to the user and the context.
- Shafira : I think architecture is a tool to better understand our experience in the space. It is also a problem solving tool to maybe not all the problem in the world, but in some parts to create a better living environment.
- Yasfi : architecture is a means of creating and shaping the world around us, with the potential to inspire, delight, and improve the quality of life for those who inhabit it.
Third Prize Winners
Julia Sielska
Poland
I am an architecture student at the Wrocław University of Technology, where I earned my engineering degree in 2023. In addition, I study art history at the University of Wrocław. As part of my studies, I participated in design, construction and inventory internships. My greatest passion is art in general, including architecture. I have participated in several competitions in which my work has been recognised.
Julia Sielska
Julia Sielska
What is your design philosophy?
In architecture, the connection between a space and its users is particularly important to me. Building an identity with the world around us is essential to human well-being. Cities often become increasingly oppressive places. We are surrounded by buildings every day, so it is crucial how they interact with us. When designing architecture, I try to consider people as part of a larger whole. Therefore, I attempt to take into account not only our needs, but also those of animals or nature.
I understand architectural design as a process of searching to find a space that functions as well
as possible, but also one in which we feel at ease. Its beauty lies in the fact that it combines logical solutions and assumptions with an artistic approach.
Can you briefly explain your understanding of the topic and the source of ideas?
The main thrust of the project was to exploit the correlation between human psychological wellbeing and nature in its various manifestations. Therefore, I decided to seek my inspiration directly from the processes and forms found in organisms. At first, I tried to find interesting phenomena among plants and animals, but eventually mushrooms became my main inspiration. I was interested in the aspect of their structure and how they transfer the weight of the cap to their stem. Over time, however,
I began to read more about mushrooms and the process of mycorrhiza. This gave me a wider perspective of their role in the environment, which I decided to translate into the language
of architecture. I tried to design a building that, in both a broader and narrower context, would implement the idea of symbiosis and its associated harmony.
When and how you were first introduced to architecture?
My first exposure to architecture was linked to my interest in art history. Trying to understand historical buildings, their structure or meaning enabled me to develop a whole new way
of understanding the space around me.
What does architecture mean to you?
I see architecture as something like a living organism that is forever growing and evolving. Some
of the changes occur involuntarily, others are influenced by us. As architectural designers, we should learn to adapt to these transformations, as well as to new user needs and changing external conditions.
Special mention
Congruo Guan
China
Junior architecture student of Xi 'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University，once participated in the exhibition “somewherenowhere” exhibition held by the editorial GRID of the architecture Department.
Cogruo Guan
Cogruo Guan
Honorable mention
Magdalena Herman
Zhurong Zhang
Erin Justin L. Racpan & Ricardo Andrei Manuel M. Guardino
Magdalena Herman
U.K.
Zhurong Zhang
Zhurong Zhang
Zhurong Zhang
China
Ricardo Andrei Manuel M. Guardino
Erin Justin L. Racpan
Ricardo Andrei Manuel M. Guardino
Erin Justin L. Racpan & Ricardo Andrei Manuel M. Guardino
Philippines
