Competition brief
Design Competition
iConcept Award 2023
Key Dates
*All times are in UTC
Prizes
Ideas for Change
Eligibility
Jinsu Park is an architectural designer currently working in Switzerland with previous work experience in S. Korea, USA, Canada and Japan. He has obtained his Bachelor's in Architectural Studies at the University of Waterloo in Canada and is in the process of obtaining his Master's of Science in Architecture at the Mendrisio Academy of Architecture in Switzerland. Jinsu has an interest in human scale design and the vernacular of different regions all over world. His work has been exhibited globally including in Canada, Japan and most recently at the 17th Venice Architectural Biennale in 2021.
Michael Fohring is a co-founder of Odami, a Toronto-based design studio. The studio’s work ranges from architectural design to interiors, furniture, and small objects, and has won local and international awards, including the Designlines Designer of the Year, an AN Interior Award, and a Canadian Interiors Award. Through challenging the conventions of typology and traditional building techniques, the studio’s focus is to produce work which is highly contextual and well-crafted, yet playful and unexpected. Prior to starting Odami, Michael worked in architectural offices in Montreal, Toronto, and Austria. In addition to the work of the studio, Michael has maintained a regular role as a sessional instructor since 2017, teaching at both the Toronto Metropolitan University School of Interior Design and the University of Waterloo School of Architecture. Michael completed his B.Sc.Arch and M.Arch degrees at McGill University in Montreal, where he was named to the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada Honour Roll, and was awarded the AIA Henry Adams Medal and the RAIC Student Medal. Michael was also named amongst 30 international designers under 30 in 2018, awarded by the New York City-based One Club for Creativity.
Arancha González Bernardo (B.Sc.Arch, M.Arch: ETSAC, A Coruña, Spain; BCIN) is a Spanish architect and co-founder of Odami, an architectural and design firm based out of Toronto, Canada. Founded in 2017, the studio focuses on residential and commercial projects, supplemented with material experimentation and furniture and object design. Prior to co-founding Odami, Arancha worked in offices in Spain, Austria, and Canada, collaborating on projects in cities across Europe and North America. Arancha completed her studies in Architecture at the Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura in La Coruña, Spain, with a specialty in Theory and Design. In addition to Odami, Arancha is a Sessional Lecturer at the School of Interior Design of the Toronto Metropolitan University.
Mark is committed to the exploration of visual compositions and spatial experiences using digital tools. In addition to his architectural training, he has a background in oil painting and building envelope consulting. Having participated in and won multiple design competitions in his time as a student, he is keenly aware of - and always challenging - the boundary between virtual architecture and built architecture. Mark is currently an architectural designer at Henriquez Partners Architects in Vancouver. He Holds a Master of Architecture from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design and a Bachelor of Architectural Studies from the University of Waterloo.
Winners
1st Place
The Last Vacation 'The Story of Journey and Death'
In collaboration with Arif Ismail, our project delves into the concept of the "human demise." We aim to develop a new procedure that harnesses the resources and energy generated from a human's death while exploring an alternative where these resources and energy form the foundation of a new architectural dimension within the Cumbria region, specifically in Penrith. Through this endeavor, we seek to create innovative building materials and expand the possibilities of constructing structures. We explored a holistic approach by not solely focusing on the physical infrastructure and operational systems of the premises. It delves deeply into the intricate nuances of human behavior, acknowledging the significance of spatial qualities, lighting, emotions, and cultural backgrounds that are inherently intertwined with the experiences surrounding funerals and death. Moreover, the project is keenly aware of the profound emotions and personal connections associated with funeral rituals and the concept of death. Cultural backgrounds, traditions, and beliefs are thoughtfully integrated into the design and implementation processes. By honoring and respecting diverse cultural perspectives, the project aims to create spaces that resonate with individuals from different backgrounds, fostering inclusivity and understanding. By deeply considering these human behavioral aspects and plug it into the designated infrastructure system, the project strives to create an environment that goes beyond mere functionality. It seeks to provide a profound and meaningful experience for individuals navigating the challenging and sensitive moments associated with funerals and the overall concept of death.
Aiman Hakim Rahman
June 27, 2023
2nd Place
From Fractals to Fabrication: Discovering a Novel Method for Grid-Shell Design
This is an architectural master's project that takes a deep dive into the fascinating world of fractals, and how a their study can enhance the built environment. With a passion for mathematics and a deep curiosity for the natural world, the aim of this project was to explore the relationship between geometry and modern fabrication techniques. As the research progressed, it became evident that fractal geometry holds a wealth of opportunity for digital design, particularly in the development of beautiful grid-shells. By using minimal surfaces and geodesic curves, the study led to the discovery of a novel method of generating grid-shells that are both aesthetically pleasing and efficient. Additionally, the process of increasing the surface area non-uniformly helped gain a deeper understanding of how to add complexity to grid-shells while maintaining their performance. Grid-shells are not only incredibly efficient, but also visually stunning when designed well. This project offers a glimpse into what the future of grid-shell construction could look like, and has even inspired further research into the application of Japanese Kagome Weaving techniques. The ambition for this project is also to encourage a deeper appreciation for the beauty and efficiency of grid-shells as light-weight structures in the built environment. The full project can be found here: tinyurl.com/Prokariopolis Supplementary project research can be found here: tinyurl.com/fractal-dimensions tinyurl.com/developing-fractals tinyurl.com/gridshell-form-finding
Nick Leung
February 26, 2023
3rd Place
TAM GIANG LAGOON CULTURAL ACTIVITIES CENTER
TAM = THREE GIANG = RIVER Tam Giang Lagoon is made up of three rivers: Huong River, Bo River and O Lau River ABOUT THE SITE - TAM GIANG LAGOON Hue is known as the "poem" of urban Vietnam. Following the Huong river to the sea, the intersection between the poetic river and the vast ocean is Tam Giang Lagoon, which contains the idyllic and dear beauty of Hue. Tam Giang Lagoon is also known as the "biological pearl" because it has many rich and diverse natural resources. The reason for the name Tam Giang lagoon is because it is the convergence of three famous rivers in Hue: Huong river, Bo river and O Lau river. Each river has its own characteristics, material and spiritual values, which contribute to creating a Tam Giang lagoon with a diversity of ecosystems and cultures. With the values of nature - culture - history, Tam Giang Lagoon deserves to be studied in order to preserve and promote its inherent values. Before I begin to analyze it further, I seriously outline four specific goals in this project that need to be achieved. The first thing is to protect the natural environment, the ecosystem of Tam Giang lagoon. The second goal is to preserve the traditional cultural beauty of this place. The third goal is aimed at people in the lagoon area, how to make them aware of the great potential values of Tam Giang lagoon, thereby helping to balance the development of the lagoon area and people's lives. My ultimate goal is to promote the image of Tam Giang lagoon to international friends. TAM GIANG LAGOON’S CULTURE Culture has a close relationship between man and nature. Culture is shaped by nature, so the customs and habits of local people here are also shaped very specifically, only Tam Giang lagoon has it. Every year, big festivals such as fishing festival, boat racing festival, art kite flying festival, .. are organized very elaborately, creating a solemn and joyful atmosphere, meaningful to help. connection between man and man, man and nature. In addition, the daily customs and habits in Tam Giang lagoon that often take place such as floating markets, spiritual culture, religion, production forms, .. are all expressed quietly, not too ostentatiously.
Tai Le
July 2, 2023
4th Place
The future is Guarani
"For those who do not understand our language, I will translate. The Guarani people were like a river flowing slowly in its course when a giant stone was thrown into the stream. The water splashed into many corners. And the survivors are here today gathered together," says the Guarani-Kaiowá Anastácio Peralta, under the nodding eyes of his 'relatives' from Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay. With this introduction I would like to talk a little about the Guarani people and how they can serve as inspiration for architecture in the future, forming a utopian relationship with nature. The Guarani people of Brazil have a rich cultural heritage that is rooted in their deep connection to the natural world. Their way of life, which emphasized harmony and balance with the environment, can provide inspiration for architects and urban planners as we look towards a more sustainable future. By studying the Guarani's approach to architecture, we can learn how to design buildings that are not only beautiful and functional, but also respectful of the natural world. For the Guarani, architecture was not just about shelter, but about creating spaces that facilitated social interaction and community cohesion. Their traditional buildings were constructed using local materials such as wood, bamboo, and thatch, and were designed to blend in seamlessly with their surroundings. They utilized natural ventilation and lighting techniques to minimize their energy consumption and promote healthy indoor environments. As we strive to create a utopia for our future society, we can draw on the wisdom of the Guarani to design buildings and cities that are in harmony with the natural world, and that promote social interaction, community cohesion, and a sense of well-being. By integrating these principles into our architectural designs, we can create a sustainable future that is both beautiful and functional. The Guarani people, considered the oldest indigenous group in Brazil, possess a rich cultural heritage that has been fragmented due to various social transformations. Understanding the configuration of the first dwellings in the national territory is not only important for historical and cultural memory, but also for understanding the relationship between humans and the living space in contemporary times. To this end, a qualitative research was conducted with a focus on narratives that describe, through documentary and bibliographic records, the customs and relationships that occur within their dwellings. The result is a brief documentation of the origins of cultural diversity, with an emphasis on behavioral approaches from the perspective of housing and the role of women within this society. By studying the architecture of the Guarani people, we can learn valuable lessons about their harmonious relationship with the environment and how to design buildings that are respectful of nature. The traditional dwellings of the Guarani were constructed using locally sourced materials, such as wood and thatch, and were designed to blend seamlessly into the landscape. Furthermore, the role of women within Guarani society is also an important aspect to consider when discussing their dwellings. Women were responsible for the construction and maintenance of the homes, and their knowledge of local materials and building techniques was highly valued. By understanding the architecture and social customs of the Guarani people, we can gain insights into sustainable and respectful building practices that can inform our own approach to architecture and urban planning. Throughout this project, I will not only be discussing the Guarani people, but they were the starting point for the idea. There are many other indigenous communities in Brazil that deserve recognition and attention, including the Xingu tribes, the Yanomami people, the riverine communities, and the isolated tribes. Each of these groups has unique cultural practices, customs, and ways of life that are important to preserve and understand. By exploring the diversity of indigenous communities in Brazil, we can gain a greater appreciation for their contributions to the country's heritage and identity. All images were created using Stable Diffusion Ai.
Matheus Rudo Antoniassi Pereira de Oliveira
April 22, 2023
5th Place
PANO REHABILITATION PLACE FOR MS
Rehabilitation centers are not offering suitable settings for patients to heal physically. By confining physical therapy to a single room, these facilities do not encourage movement, stimulation of the senses, or aid in patients' recovery. Rather than limiting physical therapy to a specific space, the infrastructure of rehabilitation centers, such as hallways and corridors, could be utilized to create an interactive and dynamic experience for patients. To achieve holistic well-being, this project will explore the concept of designing spaces for physical rehabilitation. Theories of healing spaces will be examined in conjunction with the gradual healing process through mobility and exercise to create a circulation system for a physical rehabilitation center.
Anisa Cenaj
March 11, 2023
Honorable Mention
Hotel REEF
Hotel REEF is a bio-structured building embedded in our oceanic ecosystem. The hotel is built as part of a reef that needed restoration and includes both over and underwater levels. The reef is the hotel and the hotel is the reef. The interior design is inspired by the complex and rich coral structures, and the outer part is an integral and continuous part of the coral reef formation. The hotel is built using 3D printing where the skeleton is used as a platform for coral growth in order to increase biodiversity. A guest in the hotel will feel as if he is surrounded by marine life and is part of a living and growing system. The interior design of marine environments together with the ocean’s natural views will allow a meditative and relaxing atmosphere that only underwater presence can give. I see a growing need for our society to strengthen its connection with nature and how we as humans use architecture to integrate with our surroundings. Bioarchitecture is an approach to designing buildings that are in harmony with nature. This growing field in architecture uses natural elements as part of the design and the main goal is to promote both functional and esthetic design that takes into consideration the urgent need to reduce the carbon footprint of human life. Hotel Reef will allow new marine life to thrive as well as help reestablish the bond between humans and nature.
Opal Naomi Markus Ilan
June 24, 2023
Honorable Mention
Intentions for São Paulo: Minhocão rehearsal
Through a suggested route, “Intentos por São Paulo: Ensaio Minhocão” provokes all of us, subjects who use, consume and produce the urban, to reflect on the relevance of experiences, perception and spatial apprehension of the city in everyday life. The proposal takes shape by connecting four “intentos” (interventions) along the path of the viaduct Elevado Pres. João Goulart (Minhocão), in the city center of São Paulo. Each attempt seeks to sensitize individuals by sharpening the senses of those who connect physically and visually in these spaces. The aim is to remove individuals from the state of anesthesia in the real world caused by the hypervaluation of the virtual world, using, as an artifice, human physical experiences such as sitting, feeling, smelling, living. To this end, we work with the idea of decompressing passers-by in spaces that allow them to pause and perceive the dynamics around them. Each project is carried out in a unique way and adapted to its context, emphasizing the urban layer of communication and culture through shock, mixture and experiences. That is, it generates identity and belonging through the unique memories created between the individual, the collective and the urban space. “These spatial experiences are open ended, they form a network of overlapping perspectives.” Steven Holl.
Julia Getschko
May 2, 2023
Honorable Mention
Cairo Breathing Sanctuary | A Living Pedestrian Bridge Over the Nile
The designed concept for the pedestrian bridge reimagines the futuristic landscapes as it unites the two banks of the Nile river: on one side, Egyptian Museum and on the other, Cairo Tower. The proposed design site is located in the center of Cairo, over the Nile River, connecting its banks. Due to the present development of Egypt’s administrative capital to the east of Cairo, there exists an inevitable scope for regeneration in the selected project site. The idea was to design a living pedestrian bridge over the Nile in Cairo, connecting Al-Tahrir square to Al-Zamalek, and to re-imagine the public space on the east bank of the Nile. The main objective of the living bridge is to maximize pedestrian exposure to the Nile, via stitching the urban fabric of the two banks together. The form was generated as a result of two main paths. Firstly, an unobstructed linear path directly linking the Egyptian Museum with Cairo Tower. Secondly, a semi-elliptical path was generated to embrace the two opposite banks; the Cultural Nile Plaza and the Elevated Garden. This path is meant to be pleasant, playful, and links successive attractions and socio-economic hubs. The paths incorporate together to create a single continuous leaning body blended into the land on both sides, offering panoramic views of the Cairo downtown, Nile, and the surrounding iconic attractions. Moreover, the bridge is acting as an urban park with two concealed lower floor levels above the Nile, including recreational, commercial, cultural, administrative, and social spaces. The six flowing structural columns maximize the visual connectivity between the indoor and outdoor spaces, as well as the natural ventilation and lighting. Besides, the top layer consists of concrete tiles and grass, driven parametrically based on pedestrian flow. For the sake of achieving the project objective, it is proposed to bury a 200 m stretch of road along the Nile River and build a park on top. Additionally, it is proposed to relocate the exit of the sixth of October Bridge. Accordingly, Cairo central downtown will be valued as a breathing sanctuary for people and will transform into pedestrian-friendly spaces.
Five Egyptian Architects
June 26, 2023
Honorable Mention
Building Hope
A growing number of children in Ghana are victims of trafficking, and the situation is rapidly aggravating from widening income inequality and the HIV/AIDS crisis. Affected minors from affected families are left vulnerable to kidnapping and recruiting from criminal organizations that prey on more than 200,000 minors living in the streets of Accra alone. Building Hope aims to house and empower children by providing them with the necessary tools to thrive. The project includes the construction of a network of buildings that can house, feed, provide medical and psychological attention and skill training to 140 minors in the neighborhood of La. Facilities such as large kitchens, makerspaces, art studios, and an improved soccer field will also be accessible to the community seeking integration and a strong sense of belonging to the orphaned children with the locals. The project gives minors the opportunity of being mentored and supported by locals willing to participate.
Nicolas Nefiodow Pineda
June 28, 2023
Honorable Mention
Variant Horizons
Variant horizons embed ideas of light, aperture, and horizon. Exposure to natural light aides in energy and focus as it enhances our connection to the ecosystem around us. New horizons are created within the building through a combination of solar orientation, shifting levels, and curated apertures. Light creates shifting moments across the building in response to climate conditions and time, providing flexible spatial and experiential qualities for the occupants as the sun moves through the sky. The design operates by removing the center bar of the H plan and reconfiguring the circulation of the school as a procession, with critical transparency between spaces that facilitate illumination and interaction. The central circulation becomes an anchor point for a new arrangement of classrooms that are heavily informed by sun exposure and dynamic moments of adjacency within the classroom scheme. In order to reduce embodied energy from the interventions on the building, most floor plates are to be preserved, and those that need to be relocated reuse existing materials.
Nicolas Nefiodow Pineda
March 28, 2023
Inspired? Check out these competitions
Visualization Award
Registration: Aug 24th 2025
Submission: Sep 1st 2025
Rebuild LA
Registration: Jul 16th 2025
Submission: Jul 17th 2025
Affordable Housing 2025: New York
Registration: Apr 16th 2025
Submission: Apr 22nd 2025
Nano Home
Registration: Feb 15th 2025
Submission: Feb 15th 2025
AI Architecture 2024
Registration: Jan 31st 2025
Submission: Jan 31st 2025
Visualization Award
Registration: Aug 1st 2024
Submission: Nov 1st 2024