Accelerating Innovation through Competitions

James Solly

James is a director at Format Engineers and tutor on the AA’s Design + Make programme.

"I have very much enjoyed playing with the parametric tool for this entry. The combination of allowable variables gives well-constrained freedom, letting me generate forms of my own that are clearly within the intent of the original designer. It's also one of the few entries where the method of fabrication is clear, well-presented and with an understandable scale. The fabricated objects shown on the page are very beautiful and i enjoy the underlying mathematics."

Mohammed Mansoor

Lead Designer at Rafael Viñoly Architects with Global Experience | Graduated from Cornell | Ex-SANAA | Ex - RAMSA

"This project is exceptionally well-conceived, from its conceptual foundation to feasibility and impact. However, the extent of the cantilever feels somewhat far-fetched given the current structural strategy. I would suggest exploring alternative support systems that achieve the desired architectural expression while maintaining structural efficiency."

Erwin Redl

Erwin Redl’s work is informed by conceptual-structural thinking and profound craftsmanship in electronic and traditional media.

"This is very well thought out project from idea to feasibility and impact. The only additional idea worth exploring would be that instead of the thin steel poles supporting the roof see if it is possible to utilize a tensegrity structure on top of the roof to support the entire span of the cantilevered structure. The steel poles feel a bit alien to the organic elegance of the bamboo pavilion."

Chris Bullen

Specializing in advanced visualization services, production tools, and instruction for Architecture and Interior Design.

"This is a well executed design taking into account the fabrication and look of the final product. The only concern is from a health standpoint and if any leaching or microplastic concerns arise from using the product. It would also be nice to have a flat bottom option, especially for cupcake size moulds."

Gediminas Kirdeikis

Architect, Lecturer, Online Content Creator

"For this to be made out of paper - each stripe needs to be a developable surface (meaning - capable of unrolling into a flat sheet) , which is an additional restriction that should be followed during the design process."

Michael Morris

Partner, SEArch+, New York, USA

"Fantastic Project...visionary proposal for a dynamic and modular community in space."

Yimeng T

"This is a very powerful project which brings light to the center of the stage to benefit the reading experiences of the public."

Julia King

@j.king7 Research Fellow at LSE Cities and Unit Tutor at Architectural Association, London, UK

"Very beautiful building carefully considering how architecture can make the workplace safer. However, there was a slight disconnect with the brief as the notion of protest was left underexplored."

Elena Sacco

Associate architect, DAP studio, Italy

"Good organization of buildings and open spaces because the central path is like an "open room" in which to walk or stop. The architecture is very interesting and well represented"

Alice Gardini

Founder, GGA gardini gibertini architects, Italy

"Il progetto è buono nel complesso, la particolare semplicità dell'impianto generale suggerisce un ulteriore approfondimento/arricchimento dell'aspetto architettonico e distributivo."

Juan Cuevas Duran

Architect. Founder, Estudio Cavernas, Thailand

"The proposal insists on its sustainable qualities, but in my opinion, the solutions offered don't respond to the context. The fact that it's a temporary place to live interferes with the idea of assigning jobs to migrants that know that there could leave literally at any moment. Even though its an interesting idea, offering temporary occupations and training requires a logistics network which would be difficult to implement."

Ahmad Sukkar

PhD-MRes (London); MArch (AA); Assistant Professor, University of Sharjah (AED-CFAD)

"Great conceptually pixelated project - absorbing architecturally into the computer screen!!"

"- I particularly like how the design has been compartmentalised to make the use of the spaces more dynamic. - the structure that forms the central part of the design also have a high degree of flexibility in terms of its use-ability. - the simple approach to recycling water for agricultural is a great way to go to make the scheme sustainable."

Mohamed Al Assam

Founder and Executive Chairman, Dewan Architects + Engineers, Dubai, UAE

"Good clustering approach for the accommodation units and well treated common public areas in between, with clear references to traditional patterns. Stacking of sleeping beds on two levels, is questionable, as well as the vertical circulation in the units. The proposal could be successfully developed for and extended use beyond the holy hajj period"

Yuriko Yagi

Co-founder, Architect, PAN-PROJECTS, UK

"The architecture is beautifully put together and the presentation is clear and easy to understand. However, the city plan used as a reference is clear to the ordinary people, but I don't think it's the best solution for blind children."

Rui Palha

Administrator, Rui Palha Photography, Portugal

"The first photograph it's the only one satisfactory, well composed and a nice nocturnal atmosphere. I can't "feel" a story with this set of photographs"

James Law

Founder, Chairman & CEO, James Law Cybertecture, HK

"Strange space planning...but could be the start of a more complex and bigger structure."

Kazumasa Takada

Co-founder, Architect, PAN-PROJECTS, UK

"It's an interesting idea to recreate the existing class room with simple playful box furnitures. This idea can be implemented any existing box like class rooms that we can see anywhere across the globe. I wished the architects of this project paid more attention on the actual design of those modular units as that's the most important point of this project. Looking forward to seeing the developed version of this proposal."

Walaiporn NAKAPAN

Architect/Computational Designer

"Very nice! I like projects with meanings. This one is inspired by a Viking boat - good reference for Denmark."

Pinar Dinc Kalayci

Professor & Dr, Studio Thinkimagine, Gazi University, Turkey

"Very suitable design for industrial (+heritage) zones of cities."

Cristina Verissimo

Office partner, CVDB Arquitectos, Lda, Portugal

"A strong concept with a unique set of communication tools. Well done."

Etan Kimmel

Co-Founder, Kimmel Eshkolot Architects

"the rigid form of the plan becomes problematic to solve nicely the free innovative way that the vauts were designed could have been a triger for the entire plan of the school"

Riet Eeckhout

Post Doctoral Research position at University of Leuven (Belgium)

"There are ideas present about ways of living, illustrated with quotations of others and some basic illustrations. Not much is graspable of the intrinsic connection to the forest. The house' architecture is rather removed from the forest, as is the quest for a new wood. There is something intriguing about the master plan layout as a trajectory. It would have been nice to understand what this looks like and how these spaces can be experienced."

Dipen Gada

Principal Designer, DIPEN GADA AND ASSOCIATES, India

"At first glance this simple looking design is having much depth thought process. It is answer to many aspects and such modules can be adopted at many such pilgrim places. it is giving good flexibility as well. The idea and concept is good, but requires a lot technical study to achieve the best result. I am really happy with the common gathering space which is been carved out in the center where multi fold activities can be carried away. Individual sleeping pods seems little cramp in the situation of Covid 19. That needs to be resolved."

Sofie Eggemont

Architect / Partner, Abscis Architecten, Belgium

"The activity is limited to cars and offices in the future. I think there's a huge opportunity to fill in this concept with other activities specific to cities. Shelters for homeless people, ecological (animal) farming, greenery, schools, ..."

Belén Butragueño

Director / Assistant Professor at ETSAM, UPM

"Very interesting graphics. The project addresses the program in depth and has a powerful concept."

Kazuma Yamao

Founding Partner, Waiwai, Japan

"The appearance is beautiful and well designed as the architecture. However, as the competition criteria is towards for the social issue of Japanese society in relation with the Olympic game, it requires some new concept for those points."

Gabriel Askenazi

Partner, Sulkin Askenazi, Mexico

"The design is amazing. The way the public roof garden connects with the landscape is fantastic. The organic building shape gives the interior a sophisticated look. The lighting systems gives life to the interior. I found the retractable panels for privacy a great idea. This school breaks the paradigms of how a school should function. The landscape suits the building perfectly."

Jonas Prismontas

Director, Boano Prišmontas, United Kingdom

"Great that the project designer thinks of using local materials and low impact solutions for this memorial."