FIRST PRIZE WINNER!
Jennifer Zhu, Bernadette Galingan
Canada
My name is Jia Yi Jennifer Zhu and I am currently going into my 3rd undergraduate year of architectural science at Toronto Metropolitan University in Toronto, Canada.
My name is Bernadette Galingan, an undergraduate student studying architectural science at Toronto Metropolitan University. Currently, I am working to achieve my bachelor’s degree, with an interest in both architecture and building science streams. I am eager to continue my learning journey to develop my technical skills, including design, communication, and computer literacy. My hope is to apply my collective knowledge and refined skills with confidence to create a meaningful impact within this field of practice.
Interview with the Winner
When and how you were first introduced to architecture?
Jennifer Zhu
Growing up I had always taken an interest in art and design as it was all around me. Motivated by my interest, I took an exploring technologies course when I first started high school. It led me to take technological design courses that were architecturally focused, sparking my curiosity of how great spaces are designed.
Bernadette Galingan
I was first formally introduced to the architecture field in my first year of university at the architectural science program. This was where my initial understanding and idea of architecture was broadened to the much more complex and intricate topics which it encompasses. Although, in terms of my first experience where I truly began to observe and become interested in architecture was in my childhood when I visited local churches and became encapsulated by their extravagance and detail.
What is your design philosophy?
Jennifer Zhu
I believe that the design of a space reflects the designer’s ability to empathize with the future occupants and address challenges. The design solutions should be conscious of the user experience and the impact on the existing context and environment.
Bernadette Galingan
My design philosophy is based upon evoking emotion through the creation of atmosphere, which is experienced by observing, entering, and moving through a space; thus, giving it meaning.
What does architecture mean to you?
Jennifer Zhu
Architecture for me is a problem solving tool in the built environment that responds to spatial needs of groups and individuals. It expresses cultural context and beauty through spaces while addressing functionality and comfortability. I think as stewards of the earth, architecture has an important role in shaping the impact of the built environment on the natural environment and social issues as well.
Bernadette Galingan
For me, architecture is an expression of ideas and intentions in the form of space and volume, with deep consideration towards the human experience.
Briefly explain your design process and your perspective on sensory architecture.
Jennifer Zhu
Analyzing the music and connecting the emotions felt to familiar architectural themes and elements helped me solidify a design intention. The intention guided the entire design process of the project from materiality to form. My partner and I also wanted to include sustainable features to our design that connects with the music to further explore the aural aspect with architecture.
I think that architecture has always been a sensory experience whether or not it is consciously designed with sensory in mind. Sound, touch and smell have always affected the user's experience of a space. There are different emotions felt in a quiet, musky, cozy space from a loud, anosmic, large space. For me, sound and smell can evoke emotional memories and all in all are prominent aspects of my experience of a space. Realizing this, I intend on being more considerate of the variety of non-visual senses, further exploring the roles senses play in the built environment.
Bernadette Galingan
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