First Place Winner
The Cymatic Sanctum
Design by
Tania Powers & Araya Gonzalez
"The Cymatic Sanctum" seamlessly integrates technological innovation, sustainability, and sensory connection in a remarkably inventive manner. Harnessing the principles of cymatics to inform its design, the house ingeniously employs sound to dynamically mold the living space, promising a distinctive and immersive residential experience.
-Antonella Marzi
Tania Powers & Araya Gonzalez
Tania Powers, a first-generation Haitian American, and Araya Gonzalez Arraez, from Barquisimeto, Venezuela, are graduate students pursuing their Masters in Architecture at Florida International University in Miami, Florida. They share a passion for design and the creative process. Their love for architecture stems from its ability to tell stories and create spaces for people to inhabit and interact with. The more they learn about design history, the deeper their love for the built environment becomes. For them, architecture is more than a profession; it's a blend of design, engineering, and art that shapes society both literally and figuratively. Embracing architecture means embracing multidisciplinary growth and stepping out of one's comfort zone.
Celebrating Creativity & Vision
Winner’s Spotlight: An Exclusive Interview
Discover the story behind the victory — from concept to creation.
Please introduce yourself briefly and provide some insights into your background in design.
My name is Tania Powers and I’m a first generation Haitian American and my name is Araya Gonzalez Arraez, I’m from Barquisimeto, Venezuela. We’re both graduate students completing our Masters in Architecture at Florida International University in Miami, Florida. We’ve always shared a deep love for design and the process of creating. Being able to build space that not only tells a story, but also one that people can inhabit and interact with has been beyond satisfying. The more we learn about the history of design the more we fall in love with the built environment. Architecture is a profession that literally and figuratively shapes society through space. It combines our love of design, engineering, and art. Architecture is an all encompassing practice that forces you to become a multidisciplinary and step outside your comfort zone in order to grow.
Could you give us an overview of your vision for Home 2123 and the key concepts behind your design?
Building upon the innovative ethos of the 1970s Japanese architects, we sought to redefine traditional architectural paradigms by prioritizing not only sensory perception but also sustainability. Through thoughtful design choice and material selection, we ensured that the house embodied sustainability principles, minimizing its environmental impact throughout its lifecycle. Adaptability was a key tenet of our design philosophy, allowing the house to evolve with changing needs and lifestyles. The house utilizes built meant to facilitate easy modification and expansion, enabling the dwelling to adapt to diverse environmental conditions and accommodate future challenges. Addressing global concerns such as overpopulation and rising sea levels, the concept of Home 2123 extended beyond individual dwellings to encompass alternative habitats, such as floating or amphibious structures, offering a sustainable solution to urban density and environmental threats. Through this holistic approach, the Cymatic Sanctum represents a visionary blueprint for the future of residential architecture, where sustainability, adaptability, and innovation converge to create a resilient and harmonious living environment.
Home 2123 aims to explore the future of residential architecture. How did you incorporate futuristic elements, technological advancements, and environmental sustainability into your design?
In our pursuit to integrate cutting-edge technology and sustainable practices into the design of our home we made an effort to research the latest emerging studies pertaining to new building materials and technologies. The exploration of biological building materials, particularly mycelium, the root structure of fungi, shows great potential for sustainable construction. Researchers are actively investigating the use of mycelium as a building material due to its remarkable properties like lightweight, high strength, and biodegradability. Additionally, the study of cymatics, the visualisation of sound, has offered fascinating insights into how sound materialises through matter. Recent studies have shown that specific sound frequencies can influence the growth patterns and the structural integrity of mycelium. These two emerging studies open up new possibilities for sound to be used as a tool for enhancing the properties of biological building materials. By integrating these research findings into the design of our home we aim to not only push the boundaries of architectural innovation but also contribute to a more sustainable and harmonious relationship between built environments and nature.
In envisioning Home 2123, what role do advanced technologies play in enhancing the living experience? How did you integrate these technologies into your design?
The fusion of advanced sound capture systems and the study of cymatics yields a dynamic interaction between the auditory environment and the physical structure. As ambient sound frequencies are captured and translated into patterns, the façade of the house becomes a living canvas, responding in real-time to its evolving auditory landscape. This dynamic façade not only serves as a visual spectacle but also functions practically, adjusting to optimize natural light through a roofing membrane designed to expand and contract alongside daylight variations. Extensive research into the effects of sound frequency on mycelium growth in the future will allow for the creation of structural elements that dynamically evolve over time, shaping themselves to meet the constant ever changing needs of the user. These mycelium-based components not only serve structural purposes but also contribute to the aesthetic and functional aspects of the interior, seamlessly blending form and function. At night, the innovative use of bioluminescent fibers embedded within the structural material emit a soft glow, eliminating the need for additional lighting and enhancing the sensory experience of the home. In this house technology, sustainability, and adaptability converge to create a harmonious and symbiotic relationship between the built environment and its inhabitants.
Sustainability is a crucial aspect of future home design. How did you ensure that your design aligns with eco-friendly principles and addresses environmental concerns?
Mycelium offers a wealth of properties conducive to sustainable construction. Beyond structural elements, we envision a future where mycelium permeates every aspect of the home, from walls to furnishings, fostering a self-sustaining ecosystem within its walls. By harnessing the natural growth capabilities of fungi, we foresee a scenario where various food crops can be cultivated directly within the walls of the house, utilizing compost used to create the mycelium structure as a nutrient-rich substrate. This approach not only reduces dependence on external food sources but also minimizes waste and maximizes resource efficiency. Moreover, mycelium's adaptability allows for easy modification and repurposing of the home's structure over time, ensuring resilience in the face of changing needs and environmental challenges.
Home designs must adapt to changing needs and lifestyles. How did you incorporate flexibility and adaptability into your design to accommodate future changes?
At the heart of this project lies the innovative use of mycelium-based materials, renowned for their exceptional capacity to adapt and mold in response to environmental shifts. These materials not only provide a robust structural integrity but also serve as a living framework that dynamically responds to the evolving needs of its users. Whether it's the need for adjusting room layouts to accommodate changing family dynamics, expanding living spaces to address overpopulation concerns, or incorporating new functionalities to enhance comfort and convenience, the mycelium components of the house offer unparalleled flexibility to adapt to diverse scenarios. Our home anticipates and addresses environmental challenges such as sea level rise with ingenious design solutions. The buoyant growth platform enables the home to gracefully navigate potential floodwaters, ensuring the safety and security of its occupants in the face of changing coastal landscapes. As overpopulation and sea level rise continue to exert pressure on living spaces, our house offers a versatile and scalable architecture that can seamlessly grow and evolve alongside its inhabitants.
The concept of home extends beyond individual dwellings to encompass communities. How does your design foster community interaction and well-being?
The generative properties of the house facilitate the creation of community-based environments deeply intertwined with their exterior surroundings. With a form that's fluid and adaptable, the house can dynamically respond to the community's housing needs, offering diverse options that accommodate various family sizes and lifestyles, thus promoting inclusivity. Its fluid and at times transparent membrane fosters a seamless connection to nature through panoramic views and ample natural light. By embracing fluidity, transparency, and connectivity, the Sanctum becomes a vibrant nexus where residents can forge meaningful connections with each other and their environment.
As we progress into the 22nd century, how do you envision the evolution of residential architecture? What role does Home 2123 play in shaping this future?
Moving away from traditional suburban models, the future landscape of residential design will favor mixed-use communities that blend living, working, and recreational spaces, encouraging walkability and social interaction. Embracing modular building techniques, these future homes will offer enhanced flexibility and efficiency, allowing for rapid adaptation to changing needs and technological advancements. A significant pivot towards bio matter-based materials will see the rise of eco-friendly constructions that reduce environmental impact while offering new aesthetic possibilities. Central to this architectural evolution is climate resilience; homes will be designed to be self-reliant and energy-efficient, incorporating renewable energy sources and sustainable water management systems to withstand the escalating challenges posed by climate change. Home2123 is not just a concept for the future of residential architecture; it's a fertile ground where the seeds of innovation, sustainability, and community-centric design are being sown. By reimagining the essence of home and community, it offers a canvas for architects of the future to explore the boundaries of what residential spaces could be.
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