FIRST PRIZE WINNER!
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.
Interview with the Winner
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.
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