Winners of the 2020 Laka Competition interpret “Architecture that Reacts”

The always popular Laka Competition continues to grow, with the 2020 edition attracting entries from some 350 participants in 40 countries (Not to mention that it's been in Bustler's Top 10 competitions of the year). The annual competition challenges architects, designers, and students to submit their most inventive ideas of “Architecture that Reacts”, meaning architectural, design, or technological solutions that are capable of dynamic interaction with their surroundings.

Out of 200 eligible entries, the esteemed jury selected a 2020 Winner of the Year, along with laureates for the Gold Prize, Silver Prize, and Bronze Prize. Ten Honorable Mentions were also selected.

Winner for the year 2020: The Ark
Authors: Safia Dziri, Megan Stenftenagel, Matt Turlock, with the participation of Emiel Cockx | USA

Project summary: “Rising ocean levels and the near-ubiquitous response across design fields to solve this issue with an intervention to the urban fabric introduces a unique and topical design space. Should architecture combat or greet rising waters? Is flooding a disaster or source of beauty? Is waterfront property abandoned, or clad in durable materials? Ark proposes a reactive architecture that attempts to preserve urban fabrics at risk of flooding while simultaneously expanding and exciting existing spaces.”

Gold Prize Laureate: Glacier Metamorphosis
Author: Aasish Janardhanan | Italy

“Though the earth is always changing, the current speed of change is unprecedented and problematic.  The drastic shreds of evidence in the high-altitude areas especially in the Alps give a clear definition of climate change and its impacts. Reduction in snow cover at lower altitudes, receding glaciers, melting permafrost extreme change in temperature and precipitation are the ways by which Alps proves the impact.”

Silver Prize Laureate: Church of the Otakus
Author: Zhiyi Chen | USA/China

“Based on Post-secularism, the project intends to raise the awareness of the ongoing social phenomenon and its reflection upon architectural discipline. It foresees a future scenario in which religion and the banal world are synthetically combined, and actively involves public interaction in the physical space. “

Bronze Prize Laureate: The Desalination Generation
Author: Joseph Shenton | UK

 “(...) Due to the inaction of developed global communities, those most vulnerable will likely have to accept this sea level rise and have to adapt to the oncoming changes to farmland and coastal urban communities. The majority of land under threat is located throughout developing countries across Asia, where chronic flooding is set to affect areas that contain 10% of their populations. Without adapting, these communities will likely become climate refugees.”

Don't forget the Honorable Mentions in the gallery below! You can find more info about the winning entries here.