Architecture competition "Sydney Affordable Housing Challenge" Honorable mention - Junyoung (Jay) Hong

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the winner of one of our Honorable mentions for the “Sydney Affordable Housing Challenge” competition - Junyoung (Jay) Hong from Korea!

Junyoung (Jay) Hong from Korea

I graduated from Holmesglen TAFE in Chadstone, Melbourne in 2015, receiving an advanced diploma of architectural building design. It was my first educational course in architecture, and allowed me to build up my basic understanding of architecture and learn to develop my thoughts and skills due to the support from the teachers and classmates. I’m grateful that I had the opportunity to take a step into a new career. I used to teach mathematics in private institutes/coaching colleges in South Korea, which is not closely related to the architectural field, but I believe that the work experience made it possible for me to develop skills for managing tight work schedules and raise the ability to think through over tasks.

Brief information about the projects that you/your company have been involved with. For instance, what scale have you focused on/preferred, any significant projects where company/ individuals have been involved?

I’m still looking for an opportunity to start my architectural career. I have been participating in architectural competitions after graduation, and I believe that those experiences were constructive in developing my ideas as well as the necessary skills. I like to challenge a variety of architectural missions so I joined different types of competitions including a small residential unit, meditation camp, spa, community space, etc. Those experiences were both fun and hard, and made me desire to work in a team or a company that I’ve been missing in the process.

What does architecture mean to you and what is the role of the architect in your society?

All around the world, I think architects and building designers are facing a high demand for the provision of both decent and affordable residential spaces. It can be a great experience to participate in the process that could create a better urban/rural environment as a member of the society. To me, designing a building/space is not only a highly complex task but also a social activity. The scale is huge, but it requires sensitivity. The architectural industry is closely related to everyday life, so it easily crosses the boundaries of different aspects of life such as politics, economy, religion, culture, history, etc., which is why I want to be a part of it.

Why do you participate in architecture vision competitions?

Being a school graduate who is looking for a job in the architectural industry, I think participating in competitions is a great way to improve my technique and have alternative experiences. I lived in an apartment in the Melbourne CBD area in my first year in Australia, and personally, that experience motivated me to join the Sydney Affordable Housing Competition. The presumed site conditions would be similar to the urban environment of Melbourne, so I wanted to tell my ideas to solve the problems that I noticed.