During our interview series the judges will tell us what they are looking out for in a winning entry and why they think you should enter the WAN awards.
Sofia Hagen is an interior architect, designer and co-founder of London-based studio HagenHinderdael. Sofia focuses on the creative conception of HagenHinderdael's projects, working at the intersection of sustainable design and innovative technologies to create 3D printed sculptural products and immersive installations. Sofia trained in architectural design under the aegis of Zaha Hadid at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna, where she graduated with a Masters in Architecture in 2008, followed by a traineeship as interior designer at Odile Decq Architects, Paris.
Why should people enter the WAN awards? What are the benefits in your view?
The WAN Awards are a very high-profile platform with great exposure, and a striking array of international architects across all levels. A chance in particular for emerging architects to compete against highly accomplished, established studios and gain great visibility.
What attracted you to becoming a judge for the WAN awards?
The interesting, high calibre choice of projects to judge, learning first-hand about projects even before their completion and getting a chance to study architecture, detailing and master planning proposals I probably wouldn't have had the chance to see otherwise.
What sort of scheme would you most like to see among the entries?
I am always excited about the latest application of new technologies and materials, in particular when combined with sustainable methodologies. And there's always a surprise entry I didn't expect.
Tell us about some recent projects you're proud of:
We recently completed a landscape design project in South London for which we also designed all the bespoke 3D printed furniture and planters, made of concrete or sugar.
The 3D printed concrete Contour benches which decorate the public realm along the Lake of Constance in Austria - their fabricator Concrete3D normally works in large scale construction, applying 3D printing technology to architectural scale.
Our array of products where we experimented with the latest innovative technologies and new materials such as Cocoon, the world's first 3D printed sawdust light bound with lignin, or Kofika, made of 3D printed sugar with tiles by Novavita Design made of recycled coffee and milk packaging. They'll all be on display at the Material Matters show during London Design Festival!