We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the winners of the Honorable mention of our “Adelaide Creative Community Hub” competition - Srur Alakari, Mohamed Stifador and Reem Ownis from Libyan Arab Jamahiriya!

Srur Alakari, Mohamed Stifador and Reem Ownis from Libyan Arab Jamahiriya

In the summer of 2016 Deraz Design & Build was founded by six young Libyan Architects in the capital city of Tripoli.

Deraz Corner is an extension to Deraz Design & Build. The corner hosts workshops, lecture series,and is a open space for artist, young solo professionals and students to come and exchange ideas and innovations.

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

Since the February 2011 revolution that ousted Libya's former dictatorship, Libyans have been struggling with the challenge of building a new country. The ongoing conflict and instability in Libya endangers the country's cultural heritage of prehistoric UNESCO world heritage sites. Libya's architectural heritage is under huge threat because of deliberate destruction by religious extremists and vandals. Young Libyan architects face the challenge of preserving and protecting the old, while have been given the responsibility of creating the new, as they try to define Libya's post dictatorship architectural identity.

Why do you participate in architecture vision competitions?

As Libyan architecture students and professionals are resources that are limited, opportunities are little and our obstacles are many. Our most innovative ideas become reserved for visions and never a reality. Designing for a city outside Libya is an amazing chance to rethink and revision of our own spaces. Our time working on the Adelaide Creative Community Hub arose interesting and critical conversations about our own public spaces here in Libya. Participating in vision competitions allowed us to address social and urban issues with our creativity and inventiveness of architecture.

What advice would you give to individuals who struggle to decide whether it would be beneficial for them to participate in architecture vision competitions?

The architectural freedom in competitions give us the opportunities to reimagine our cities. Architectural imagination is an exciting way to vision future spatial possibilities.

Top 3 Reasons Why You Should Enter Architecture Competitions

Curious about the value of architecture competitions? Discover the transformative power they can have on your career - from igniting creativity and turning designs into reality, to gaining international recognition.

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