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An interview with Architect Fran Silvestre of Fran Silvestre Arquitectos - The Jury of Tiny House 2024 Architecture Competition

Interview

We would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to our jury member of the Tiny House 2024 Architecture Competition.

We’re delighted to speak with "Fran Silvestre", director at "Fran Silvestre Arquitectos". He is a Doctor of Architecture, graduated with honors from the UPV, and received the same distinction in his urban planning degree from TU/e in the Netherlands. He holds a Magna Cum Laude doctorate in design from UPV. Currently, he is a professor in the Department of Projects at UPV and the European University, and leads the M. Arch Postgraduate School in Architecture and Design.

He has received awards such as the 2001 Caja de Arquitectos Foundation Prize, the 2010 COACV Architects’ Association Prize. In 2012, he was chosen by the Ministry of Culture and Sport as the ambassador of Spanish Architecture in the United States with the Spain Arts and Culture program. He won the Red Dot Design Award in 2013, the same year he received the Best Architect of the Valencian Community award at IVAM Modern Art Institute. In 2015, he won the Build Architectural Award in the United Kingdom.

His studio, Fran Silvestre Arquitectos, was founded in 2005. Based in Valencia, it operates in the former workshop of sculptor Andreu Alfaro, a 7000 m2 space where a multidisciplinary team of over 50 professionals works on residential, cultural, corporate, and public projects worldwide.

We're excited to speak with him about his perspective on the field of architecture and his expectations from the participants of the Tiny House 2024 Architecture Competition. For the purpose of this interview, he would be referred to as "FS" in responses, however, Volume Zero is referred to as "VZ".

Piera House

FS- What are some of your favorite projects/projects that you worked on? (What were the most exciting parts about it)

VZ- We always bet on valuing each project as if it were the first, the last and the only one. In our professional career, very diverse types of building are collected. There are new works, rehabilitations, reforms, block housing, public buildings... Works carried out with high budgets and others with reduced budgets, but in all cases great attention has been paid to the economy, without waste. Architecture can be small in its greatness or large in its smallness, if each commission is understood as an opportunity to materialize a good project.

Perhaps our most important project is our own architecture and design studio and the people around it.

FS- What has been your most challenging project? (What were the challenges faced with topography, local climate, structure, clients, people, etc.)

VZ- Actually, all of them are challenging. Right now, there is one in particular that keeps us both excited and focused. Located at 262 Fifth Avenue in New York, this 270-meter-high project redefines the concept of elevated living, transforming it into a house in the sky and maximizing the connection with the city's skyline.

House on the Cliff

FS- What would be your word of advice for all the young budding students and architects who are looking to make a mark in this professional world?

VZ- I would tell them to focus on finding and developing what they excel at. To seek inspiration, but always adapt and reflect their own ideas and perspectives. Being authentic is crucial because the world is already full of ideas; what can truly make an architect stand out is their ability to offer something unique.

Aluminum House

FS- What are you expecting from the proposal and the participants for the Tiny House 2024? Example: Concept, Spatial Design, Site-Selection, Functionality

VZ- From the proposal and participants for the Tiny House 2024, I am expecting innovative and thoughtful concepts that push the boundaries of small-scale living. I want to see creative spatial design solutions that maximize the use of limited space without sacrificing comfort or functionality. Ultimately, I am looking for a proposal that balances aesthetics, sustainability, and practicality, showcasing the ability to create a space that is both beautiful and highly functional.

La Pinada House

FS- Is there any aspect of the brief that appeals to you the most or do you find it the most challenging? Example: Area restriction, Spatial Adaptability, Functionality, and The overall experience of a Tiny House.

VZ- The aspect of the brief that I find the most challenging is the area restriction. Designing within a limited space requires a meticulous approach and a high level of creativity to ensure that every square meter is functional, aesthetically pleasing, and comfortable. The challenge of maximizing a small area encourages us to think outside the box, utilize multifunctional spaces, and integrate clever design elements that enhance spatial adaptability and overall functionality. I am sure that, despite the constraints, unique and imaginative ideas will emerge, showcasing how thoughtful design can transform limited space into an exceptional living experience.

FS- Explain your perspective when designing a Tiny House in today's day & age. Example: How would you approach this?

VZ- When designing a Tiny House in today's age, I believe that technology plays a crucial role in solving space-related challenges. Additionally, advancements in materials and sustainable technologies provide new opportunities for lightweight and space-saving.