First Prize Winner - Unesco Ancient Theatre TerraViva Design Competition

Date November 2025

Location Ohrid, North Macedonia

Congratulations to our BSSc students, Chu Ching Lam (Jen), Chiu Lok Yin, Wan Hoi Wah, Tsz Wai Fu (Riley), Kwan Ho Chi (Ben) — a team of recent graduates and a Year 4 student — for winning the 1st Prize in the UNESCO Ancient Theatre Terraviva International Design Competition.

Overview

Ohrid, a dual UNESCO World Heritage site, stands at the intersection of cultural depth and natural beauty. The project draws inspiration from vernacular Ohrid architecture, abstracting its construction logic to inform proportion, layering, and tectonic expression. Framed views of the city and Lake Ohrid preserve the site’s visual and emotional continuity. The intervention replaces makeshift additions with a coherent architectural strategy that revitalizes the ancient theatre as a living civic space—supporting both daily community use and contemporary cultural events. Historic structures and new insertions are composed in dialogue, maintaining alignment with the geometric integrity of the amphitheatre.

Jury Comments

“The project successfully translates the site’s multiple values into a coherent whole that integrates with its context while maintaining uniqueness. By framing the stage, digging the ground for new uses, and thoughtfully reusing traditional elements, it creates a new entity that may seem simple at first glance, yet embodies a deep and nuanced interpretative vision.”

— Elisa Donini, Università La Sapienza

“This project achieves maximum impact through minimal intervention, demonstrating deep respect for the existing historical build-up. It maintains the essence of the original structure while reimagining the theater’s program with clarity and sensitivity, bridging heritage and contemporary use.”

— Tianjian Li, Grimshaw Architects

Congratulations to these young architects!

To learn more about their exciting journey and details, we interviewed the team for exclusive stories.

1. Can you share what inspired your project and the creative process behind it, as well as the relationships within your team? Were all members from the same studio, and who is your tutor?

After completing our Semester 2 studio, we wanted to continue designing together and came across this fascinating brief from Terraviva — revitalising an ancient theatre in a UNESCO heritage city. It was not something we usually encountered in school, so we were immediately drawn to the challenge.

The five of us have known each other for years through studio and coursework. Sometimes we were in the same studio section, and other times we formed groups across different courses. So naturally, there was already trust and communication between us.

Our tutors during Year 4 were Mr. Kelly Chow, Ms. Ioana Pricop, Mr. Ricky Suen, Prof. Mo Kar Him, Prof. Nicola Saladino, Prof. Chen Chen, and Prof. Cai Jiaxiu — all of whom influenced our design thinking in different ways.

2. The competition called for a blend of historical preservation and contemporary design. How did your team approach this challenge, and what messages do you think your project conveys about the Ancient Theatre of Ohrid?

We wanted to respect the site, the city’s history, and its people while reintroducing the theatre into daily life so it could truly “live” again. The view of the lake was breathtaking, and we knew our design must preserve that experience. Our approach was deliberately modest — we aimed for subtlety, not showiness.

We drew inspiration from Ohrid’s vernacular architecture, as well as from the form, history, and transformation of the ancient theatre itself. Through constant refinement and dialogue, we shaped an intervention that blends softly with its surroundings. For us, this project proves that sometimes less really is more.

3. When did you decide to join this competition? What motivated you to participate despite your academic commitments?

We joined around the end of semester, while the design energy was still fresh. Having taken part in competitions before, we knew how rewarding the process could be. We genuinely enjoy designing together and pushing ideas beyond academic boundaries.

Even with busy schedules, the excitement of exploring real-world contexts kept us going. Nothing compares to the sense of achievement after such intense and collaborative work — it truly strengthened our team spirit.

4. Collaboration is key in any group project. Can you discuss your team dynamics and what role each member played in bringing your vision to life?

Teamwork was central to our success. One member took on the practical role of coordinating deadlines and meetings, so everyone stayed aligned. Some of us were stronger in concept development, while others led visualizations or technical drawings.

We made important decisions collectively. When opinions differed, we focused on mediation and dialogue instead of rushing. Because we allowed enough time for discussion, every voice was heard and reflected in the final design. For visual output, we divided tasks — from modeling and rendering to producing line drawings and diagrams — so everything came together cohesively.

5. Now that you’ve achieved this prestigious recognition, what impact do you hope this accomplishment will have on your future career? How does it feel to see your hard work acknowledged on such a significant platform?

Winning this competition is a milestone for all of us. Of course, it will be an important addition to our portfolios, but more than that, it symbolizes teamwork, passion, and shared growth.

We’re grateful that the jury understood our design intention — creating minimal intervention with maximum impact. That philosophy will perhaps stay with us, shaping how we approach architecture in the future.

6. What specific details can you share about your winning project? Additionally, what advice would you give to future students entering similar competitions, and what valuable lessons did you learn throughout this experience?

OVERTURE reimagines the ancient theatre as both a stage and a public platform — a space where the rhythms of contemporary life meet echoes of the past. Our intervention focuses on framing views, enhancing accessibility, and reintroducing human scale without overpowering the historic structure.

For future participants, our biggest advice is to give enough time for reflection. It’s easy to over-design, but true refinement comes from careful restraint. Discuss openly, respect each other’s opinions, and enjoy the process — competitions are not just about winning, but about exploring new ways of thinking together.

Interview with our students team

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