DI: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?
NCDSVT : The “Awakening Immersive Experience” was born from a desire to create a deep connection between architecture, nature, and human perception. The inspiration came from the Amazon rainforest — not just as a setting, but as a living entity that symbolizes balance, ancestry, and resilience. The project proposes a sensory immersion within the forest, where every architectural element is designed to provoke awareness, contemplation, and presence. The core principle behind the design is respect: for nature, for the body, and for time. It is an architecture that steps back to let the environment speak louder.
DI: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?
NCDSVT : My main focus was to create a deeply sensory experience, where the visitor could disconnect from the urban mindset and reconnect with the essential — the sounds of nature, the rhythm of their own body, and a slower perception of time. I wanted to design a space for pause, silence, and introspection, where architecture does not impose itself but instead dissolves into the surroundings. More than just a physical space, the goal was to create a transformative experience — a kind of inner "awakening" guided by nature and architecture.
DI: What are your future plans for this award winning design?
NCDSVT : The “Awakening Immersive Experience” was conceived as a conceptual project, designed to provoke reflection on the relationship between humans and nature. It was not initially intended for construction, but rather as a symbolic and sensory architectural narrative. My plan is to use it as a tool for awareness — through exhibitions, publications, or digital experiences — to inspire conversations about sustainability, ancestry, and reconnection with what truly matters. I believe in the power of concept as a form of impact.
DI: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?
NCDSVT : As a conceptual project, the process was both intense and thoughtful. I spent around three months working on research, narrative development, spatial definition, and graphic representation. I devoted time to symbolic immersion, the study of natural materials, and the balance between form and emotion. It was not a rushed design — it required maturation, silence, and deep listening. Every decision was made to evoke feeling and provoke reflection, making the process more emotional than technical.
DI: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?
NCDSVT : The “Awakening” project was born from personal inspiration, not an external commission. I have always been deeply interested in exploring the relationship between humans and nature, and the idea of an immersive sensory experience emerged as a way to reflect on how architecture can foster this connection. The inspiration came from the Amazon and the desire to create a space that was more than just a physical environment — a space that was a transformative experience. I believe the best projects come from curiosity and the need to explore something beyond the expected, and "Awakening" is the realization of that pursuit.
DI: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?
NCDSVT : The “Awakening” project is a concept, and as such, it has not been physically produced yet. I don’t have immediate plans to produce the project myself, but I see the concept being shared in exhibitions and other platforms that can convey the immersive sensory experience. The goal is to share the proposal with the world, whether through temporary installations, videos, or digital experiences, to provoke reflection and foster discussions about the impact of architecture on the environment and our relationship with it. If production partnerships arise, I would be open to exploring those possibilities.
DI: What made you design this particular type of work?
NCDSVT : My motivation for creating “Awakening” came from my own search for reconnection with nature. Every time I’m at the beach, for example, I feel recharged, and that’s something I can’t find anywhere else — just the wind and the sound of the sea are enough to renew me. The desire to convey this sensory experience and simplicity led me to design a project that would be an immersion, a pause from the fast-paced rhythm of daily life. I wanted to create a space that was more than just physical, one that would provoke an emotional awakening, reflecting our need to slow down and live in deeper connection with the environment around us.
DI: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?
NCDSVT : For the “Awakening” project, the main influence was Frank Lloyd Wright. His architecture, which seeks to integrate and contemplate nature, was essential for the concept of the project. He believed that architecture should not only coexist with nature but be made to contemplate it, creating spaces that allow for a deep connection with the surrounding environment. In “Awakening,” this philosophy is expressed by creating a space where nature takes center stage — the architecture serves as a means for the user to immerse themselves and reflect on the natural environment, without interfering or competing with it.
DI: Who is the target customer for his design?
NCDSVT : The target audience for the “Awakening” project consists of people from cities that never sleep, with fast-paced, hectic routines, who seek a moment to reconnect with the beginning of it all. These are individuals who yearn for a refuge of introspection, where they can slow down, reflect, and remember the essence of life, far from the daily hustle. This project is aimed at those who wish to experience a sense of purity and a simple connection with the natural environment, away from the pressures of the modern world.
DI: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?
NCDSVT : What sets “Awakening” apart is its concept of total sensory immersion, where the architecture does not impose itself on the environment, but instead dissolves into it. Unlike projects that focus on creating artificial or purely aesthetic spaces, “Awakening” aims for a deeper experience, where every element — light, materials, shapes — is designed to evoke a genuine emotional response. Furthermore, the emphasis on the use of natural materials and the reconnection with nature in a world that is increasingly technological and urban makes the project unique. It is not just a space, but an invitation to reflection and inner awakening.
DI: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?
NCDSVT : The name “Awakening” came about as a direct representation of what the project aims to offer: a sensory and emotional awakening. It symbolizes the journey of reconnecting with nature and with oneself, something often lost in the hustle and bustle of daily life. The name also carries an idea of renewal and transformation — of stepping out of routine and opening one’s eyes to a new understanding of the environment, life, and oneself. It’s an invitation to reflection and introspection, something that goes beyond the physical experience of space.
DI: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?
NCDSVT : To develop the “Awakening” project, I primarily used SketchUp for modeling and V-Ray for 3D rendering, which allowed me to visualize and refine the project’s atmospheres. AutoCAD was used for technical drawings, and Photoshop for image editing and presentations. In addition to these digital tools, I conducted thorough research on natural materials, that could reflect the essence of the project and its connection to nature. The research was essential to ensure the concept was translated faithfully and sensorially.
DI: What is the most unique aspect of your design?
NCDSVT : The most unique aspect of the “Awakening” project is how the architecture dissolves into the natural environment. Instead of competing with nature, the design subtly integrates, creating a profound sensory experience. Every element was crafted to evoke an emotional response, whether through the natural light that flows into the space, the use of organic materials, or the way the environment reflects the dynamic between human presence and its surroundings. The concept of creating a space for introspection, where architecture serves as a means for the user to connect with nature, is what makes the project truly unique.
DI: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?
NCDSVT : The “Awakening” project was developed entirely independently, without collaboration with other professionals. The design, concept, and all the details were thought out and executed solely by me, without technical or specialized support from third parties. The choice of materials and the way the architecture interacts with the natural environment were approached intuitively and personally, without the involvement of consultants or engineers.
DI: What is the role of technology in this particular design?
NCDSVT : Technology played a crucial role in the development of the “Awakening” project. It was essential for visualizing the concept, particularly through the use of 3D modeling and realistic renderings, which allowed me to refine the project's aesthetics and atmosphere. Tools like SketchUp, V-Ray, and AutoCAD were key to communicating the proposed sensory experience, as well as ensuring that the technical details aligned with the original vision. Technology was also used in the research of sustainable materials and in analyzing how natural elements could be efficiently integrated into the design. While the concept is fundamentally sensory and conceptual, technology helped bring it to life in a more tangible way.
DI: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?
NCDSVT : Although the “Awakening” project is primarily conceptual and sensory, it was influenced by research that involved both qualitative and quantitative data about how people interact with natural environments and immersive spaces. I conducted an analysis of human behavior in natural spaces, observing how light, materials, and proximity to nature affect well-being and emotional perception. Additionally, I studied examples of sustainable projects that use natural materials and construction techniques that promote harmony with the environment. The research was essential to ensure that the project was not only aesthetically impactful but also effective and aligned with the human need for connection with nature.
DI: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?
NCDSVT : The biggest challenge of the project was precisely translating a sensory concept into a design that could be visualized and understood. As it is a conceptual and immersive project, balancing the subjectivity of the sensory experience with the need for technical precision and clear communication of the proposal was difficult. Another challenge was choosing materials that were sustainable and environmentally responsible, without compromising beauty and connection to nature. The research and experimentation of how different materials and textures interact with each other and with light were also crucial and challenging parts of the process. Finally, designing a space that was both introspective and functional required constant refinement and adjustments.
DI: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?
NCDSVT : I decided to submit the “Awakening” project to an international design competition to share the proposal and the impact it can have on the world. I believe international competitions are an excellent opportunity to put innovative projects to the test, gain recognition, and contribute to a global conversation about sustainable and sensory design. Additionally, this exposure helps connect my work with a broader audience, composed of professionals and experts who may be inspired by this concept. Participating in such a prestigious competition also strengthens the project's credibility and allows me to be part of a movement of innovation in design.
DI: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?
NCDSVT : During the development of the “Awakening” project, I learned to make space for intuition in the creative process, allowing the concept to evolve more organically and fluidly. I improved my ability to work with abstraction, as the project wasn’t physical, but an emotional and sensory experience. This made me understand the importance of translating feelings into form and space in a more sensitive and less technical way. I also deepened my research on sustainability, always aiming to align the concept with the choice of materials that respect the environment while creating a genuine connection with nature.
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
NCDSVT : I would like to emphasize that the “Awakening” project is not just an architectural proposal, but a reflection on the role of architecture in times of climate change and the intensification of urban life. It aims to demonstrate how architecture can be an instrument of awareness and slowing down. I believe design should not only meet practical needs but also provoke an emotional impact, encouraging a new way of experiencing space and time. This project is an attempt to use architecture as a form of consciousness and personal transformation.
