Desco Hosts Architecture Grad Projects Competition in the Metaverse

There’s a couple of reasons why architecture is one of the most difficult fields of study and work. Ask its students about the backbreaking nights and the flesh lost while putting together models and they’ll give you endless examples. It all culminates in one moment: the graduation jury. But although architecture students dedicate their blood, sweat and tears to their graduation projects, the fruit of their labour often ends up collecting dust on some faculty shelf - an anticlimactic end to a gruelling venture. That, however, is about to change…

Desco, an online design platform that utilises Web 3.0 and the Metaverse to build virtual communities, has launched the first architecture graduation projects competition in the Metaverse, with a jury featuring renowned Egyptian and international designers and a slew of design and visualisation firms offering internships for the winners, as well as a total of up to EGP 20,000 in awards.

“Every year, architecture students present their graduation projects to a group of professors and some friends, then everyone forgets about it,” Hazem Gouda, co-founder of Desco, tells SceneHome. “This competition aims to showcase their abilities and bridge the gap between young architects and household firms in Egypt’s design industry.”

The competition jury includes Mariana Cabuguira, Former Architect Director at Wilder World and Senior Architect at Zaha hadid Architects, Ahmed Hussein Founder of Ahmed Hussein Designs, Mona Hussein, Founder of Mona Hussein Design House, Mohamed Badie, Founder of Badie Architects and Sawsan Mourad, Editor-in-Chief of Elbeit Magazine.

Aside from supporting applicants by providing feedback on their projects, the jurors come with their own personal tie to the competition, as it resonates with the once freshly graduated young architect within them.

“Your marks don’t mean anything. We’re in a profession where everything is visual. Portfolios are flicked through by people trying to understand what’s in your mind while designing. You need something that does justice to who you are,” Mariana Cabuguira says, recalling her own journey as an architect before she established her eponymous studio.

“I look at the concept and presentation, everything else in the middle can be sorted out. Those have to do with experience and self-improvement, but for a graduation project, it's the concept and presentation,” Ahmed Hussein, a juror who’s offering an internship says. “I wish a competition like this happened during my student days. I would’ve loved to showcase my graduation project to the world, get exposure, criticism and feedback. This is a brilliant experience for students, aside from the traditional graduation jury.”

Several design and visualisation firms have joined the competition offering a total of seven internship opportunities to the winners, including Mona Hussein Design House, Ahmed Hussein Designs, Badie Architects as well as Design Sector, Studio M6 and Nara Studios. The founders behind these firms have shared what they’re looking for in an intern, and they’ve mostly agreed that personality comes above all.

“Personal qualities are more important than software and technical skills, their attitude to learn and develop is paramount,” Mohab Bedier, Founder of Studio M6, says.

These sentimentions are shared by Mona Hussein, Founder of Mona Hussein Design House, who asks, “Does that person want to learn? Has a passion for life and is genuine in their work?”

Displaying passion is a common point of attraction among established designers looking for interns. “Some things can’t be taught, like taking risks and feeling a rush of wanting to change how things are done,” Mohamed Tosson, Co-Founder of Nara Studios says.

As far as changing the game goes, this competition is poised to offer fresh graduates an unprecedented level of exposure. “The goal of the metaverse event is to provide a platform for students to connect, compete and collaborate in a virtual environment, interacting with digital content in real-time,” Rowan El Selmy, Co-Founder of Desco, adds. “It will showcase the best graduation projects from across Egypt and allow students to connect with their peers, industry professionals and potential employers.”

Previously, Desco hosted the ‘Digital Extension of Your Home’ competition in the metaverse, which included participants from 10 countries and a total of 130 participating teams. This competition, however, will also be brought to the physical world with a talent fair hosted in December. Submissions are open till September 1st, 2023.

To enter the competition, visit wearedesco.com.