What qualities do you personally look for in a project that makes it stand out as award-worthy?

As practical architects and university professors, an award-worthy project is one that goes beyond solving a brief—it must question, redefine, and expand the possibilities of architecture. We, Jenchieh Hung and Kulthida Songkittipakdee, look for a work that carries strong conceptual clarity yet remains deeply connected to its cultural and environmental context. Architecture should reveal new spatial experiences, challenge conventions, and express a meaningful narrative about its place and people. At the same time, we value craft, precision, and the quiet discipline of making. A project becomes truly distinguished when innovation and sensitivity coexist, when the work demonstrates not only design intelligence but also an attitude of generosity toward the community and the future.

Tell us more about your own journey as an architect.

Our journey as architects has always been shaped by curiosity, discipline, and a deep respect for the cultural landscapes we inhabit. Both of us began our paths in Asian city contexts, with concrete-jungle buildings around us and a small-alley lifestyle, yet we shared a belief that architecture must be both intellectually rigorous and emotionally resonant. Working across Asia and Europe with Kengo Kuma and Renzo Piano exposed us to diverse traditions, construction cultures, and ways of thinking, which continue to influence our practice today. Founding the Thailand-based firm in our country, Jenchieh Hung + Kulthida Songkittipakdee / HAS Design and Research, allowed us to pursue architecture as a form of exploration—one that bridges material experimentation, spatial innovation, and social responsibility. Teaching, meanwhile, keeps us grounded; it reminds us that architecture is a conversation across generations. Our journey is ongoing, guided by the desire to contribute meaningfully to the built environment and to cultivate new possibilities for the future.

When you review a project, what is the first thing you tend to focus on?

When we review a project, the first thing we focus on is its core intention. We want to understand what the architect is truly trying to achieve—what question they are asking, what idea they are pushing, and how clearly that intention is expressed. A project with a strong foundation of thought naturally guides its form, materiality, and spatial organization. We also look at how the design responds to its cultural, social, and environmental context, because architecture cannot exist in isolation. At the same time, we pay attention to the craftsmanship and discipline embedded in the drawings and models. These reveal how deeply the architect has engaged with the process. For us, Jenchieh Hung and Kulthida Songkittipakdee, as practical architects, a meaningful project begins with clarity of purpose and unfolds through a thoughtful, grounded exploration of space and experience.

What inspires you in your day-to-day practice? Are there places, people or experiences that influence your work?

In our day-to-day practice, inspiration often comes from the ordinary moments around us—local streets, small alleys, the way people occupy space, and the changing conditions of light and nature in the city. As the founders and architects of the Thai firm Jenchieh Hung + Kulthida Songkittipakdee / HAS Design and Research, growing up and working in Asia or Southeast Asia, especially in Bangkok, we are deeply influenced by its density, informality, and cultural richness. Encounters with craftsmen, students, locals, and communities continually remind us that architecture is rooted in real experiences and shared values. Our travels and past collaborations with architects like Renzo Piano and Kengo Kuma also shape our sensitivity to materials and construction cultures. Ultimately, inspiration comes from observing how people live, adapt, and create meaning in their environments. These everyday interactions guide our practice and encourage us to keep searching for architecture that is thoughtful, contextual, and emotionally resonant.

You’ve worked on a project in China and Thailand. How have these different contexts influenced your work, and how do you see Asian architects contributing to the international design scene today?

Working in both Thailand and China has broadened our understanding of how cultural, social, and environmental conditions shape architecture. China offers a scale and speed of development that challenge us to think boldly and strategically, while Thailand’s layered traditions, climate, and informal urban life encourage sensitivity, adaptability, and a more human centered design approach. Moving between these contexts strengthens our belief that architecture must respond to its place while still engaging with global conversations. Today, Asian architects are contributing to the international design scene with new forms of creativity rooted in cultural diversity, resourcefulness, and material intelligence. Asia’s complexity, with its dense cities, rich craftsmanship, and evolving social structures, generates ideas that are both grounded and forward looking. We believe this perspective allows Asian architects to offer meaningful alternatives in a rapidly changing world.

What advice would you give to emerging architects or designers who want to strengthen their work and present their ideas clearly?

Our advice to emerging architects is to always start with curiosity and a clear intention. For our firm, Jenchieh Hung + Kulthida Songkittipakdee / HAS Design and Research, before refining visuals or models, it is essential to understand the question your design is trying to answer and the story you want to tell. Strengthening your work comes from rigorous thinking, iterative exploration, and a willingness to test ideas through drawing, modeling, and making. Equally important is observation—study how people interact with spaces, how materials behave, and how context shapes experience. When presenting your ideas, clarity is essential: convey the concept first, then show how it informs form, materiality, and spatial experience. Embrace simplicity and discipline in your communication, so the depth of your thinking comes across naturally. Ultimately, the strongest work balances intelligence with empathy, innovation with sensitivity, and vision with a grounded understanding of people and place.