First Place – Detached Living By Anthony Barakat & Rita Semaani
Congrats to Rita & Anthony of Atelié Albert Barakat! Their firm, founded by the late Albert Barakat in Lebanon, has built architectural models for projects across Lebanon, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, France, and the U.S. They see design competitions as a chance to step away from daily constraints and think differently—and their winning entry reflects that.
Their design showcases the potential of a single-stair layout in Colorado, maximizing daylight, offering a range of unit sizes, and balancing function with elegance.
Jury member Terra Mazzeo shared: “The design is well-executed with strong aesthetics and clear representation. A central void increases access to light, air, and views, while the double-skin façade helps with solar control and allows for user customization. Unit layouts are efficient and connected to the outdoors, and the ground-floor retail strengthens neighborhood ties. The stair itself is more than circulation—it’s an experience.”
“Atelié Albert Barakat is a model-making company founded in 1995 by the late interior architect Albert Barakat in Lebanon. Over the years, the atelier has built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality architectural models for projects of varying scales, serving architects, developers, and designers across the region. Today, Atelié Albert Barakat operates with a dedicated team of five employees, led by two head architects — Anthony Barakat and Rita Semaani — who bring their combined expertise in architecture, design, and technical detailing to every project. While model making remains the core service, the atelier is expanding its offerings to include architectural presentation and design services, helping clients communicate their design visions through both physical models and visual presentations.”
“Atelié Albert Barakat has worked on a wide range of architectural models across Lebanon, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, France, and USA, covering residential, commercial, and large-scale projects. Notable works include the UOB Campus and Fields of Gold in Lebanon, Al Bayt Stadium and Marina 22 in Qatar, and Tahlia Offices in Saudi Arabia. Our models, showcased on our website, range from detailed building models to large masterplans, helping clients visualize their projects with precision and creativity.”
“To us, architecture is the art of shaping spaces that influence how we live, work, and connect with our surroundings. In Lebanon, architecture plays an even deeper role, it reflects our rich history, diverse culture, and resilience. Architects here have the responsibility to design spaces that respect our heritage while addressing the needs of modern life. In a society facing constant change, architects in Lebanon help shape a more functional, inclusive, and inspiring built environment for future generations.”
“We participate in architecture competitions because they offer a rare opportunity to break away from the constraints of daily projects and routines, encouraging us to think more creatively and approach design with fresh eyes. As architects, it’s essential to embrace change, to question familiar processes, experiment with new ideas, and challenge ourselves to solve problems in innovative ways.”
“Competitions provide this creative freedom, allowing us to tackle unique design briefs that push us to grow both individually and as a team. They also expose us to new architectural challenges, different cultural and environmental contexts, and evolving design trends from around the world. Beyond the design process itself, competitions are a valuable way to connect with other architects, designers, and creative minds, expanding our professional network and introducing our work to a broader audience. Ultimately, they help us stay inspired, adaptable, and engaged with the ever-changing nature of architecture.”“My advice to anyone unsure about participating in architecture competitions is to see them as a valuable opportunity for growth, not just a contest to win. Competitions push you to think creatively, step out of your comfort zone, and approach design problems in ways that traditional projects might not allow. They teach you to work with tight deadlines, think critically, and present your ideas clearly, all skills that are essential in practice.”“Even if you don’t win, you gain valuable experience, build your portfolio, and often discover new interests or strengths along the way. Most importantly, competitions connect you to a wider community of architects and designers, exposing you to new ideas, approaches, and collaborations that can help shape your career. Every competition is a learning experience, and the process itself is often more rewarding than the result.”
