Tiago Goncalves placed second in annual design competition

Tiago Loureiro Goncalves (22), born and raised in Alberton, has come second in an annual competition for young and upcoming architects and interior designers.

Goncalves comes from a big family and with Portuguese blood running through his veins, he has always been extremely close to his family and describes himself as a very family-oriented person.

He attended Kenton Primary School and later attended high school at Hoërskool Marais Viljoen High School.
“I enjoyed both schools. I matriculated in 2019 and thereafter took a gap year before starting my studies in 2021,” highlighted Goncalves.

Life of a design student

Goncalves is finishing his third year, studying for his Bachelor of Arts in interior design. He has been provisionally accepted for honours next year.

“As a student, it is quite difficult to find inspiration. However, I don’t let that stop me. Through conducting research and finding the most inspiring, different and unique precedents, that is where I find the majority of my inspiration.”

Social media platforms such as Pinterest and websites such as Archdaily are also where he draws a lot of his inspiration from.

“I do want to start travelling more as I do believe that in such an adventure is where designers can find their best inspiration,” said Goncalves.

Goncalves describes studying interior design as one of the best and most rewarding journeys he has ever experienced. Although there have been countless sleepless nights, extremely lengthy working hours and huge amounts of anxiety, he would not trade it for the world.

“I have loved every single minute of my degree and I cannot wait to see where my future in this fascinating industry takes me, whether that be locally or internationally,” said Goncalves.

Journeying into design

“Since I can remember I have always been interested in design. The way something looks and the way a design makes you feel has always been fascinating to me” emphasised the design student.

He has a strong passion for interior design and cannot imagine himself doing anything else. This passion for the profession was sparked by the fact that he can enrich someone’s life through the designs he creates.

“The spaces I design can be beneficial to not only one’s physical health but mental health as well. It is believed that humans spend 90% of our lives indoors and so it is crucial for me to design not only beautiful and innovative spaces but spaces that are functional. This is of utmost importance as it can impact our lives in so many ways,” said Goncalves.

Goncalves has always been a creative person and loved design. He always knew he wanted to be a designer but was unsure which field of design he wanted to go into and it was after completing a few courses, that the path forward became more clear.

Competing creatively

PG Bison 1.618 Education Initiative 2023 is an annual competition aimed at showcasing the creativity, innovation and skills of emerging young architects and interior designers from across the country.

It provides a platform for them to gain recognition from industry professionals and create valuable connections within the design community.

This year’s brief required the students to design a dream desert oasis consisting of an Instagrammable luxury residence, with entertainment areas and landscaped surrounds, celebrating the basic human needs of eating, sleeping, bathing and socialising. They had to use the four elements of fire, water, earth and air.

Goncalves found out about the competition from his lecturers, who selected the top three entries. The winners were then encouraged to enter the competition.

“I followed the steps and requirements to enter the competition digitally. It was truly such a memorable experience and one that I will never forget. Although it was a very nerve-wracking and stressful journey, it was all worth it.”

The runner-up winner said he tried to apply as many skills and knowledge that he has been taught throughout his three-year degree to this design such as his rendering skills, technical knowledge of the built environment, Photoshop abilities, presentation skills as well as all the design theories that he researched.

Goncalves biggest challenge was designing a building that would be able to withstand the harsh semi-arid desert condition of the Karoo. “I overcame that problem by designing with passive ventilation strategies and selecting materials that would withstand the climate and would be sustainable.”

He described his experience saying: “I really enjoyed meeting other young creatives and designers from all over the country. It was fascinating to me that every finalist was presented with the same brief. We each interpreted it completely differently and produced such outstanding and unique designs.

“Because interior design is such an iterative process, my design process was not straightforward. I began this project by understanding the client, brief and location and then defining a concept.

“Throughout the design process, I was constantly trying to create elements and spaces that pushed the boundaries by ensuring these elements were not only aesthetic and unique but also functional and sustainable,” highlighted Goncalves.

Winning second place in the competition was a surreal feeling for the young design student.

“The competition has taught me to believe in myself and the work I can produce. It also taught me to trust my instincts as a designer, to be more confident and step out of my comfort zone.”

His family has always been his biggest support structure and pillar of strength. “They are who motivate me to keep on pushing to achieve great things. My lecturers and mentor also constantly guided and supported me through the design of this project.”

“I would like to say a special thanks to the Department of interior design at the University of Johannesburg but most importantly my lecturers, Sadiyah Geyer and Kimberley Kloes, for their constant guidance and support.

“Also, a huge thank you to PG Bison and the 1.618 Education initiative for giving me and other students the opportunity to showcase our designs and market ourselves,” said Goncalves.