Drawing Phenomenology is an openly creative project that explores architectural elements in their current organic state—often focusing on buildings left to decay and fall into ruin. I am particularly interested in the life cycle of materials and how, over time, they reshape the narrative of a structure, capturing my attention more profoundly as they begin to break down. The project also investigates the spaces that emerge through this material transformation, seeking ways to reinterpret and redesign them to open a broader conversation about architecture and design. All of the artwork presented is rooted in architectural technique and vision, with each final piece offering a subject open to interpretation and discourse.
Aleksandar Pilyov is a graduate architect from KU Leuven, campus Sint-Lukas in Brussels. He was born in Sofia, Bulgaria, and currently lives and works in Belgium. Over the past year, he has collaborated on a variety of projects, primarily involving industrial facilities, laboratories, and office spaces.
In 2023, he was awarded the Jef Van Ranst Prize for his master's thesis "Discourse in Spatial Vacuums", in which he explores architectural and artistic techniques that go beyond the aesthetics of representation in the subject matter.
In 2024 he worked in Antwerp and was involved in collaborative projects that merge technical precision with conceptual exploration for projects in Flanders.
"My architectural motivation lies in crafting challenging projects, utilizing a blend of representational techniques and digital media. Central to my practice is hand drawing, which serves as a vital tool for architectural discourse, fostering experimentation and bringing fresh, transformative ideas."
Education
(2016-2019) Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Architecture - BA (Hons), University of Kent, Canterbury, England
(2021-2023) Master of Science, Master of Architecture - MSc, MArch, Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, Brussels, Belgium
Collaborations
(2020 sept. - dec.) NAUTA Architecture and Research, Rotterdam, Netherlands
(2021 jan. - march) Helsinki Zurich Office, Helsinki, Finland
(2024 march - 2025 feb.) SVR Architects, Antwerp, Belgium
Competitions, Awards and Workshops
(2020-2021) Ravenna - Station Mobility Hub Competition, participant, Team: NAUTA architecture & research, urban and architectural design
(2020-2021) Ravenna - Station Mobility Hub Competition, participant, Team: NAUTA architecture & research, urban and architectural design
(2020-2021) Songdo Library International Competition, participation, Team: Helsinki Zurich Office Ltd
(2022) Designing Knowledge Ecologies, Landscape and Urbanism as Spatial Conditions for Economic Development in the Knowledge-Region by the Sea 2070, Team: TU Delft + KU Leuven
(2022) Designing Knowledge Ecologies, Landscape and Urbanism as Spatial Conditions for Economic Development in the Knowledge-Region by the Sea 2070, Team: TU Delft + KU Leuven
(2023) Re-Draw.05: Nakagin Capsule Tower, Honourable Mention, Team: Individual
(2023) Jef Van Ranst Prize, Master's Winner (jury chairman: Dr. Helen Thomas) - Team: Individual (diploma project)
(2024) Archisource: Mixed Media Award, Special Mention, Team: Individual