a place with peace

My little cousins, in their toddler age, has an immense love for cars and vehicles. One of them has deep love for police cars and he loves to rescue animals who are injured and take them to hospital, the gorilla is the doctor for him. He often asks that he wants to play with his cars on road and bing.... We had a plan. One of the room in their house is made of cement, without any tile furnishing and we have a little library there. So, we made road map for them, and placed some building models like police station, hospital and airport as landmarks and their destination points and set the cars to play on the road with a chowk at the center. It is their play area now and when they first saw it they were out of words and expressing their joy by jumping and rushing in to play. What a joyful sight. As much as i enjoyed their expressions, I enjoyed making this whole space tranform into play area and yes i played with cars as well. Because, why not!

Winner of the first prize of the A-Place Mapping contest "Share your experiences of domestic places" 2022

The square in front of Casa de la Vall, the most historic building in Andorra, is the result of a recent intervention that brings new life to this important place. The project opens the most iconic façade of the old Parliament building to a large public space, creating a respectful connection between the past and the present.

This new square works as an intermediate space between the old Parliament (Casa de la Vall) and the new building nearby. It is used for cultural events, public ceremonies, concerts and also as a daily public square for locals and visitors.

In the picture, we can see how the old stone streets and traditional materials are preserved. The intervention is careful and soft, helping people remember the history of the place while allowing it to be active and useful today.

I would describe this experience as a form of meditation for me. In our everyday lives, we often focus too much on work, studying, and other responsibilities that fill our minds—often with thoughts that aren’t truly meaningful. That’s why finding activities like martial arts, especially Jiu-Jitsu, can be so valuable. It demands not only physical energy but also intense mental focus.

As people often say, practicing Jiu-Jitsu is like playing chess with your body. What I enjoy most about this sport is that it requires complete engagement—physically, mentally, and emotionally. You have to be fully present, and that level of focus is rare in most other sports, in my opinion.

Although some might assume that martial arts are inherently violent, Jiu-Jitsu—and many other martial arts—are actually rooted in respect, discipline, and courage. The tatami (training mat) teaches you how to remain calm even when you’re pushed to your limits. It helps you develop resilience and composure in difficult situations—skills that are incredibly valuable in everyday life.

Jiu-Jitsu is not just a martial art; it’s a way of life. It represents respect, discipline, and the pursuit of becoming the best version of yourself. That’s why I love it.