RIBA East Midlands Student Awards celebrate the hard work and vision of students from the University of Lincoln, University of Nottingham, Nottingham Trent University, Loughborough University, and Leicester De Montfort University, while rewarding their pursuit of architectural innovation.
This year the calibre of entries was exceptional, reflecting the students' dedication to addressing contemporary challenges in architecture, from sustainability to community regeneration. After careful deliberation by a distinguished panel of judges, the winners, and commendations have been announced, each representing the best in forward-thinking design.
2024 Winners
Harriet King’s project, The Wasteland, explores the symbiotic relationship between urban life and natural river systems. Set on a post-industrial brownfield site along the River Soar in Leicester, their proposal envisions a productive urban wetland. The project addresses pressing issues such as food security, sewage management, and flood mitigation through innovative design solutions.
Harriet’s design seamlessly integrates natural river processes with man-made interventions, creating an environment that benefits both the community and the ecosystem. The project exemplifies sustainable urban regeneration, preserving the unique qualities of the built environment while promoting social equity and environmental resilience.
Marco Baressi’s visionary design transforms the historic Casa Radio site in Bucharest into a vibrant entrepreneurial hub. By combining sustainable architecture with a focus on community engagement, Marco reimagines this iconic location as a space for innovation and regeneration. Their design incorporates a glulam-constructed atrium at its heart, which serves as a public exhibition space showcasing ventures from the Romanian diaspora.
The project prioritises biodiversity and sustainable materials, including prefabricated rammed earth walls derived from site excavations. Marco’s work also reconnects the community with ecological features like the Dâmbovița River and nearby parklands, demonstrating how architecture can address cultural, social, and environmental challenges.
Commendations
Elliot Tiney’s project proposes a higher education facility in Nottingham that prioritises carpentry and biomaterials as pivotal disciplines for a greener construction industry. By integrating mycelium insulation panels and other biomaterials, their design champions sustainable building practices while contributing to net-zero carbon targets.
Beyond its environmental impact, the facility serves as an educational tool, reconnecting the Nottingham community with sustainable practices and showcasing green infrastructure, biodiversity, and public spaces. Elliot’s forward-thinking approach positions the building itself as an exemplar of sustainable construction and community innovation.
Rachel Levy’s project focuses on embedding circular food systems into the urban fabric through the creation of an agricultural hub in Brixton, a neighbourhood celebrated for its rich food culture. Their design integrates vertical gardens, roof terraces, and planting bays to grow produce for local restaurants and a community kitchen, while capturing organic waste for recirculation.
Aligned with the principles of the Slow Food Movement—‘good,’ ‘clean,’ and ‘fair’—Rachel’s project combines community education, sustainable practices, and innovative architectural solutions to catalyse the expansion of circular food systems across the city.
Honouring exceptional contributions
In addition to the winners and commended projects, RIBA East Midlands Student Awards 2024 also recognised outstanding submissions through honorary mentions:
- Charlotte Hall (Part 1, Loughborough University) – The Arc Effect
- Isabelle Foote (Part 1, University of Nottingham) – The Future Foundry, Derby
- Caitlin Gray (Part 1, University of Lincoln) – Symbiotic Roots: Weaving Generations into the Tapestry of Life and Society
- Shaun Wignall (Part 2, Nottingham Trent University) – Restauro Della Scultura
Each of these projects demonstrated creativity, technical skill, and an ability to address pressing architectural challenges, from heritage restoration to intergenerational connectivity.
The judging panel
The winners and honourees were selected by an esteemed panel of judges, reflecting a breadth of expertise and insight across the architectural field:
- Richard Crowson – Chair of RIBA East Midlands Education Group
- Olive White – Lecturer at the University of Wolverhampton
- Dr Ana Cocho Bermejo – Senior Lecturer at Anglia Ruskin University
Their dedication to reviewing and assessing each entry ensures the integrity and prestige of the awards, highlighting the exceptional quality of work presented by the students.
Recognising the next generation of architects
RIBA East Midlands Student Awards celebrate the creativity and ingenuity of architecture students, showcasing their ability to tackle complex global challenges through innovative design. From sustainable food systems to urban regeneration, these projects demonstrate the potential of architecture to drive positive change for communities and the environment.
This year’s winners, commended students, and honorary mentions have set a benchmark for future architects, proving that the next generation is ready to lead the way in reimagining our built environment. Congratulations to all participants for their remarkable achievements and inspiring contributions to the field of architecture.
