A&DS and RIAS Scottish Student Awards for Architecture 2018 results

A project outlining ideas for a new public library in Leith and an approach to providing fresh water in Havana, Cuba, win the top prizes at the annual Scottish Student Awards 2018.  

Imke Hullmann, University of Dundee, picks up the Architecture and Design Scotland Best Third Year Award with James Ness, ESALA, receiving the RIAS Rowand Anderson Silver Medal for best 5th Year Student. 

The Judges said that James Ness’ project tackles “a real-world problem in a compelling fashion that could apply globally,” and Imke Hullman’s project for a public library in Leith was praised for “a generous civic proposal [where a] clarity of form, urban context was well thought through and the sections worked well together.”

Their projects were just some of the high-quality student projects that received awards and commendations in the annual Architecture and Design Scotland (A&DS) and the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) Scottish Student Awards for Architecture. 

Fourteen student projects were presented at a special event held at The Lighthouse, Glasgow, on Tuesday 3 July.

The winners were announced following Chiff-Chaff – a quick fire presentation style where the students shared their projects, process and inspiration with other students, the jury and members of the public.

The event was followed by the annual Andy MacMillan memorial lecture, this year given by Sarah Castle, Director and Co-Founder of IF_DO Architecture.

The awards – now in their 16th year – recognise the talent of student architects and are awarded in a number of categories. Projects submitted included proposals ranging from an elevated train loop connecting all of Scotland’s cities, through to housing for an ageing population to an organic re-shaping of obsolete concrete carparking spaces in Glasgow.

An exhibition featuring the winning and shortlisted projects will start at The Lighthouse, Glasgow, on Thursday 5 July until the end of September.

The student awards exhibition offers a rare opportunity for the public and profession to see the best work of students from all of Scotland’s Schools of Architecture together in one space.

Speaking about the Awards, Architecture and Design Scotland Chief Executive, Jim MacDonald, said “We are always delighted to shine a light on Scotland’s emerging design talent, and The Student Awards – promoted jointly with the RIAS – is an excellent opportunity to showcase the creativity, passion and commitment of the students from our schools of architecture. In particular, I enjoy the way the awards allow us to hear directly from the students who yet again presented their thinking and ideas confidently and clearly, so I’m delighted to offer my congratulations to the winners and my thanks to everyone who took part.”

Stewart Henderson, RIAS President, commented, “Our annual student awards mark the extraordinarily high quality of architectural education in Scotland. Students from throughout the world come here because of the excellent training that is on offer. Scotland’s five schools of architecture are major contributors to the evolution of architecture across the planet. We are especially pleased that this will be the first year the RIAS will be electing student representatives onto our governing Council, providing a voice for our student membership.”

Architecture and Design Scotland Award for Best 3rd Year Student

Winner: Imke Hullmann, University of Dundee

Leith Public Library

Design analysis was clear and well presented, well-worked building with clarity of form, urban context was well thought through and the sections worked well together.

Commended: Ila Colley, ESALA

Cutting through the Domestic – 10a Circus Lane, Edinburgh and Retuning the Warp – Prestongrange, Edinburgh

Quality of drawings were superb and brilliant to look at with a very clear presentation. 

RIAS Rowand Anderson Silver Medal for Best Scottish Student 

General Comments: Impressed by the breadth and scale and amount of work that had gone into these projects and proposals.

Winner: James Ness, ESALA – Coral City, Havana, Cuba

Highly informative and sophisticated project, explanation well-orchestrated and elaborated. Sustainability first class – energy generation in particular. It contrasts with the historic fabric embodied by the proposals.

Commended: Karolina Petruskeviciute, University of Strathclyde – Removing Boundaries: Social, architectural and urban strategy for informal settlements, Nuevo Palmar, Santa Cruz

A project that could be seen in practice, the sustainability approach admirable and presents architecture as social spirit. Drawings have life and are enticing.

Architecture and Design Scotland Urban Design Award 

Winners: Marina Eftychia Konstantopoulou and Evangelia Giannoulaki, University of Strathclyde

Synchroni [CITY] : Unravelling urban narratives through public consolidation.
Lovely drawings which are easy to understand with a coherent urban analysis which was extended into a convincing proposal. Beautifully drawn at all scales and a fantastic volume of work for only two people.

Commended: Sheryl Lam, Alecsandra Trofin, Ezmira Peraj and Leo Xian, ESALA – Scoring the Malecón, Havana, Cuba

Well-presented and graphically pleasing project.

Architecture and Design Scotland Award for Sustainable Design

This award is selected from all entrants

Winner: James Ness, ESALA – Coral City, Havana, Cuba
Project addresses the key aspect of water management, highlighting the extreme and vulnerable conditions addressing the future sustainability of Havana.

Commendation: Karolina Petruskeviciute, University of Strathclyde – Removing Boundaries: Social, architectural and urban strategy for  informal settlements, Nuevo Palmar, Santa Cruz

The RIAS Andy MacMillan Drawing Award

This award is selected from all entrants

Winner:  Ila Colley, ESALA
Well executed group of drawings which clearly cut across the project in a precise and engaging manner.

Commended: Marina Eftychia Konstantopoulou and Evangelia Giannoulaki, University of Strathclyde – Synchroni [CITY]: Unravelling urban narratives through public consolidation.

Sheryl Lam, Alecsandra Trofin, Ezmira Peraj and Leo Xian, ESALA – Scoring the Malecón, Havana, Cuba

This year’s judges were:

Lynn Wilson, Board Member, Architecture and Design Scotland.

Gordon Smith, Education Committee Convenor, Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland

Sarah Castle, Director and Co-Founder, IF_DO Architecture

Ian Gilzean, Chief Architect, Scottish Government.