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Architecture students at De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) have won a prestigious award for their concept work to redesign student accommodation in the city.
As part of the 2023 Leicestershire and Rutland Society of Architects (LRSA) President’s Award, groups of participants are racing against time to reinvent the way students live in the city.
The winning proposal “Between Childhood”, designed by five second-year DMU architecture students Nilufer Vural, Tehreem Zubair, Rachel Griffiths, Emily Bailey and Zuhdi Alamad, received a cash prize of £75.
Winning team with Nicola Pettman at the awards ceremony
The team focused on blending public and private spaces while incorporating a sense of home using their own vision of student accommodation. They looked at areas they felt needed improvement to inspire new inclusive designs.
Students have 32 hours to present their ideas, highlighting their teamwork skills and ability to complete proposals in a time-pressured environment.
“It was a great experience,” Trem said. “While it was very difficult with such a tight turnaround, it was really encouraging because none of us had ever worked in such a fast-paced environment.”
Working as a team can sometimes bring its own challenges. “We all have different opinions, and with the short time frame, it’s hard to make sure everyone’s ideas are represented,” Trem said.
“However, we managed to distribute the tasks evenly based on our strengths. I did the watercolors, other team members were doing the digital work, and the entire concept was developed on the same day.”
The winning entry includes glass elevators, light-filled corridors, public seating areas, greenery connected by ramps, pathways and a central pavilion.
Award-winning design
Students Nilufer and Emily also shared their thoughts on the project and how they felt when they were announced as winners.
Nilufer said: “I didn’t expect to win the award, so it was a surprise for me, but I’m really happy and it gave me confidence. Sometimes you encounter difficulties on projects, so this motivated me to continue go ahead.”
Emily added: “It’s great that our hard work has been recognised. I think overall it was a great learning experience and we won more than just awards because we learned how to function as a professional in a professional environment Work as a team.”
The LRSA provides a platform for members to express their views, network, promote good practice and raise the profile of architects.
LRSA President Nicola Pettman said: “Warm congratulations to De Montfort University’s 2023 LRSA President’s Award winner: Childhood!
“Their concept of using built space and place to support students through the major life event of leaving home for the first time was well received by all judges.
“Well done to Nilufer Vural, Rachel Griffiths, Tehreem Zubair, Emily Bailey and Zuhdi Alamad!”
Two runners-up from DMU were also recognized for their designs, including Hillside Pods by Kaan Koldju, Ra’kin Ashadi, Vrutik Ramesh, Wilson Tan and Jiseob Lee and Swivel Accommodation by George Shillingford, Prerit Ale and Saif Saiyed.
Among the LRSA’s many successes over the years at DMU was a prestigious President’s Award for a proposal to transform visitors’ first impressions of Leicester, including a “green platform” to restore Leicester’s elegant Victorian trains Connecting street on the loop break between station and Granby.
Posted on Friday, February 9, 2024
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