RIBA North East Student Awards 2023
Congratulations to Part 2 winner Anastasia Cockerill and Part 1 highly commended Adam Schell
18 July 2023
The RIBA North East Student Awards aim to celebrate the talent of students from the Schools of Architecture at Newcastle University and Northumbria University. The awards reward students in the pursuit of excellence in the study of architecture.
Alongside Northumbria University, we were invited to submit two end of year Part 1 and Part 2 design projects. The nominated students presented their project to the panel of judges at the Farrell Centre on 3 July 2023.
This year’s judging panel featured Despoina Papadopoulou of MAZi Architects, Becky Smith of xsite architecture and David Wise of Space Architects.
Part 1 nominees
- Catlin Hawkins (Northumbria University)
- Isobel Hill (Northumbria University)
- Adam Schell (Newcastle University)
- Ella Hui (Newcastle University)
Part 2 nominees
- Anastasia Cockerill (Newcastle University)
- Sarah Bushnell (Newcastle University)
- Ben Slater (Northumbria University)
- Sara Hurley (Northumbria University)
Congratulations to Adam Schell on receiving Part 1 Highly Commended, and to Anastasia Cockerill on winning the Part 2 award.
Part 1 Highly Commended Adam Schell - Sustainable Agriculture and Rewilding
Adam's project brief is centered around sustainable agriculture and re-wilding. His proposal is a rural education and management center for Bywell Parish that looks to re-imagine the semi-rural landscape of the area. The "Making Rural" studio is focused on ideas concerning context, historical narratives, and materials. Throughout the year Adam worked through those ideas using research and analysis of the village as well as through precedents. Since the studio has placed a large emphasis on the Arts and Crafts movement, many of those precedents have come from the movement or have been inspired by the movement. The focus on the Arts and Crafts movement is not to recreate or imitate the architecture or ideas of the time, but rather to consider how the values and driving forces of the movement could be analysed through a contemporary lens.
Judges' Comments
1. The judges were particularly impressed with Adam’s breadth of explorative research, and meticulously observed contextual analysis. Adam had not only conveyed a compelling environmental model for sustainable agricultural practices, but had also considered the socioeconomic benefits of such an approach. Through extensive design exploration in mixed media, the highly contextual response was conveyed with engaging artistic expression.
2. This project showcased a vast array of media testing with a strong appreciation for materiality throughout the research conducted. It also was strongly underpinned by the Arts and Crafts movement which was referenced throughout both the research and development of the scheme.
3. Adam’s work and presentation showed the great variety of tools that have been used in the site analysis. Adam had a strong and unique approach to building a narrative throughout the project.
Part 2 Winner Anastasia Cockerill - Creatura Fluminis
Anastasia's project explores applying the Rights of Nature legal philosophy to the UK constitution, focusing on the River Tyne as a case study. The Rights of Nature movement posits that nature has inherent rights, beyond being human property. By recognizing these rights, we can transform our behavior and legislation to protect the environment from irreversible damage caused by global warming and exploitation. The thesis analyzes the issues facing the River Tyne, including biodiversity loss, pollution, and our disconnection from the river. Implementing a set of rights would enable the river to protect itself and be regenerated. Architectural intervention, in the form of a sculptural creature called 'CreaturaFluminis,' accompanies this process, facilitating the river's protection. The creature's design promotes sediment deposition, responds to the river's attributes, and encourages habitat creation and pollution remediation. This collaboration between the architect, creature, and river ensures the river's rights are upheld and its health is restored.
Judges' Comments
1. In personifying the River Tyne, Annie’s poetic storytelling had such strength and clarity, to the deliberate absence of any human reference in the imagery. From Annie’s vision, bravery and conviction, emerged a profoundly personal and moving homage to the restorative power of the natural world. The resultant ‘creature’ gave remarkable sculptural and tectonic expression in a beautifully detailed structure.
2. This project showed real passion for a very current topical issue with a bold and strongly considered response to it. The extensive testing of ideas and ambition to create an installation which also had a future use and with a strong legislative understanding of the issues which were trying to be tackled resulted in a very well-rounded thesis project.
3. Annie presented an aspirational project that pushes the boundaries of architectural design to other disciplines. Nature-led design in the most convincing and inspiring way. The use of a video to present the project was unique and a poetic way of storytelling. Exceptional 3D model.