RIBA ICE McAslan Bursary winners announced

Date:

09 March 2007

Press release contact:

Julia Davies
T: +44 (0)113 203 1490
E: julia.davies@riba.org

The winners of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) / Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) McAslan Bursary were announced today, with more than £15,000 awarded. The Bursary, administered by the RIBA with ICE, aims to support architectural and engineering students, graduates and newly-qualified architects and engineers working collaboratively and committed to the progress of environmental and community issues in the UK or abroad.

Sophie Handler, from muf, the collaborative practice of art and architecture, receives £5,000 to bring the work of her recently completed RIBA Modern Architecture and Town Planning Trust research project to the point of practical application. She is looking at how to set up workable interventions in public space for older residents in Newham, following her research project, The Fluid Pavement and Other Stories on Growing Old in Newham.

Asif Khan and Julia King from the Architectural Association receive £7,242 for their project, One Year House, focusing on refugee housing on the Thai-Burma border. Asif and Julia are due to collaborate with refugees and carpenters to develop small-scale, high-impact improvements to their built environment, most notably the 'temporary' bamboo homes.

Julia Bouvy, currently studying at Oxford Brookes, receives £1,000 towards her project aiming to regenerate embankment life in West Africa though a participatory masterplan for the Senegal River.

A team working with Architects for Aid receives £3,290 for the conservation of Saxon buildings in Transylvania – the project aims to restore and build upon a valuable architectural heritage, stimulating local economy and encouraging cross-cultural knowledge exchange and training.

The judging panel, joined by John McAslan for the assessment of bursary applications, comprised David Gloster, Director of RIBA Education; Jane Priestman OBE, Design Management Consultant; Professor George Henderson, Principal of Henderson Associates; Mark Whitby, Partner at Whitbybird; and Jon Pritchard, Director for Engineering Policy and Innovation, ICE.

Jack Pringle, President of the RIBA said:

"The RIBA is delighted to be involved with the John McAslan Family Charitable Trust and its generous bursary scheme. I am particularly pleased that this year's entries were of such a high calibre and focused on improving deprived communities. We look forward to continuing this collaboration for many years to come."

John McAslan said:

"This is the third year of the bursary which I am pleased to continue with the RIBA and ICE. Without doubt this year has seen the highest quality of entries and a fantastic range of projects both in the UK and abroad."

Notes to editors

1. For further press information contact Dorelia Adeane in the RIBA Press Office on 020 7307 3884; dorelia.adeane@inst.riba.org|

2. For further information please visit the 'Funding' section of the RIBA Education pages at www.architecture.com| or contact Laura Broderick, Student & Graduate Liaison Co-ordinator on 0207 307 3678 or email laura.broderick@inst.riba.org|

3. John McAslan is Chairman of John McAslan and Partners. Bursaries made available through the John McAslan Family Charitable Trust were set up in 2004 with the first awards in 2005.

4. A copy of Sophie Handler's winning research project, "The Fluid Pavement and Other Stories on Growing Old in Newham", is available through the British Architectural Library at the RIBA, 66 Portland Place, London, W1. Sophie will also be launching the book and leading a tour of the area discussed on Wednesday 21 March at Plaistow Library, Plaistow, London E13. Telephone Laura Broderick on 020 7307 3678 or visit www.architecture.com| for more information.

5. The RIBA Education Department administers two trust funds in the area of architectural research: the Modern Architecture and Town Planning Trust, and the Historical Research Trust. The primary objective of these trust funds is to help the education of young people understanding the role of research. It is hoped that a number of entrants will, in subsequent years, go on to be accomplished researchers in the architectural field. Please note these funds are for a closely defined piece of architectural research and are not available to pay course fees and subsistence costs to students whilst enrolled on PhD/MPhil programmes.

6. The RIBA is now inviting applications for the Research Trusts Awards 2007: The Modern Architecture and Town Planning Trust; 3 awards not exceeding £5,000 each and The Historical Research Trust; 2 awards not exceeding £4,000 each. The deadline for applications is Friday 8 June 2007, the awards will be available from Tuesday 31 July 2007. Copies of the application forms and explanatory notes can be downloaded from the 'Funding' section of the RIBA Education pages at www.architecture.com| or by contacting Laura Broderick, Student & Graduate Liaison Co-ordinator, on 020 7307 3678 or email laura.broderick@inst.riba.org|