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.
Yet again, the standard of entries was very high, reflecting the students' thorough understanding of and willingness to confront current architectural and societal challenges. After careful deliberation by a distinguished panel of judges, including President Chris Williamson, the winners have been announced, each giving us an inspiring insight into the knowledge, talents and potential they’ve developed during their studies.
Winner: DMU- Tehreem Zubair
This project reclaims a neglected floodplain on Wolsey Island, Leicester, transforming it into a democratic, multi-use civic hub that responds to the climate crisis, urban fragmentation, and the ethics of spatial agency. Informed by situationist theory, psychogeography, and the principles of climate sustainability; the proposal integrates a workspace-theatre, a participatory common, a digital detox zone, and a seasonal innovation testbed, all designed to evolve through community involvement.
The architecture works with the flood cycle, using regenerative reed planting, floating pods, debris-filled gabions, and adaptable timber tectonics. This is due to the site being a 3b flood zone and so serves the necessary purpose of redirecting water from the city. Sustainable strategies include mirror-based daylight redirection, modular construction using recycled plastic, and disassembly-ready detailing. The proposal foregrounds local materials, low-carbon foundations, and social reuse, creating a model of future civic infrastructure grounded in equity, participation, and care.
Designed primarily for digital nomads and the surrounding community, the building operates like a game with spatial transitions driven by performance, debate, and co-creation. In rejecting static zoning, it enables an inclusive rhythm of work, play, and reflection. The architecture becomes a civic instrument and a testing ground for bottom-up governance culminating in a hopeful act of spatial repair.
Commendation: Nottingham University – Eleanor Bolt
Positioned as a ‘collaborative ecosystem’, this urban farm integrates agriculture, sustainable technology, education, and community within an open, interconnected design.
The judges were all amazed by the professional level of technical artistry demonstrated in Eleanor’s lavish and finely tuned graphics.
Winner: Loughborough University- Ethan Barratt
The Zine is part of a wider master plan that was designed for Andrejsala, Latvia. It is built on underground values of disruption to create communities, form resistance, and promote innovation. These three inspire young Latvians to create their future at home rather than moving countries for opportunities. Change takes an underground mindset in which Latvians are encouraged to DIY!
The Zine, taken from the short magazines the underground use for communication, is placed at the heart of the site forming a student hub and environmental tech startup incubator. If Latvians are forming their future, it will be green! Again, this building encompasses the three spirits of the underground: Connection, Resistance, Innovation.
The judges said this is a “brilliant concept with strong graphics and beautiful sectional drawing, keenly articulating the energy of the project. Conceptually underpinned masterplan, with layered programme, events and activities.”
Commendation: Nottingham University – Lee Wills
This co-living community combines Passivhaus multi-family houses and flats with shared communal sun terraces and greenhouses as well as a community greengrocer and preserving kitchen and a small cluster of retail units.
Judges
Insight into the technical skills and problem-solving methods of these bright young things was given by an array of dedicated and experienced judges:
- Richard Crowson – Chair of RIBA East Midlands Education Group Richard is strategic lead for the Watson Batty Midlands Region/Loughborough office, with over 25 years of experience working on a variety of UK projects.
- Chris Williamson - Chris is a registered architect with over 35 years’ experience in practice and is President Elect of the RIBA.
- Jemma Browne - The first permanent Head of Birmingham School of Architecture and Design, founded 1908, with a vision of the transformational power of design in creating sustainable and inclusive futures.
- Dr Maria Vogiatzaki - Professor of Architecture at Angia Ruskin University, since 2018 and is Head of School of Architecture and Town Planning. She works closely with the industry on sustainable real-scale projects.
RIBA East Midlands Student Awards celebrate the ingenuity of local architecture students, showcasing their ability to tackle complex global challenges through innovative design. These diverse projects demonstrate the potential of architecture to drive positive change for communities and the environment.
It took a lot of concerted deliberation between judges to come up with this year’s winners, proving that the next generation is ready to lead the way in reimagining our built environment. Congratulations to all participants for their outstanding efforts to tackle complex issues with beautiful, useful and forward-thinking designs.
