Corus Student Design Awards winners announced

Steel supplier Corus has announced the winners of its 2008 Student Design Awards. In its 20th year, the awards were created to reward the architectural and engineering excellence of undergraduates helping them to develop the skills they will need upon graduation when it comes to entering the professional construction arena, as the competition briefs echo the challenges of the real world.

The winning teams are
• University of Cardiff (Structures)
• University of Southampton (Bridges)
• University of Nottingham (Architecture)

STRUCTURES Winners: University of Cardiff

Brief: Students were challenged to provide a structural solution for a terminal building and a control tower at a new regional UK airport to support a growing economy and improve transport links.

Chair of judges said: “Alan Jones, SKM Anthony Hunts: “This was certainly a demanding brief as airport buildings by their very nature are highly charged and symbolic buildings that need to reflect the image of the nation. The entry from the University of Cardiff was expertly thought out - an innovative and effective design that would lend itself to future expansion.”

BRIDGES Winners: University of Southampton

Brief: Budding engineers were asked to provide a pedestrian and cycle bridge over a river to link two halves of the major city centre brownfield regeneration scheme.

Chair of judges said: “Barry Mawson, Capita Symonds: “University of Southampton’s winning design was a dramatic and integrated solution that added a real dimension of excitement to the design. A key feature of their design was the concept of a sweeping curved deck supported from an inclined pylon, essentially providing an elegant solution to the geometry of the site.”

ARCHITECTURE Winners: University of Nottingham

Brief: Design a housing scheme for an urban community with a density of 150-500 homes per hectare. The masterplan for the community will need to consider in detail how individual housing units might work within the context of sustainable waste use and./or management.

Chair of judges said: “Christopher Nash, Managing Partner, Grimshaw: “The architectural awards are a celebration of excellence in architecture, rewarding talent and encouraging debate on the global issues that affect us today. Whilst this year we saw some truly inspirational designs the creative yet functional design by a student from the University of Nottingham ultimately demonstrates how practical and elegant solutions to waste can be easily integrated into everyday life.”