From a group of more than 300 students from 39 universities and 27 interdisciplinary teams, the winners of #RSUDC21 were selected following a live event where students presented their projects to a panel of expert judges representing the best of UK construction.
#RSUDC21 encouraged students to design, engineer, plan and cost a three-bed family home along with an indicative masterplan for 100 homes which meet RIBA2030 Climate Challenge targets.
Students from across the UK were invited in this competition to collaborate, innovate, and create future-facing designs which reimagine how residents might live, work, and play together in beautiful, low-carbon, and multi-generational housing.
Designs from the teams included landscapes and streetscapes with green and open spaces against the backdrop of Riverside Sunderland, and also use low-carbon materials with timber and timber-hybrid systems the main material focus of #RSUDC21.
The judges felt that the standard of entries was exceptionally high and that all of the teams excelled in creating designs that connected with the history and ambition of the area, and imagined how modern methods of construction and inclusive design would deliver a truly sustainable community.
While picking winners was incredibly difficult, we would like to extend our congratulations to the following teams:
- Highly Commended – Team R: Andrew Spence, Teesside University; Casling-Andoniou, Teesside University; Sarah Warrick, Teesside University; Lauren, Teesside University
- Highly Commended – Team I: Boyang Xu, University of Sheffield; Hang Xu, University of Sheffield; Shen Zhekai, University of Sheffield; Weilin Lai, University of Sheffield; Xiao Han, University of Sheffield; Ziyu Li, University of Sheffield.
Neil Guthrie, development director
(residential) of Sunderland City Council: “Team
I really considered the role of materials, of construction, including assembly
and disassembly, amongst other technical aspects, while designing desirable
homes which form a community. The methodologies and the way they sought to
bridge their own knowledge gaps of the UK market was incredibly impressive to
the judges.
“Team R in their presentation really pushed
the boundaries with their concept of a village in the city, and their passion
was evident. The scheme looked deep into the history of the city, bringing to
life the traditional industries of shipbuilding and glassmaking into their
scheme, these new communities, and the spaces they aimed to create.”
4th
placed winner – Team D: Ananth
Balakrishnan, Cardiff University; Joseph Meehan, University of Bristol;
Mohammed Numaan Amar, University of Birmingham, Tsveta Karagyozova, University
of Sheffield.
Mark Farmer, CEO and founding director at
Cast Consultancy: “This entry stood out
through its considerations of the technical detail. We work in a practically
led industry, and this team showed they knew this through their attention to
such matters as delivery logistics including the size of CLT panels and how
they could be transported to site without needing lorry escorts. In addition
there was real effort applied to optimising sourcing strategy and the use of
local supply chain, as well as consideration of disassembly and the circular
economy. It was a really strong entry from a multidisciplinary team which
spanned four universities, showcasing the power of collaboration, and an array
of future talent for the industry.”
3rd
placed winner – Team B: Callum
Hewitt, University of Liverpool; Daniela Lopez Pardo, University of Gloucestershire;
Jade Biado, University of Bristol; Kyle Henderson, Robert Gordon University;
Madeleine Clarke, Coventry University; Samuel Briar, University of Bath;
Zaleekha Iqbal, University of Gloucestershire, Freya Noonan, University of
Bristol.
Kelly Harrison, associate director of
Whitby Wood: “The community focus and
detailed consideration of the structure really stood out to us in this entry,
with a lot of work going into the engineering, as well as the carbon costing of
the project. Excellent attention was given to every technical detail which we
could expect. The inclusion of a project manager was great to see and was
evident with the inclusion of planning documents and minutes from all the
meetings, showing an impressive level of work.
2nd
placed winner - Team A: Elenor
Naraidoo, University of Bath; Fathimath Ema Ziya, University of Bath; Heba
Tabidi, University of Bath; Scott Thompson, Northumbria University; Sophie
Whinney, University of Bristol, Wendy Young, University of Sheffield.
Dr Gemma Jerome, director of Building with
Nature: “This team made landscape the
driving factor in their design, with the architects and landscape architects
working side by side with engineers, surveyors and the rest of the profession
to make sure landscape was not an afterthought, but integral to the scheme. Streetside
trees are used as part of the drainage systems, and natural spaces are made to
be inclusive, accessible and enjoyable - making the most of the riverside
ecology.
“The landscape focus was evidenced throughout
the masterplan which looked right down to the detail of the salt runoff from
the roads and what plants will best suit this environment. This meant attention
to landscape was not just an aspiration but seen as vital to the wellbeing of
the residents, the wider community, and those in future, with a view to how
this site will appear in ten years, twenty years, or even in two generations.”
1st
placed winner - Team M: Aidana
Roberts, Cardiff University; Brian Cheuk Yan Ho, University of Bath; Chian Ying
Xuan, University of Sheffield; Dakari Brathwaite, University of West London;
Kersten Chandy Mathew, Cardiff University, Milda Klimanskyte; University of
West London, Oisin Higgins, University College Dublin.
Andy von Bradsky, head of architecture
with MHCLG: “We felt this scheme was a
comprehensive response to all senses of the brief. We were really excited to
the commitment to the sense of place and community, with an aim to create a
place which would be a gem in the future of Sutherland. It really understood
the context, the wider area, even looking to how it may compensate for lack of
facilities elsewhere in the city to be not just satisfying for the people who
live there, but a place to visit for the wider area.
“The design considers the riverside location
to enhance the environmental, social and design value for their communities and
comprehensively addresses the technical, landscape and carbon aspects of their
house and masterplan, making this scheme almost buildable. It would give real
design teams a run through their money.”
The Riverside University Design Challenge (#RSUDC21) came together through the combined efforts of Sunderland City Council, Timber Development UK (TTF and TRADA), and MOBIE. All entries to the competition are viewable on the Confederation of Timber Industries website.
