Architecture students keep on trekking!

A trekking cabin designed by Northumbria University students has been recognised in an international architecture competition.

Architecture students Alex Turner, Andrew Gibbard and Beth Scott were praised for their design, ’Odin’s Retreat’ following a brief to create a clever and inventive trekking cabin that could be duplicated in different terrain while also representing Iceland’s identity.

The competition, in partnership with CDS Nord Property Developers, called on entrants to create a design that was aesthetically pleasing, but which also provided safe, comfortable and inviting lodgings for trekkers. 

Andy Stoane, Senior Lecturer in Architecture and Built Environment at Northumbria, said: “Alex, Beth and Scott were selected for one of six honourable mentions, and were the only student team among an international field of professional architects, which is quite an achievement.”

Alex has also seen further success recently after winning an award for his description of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) mentoring scheme. 

He said: “Following the prescribed mentoring period, I, was employed full time by Faulkner Browns Architects where I worked as an architectural assistant for most of the summer. Aside from this, I worked with my mentor on other endeavours, such as creating an architectural design competition for students, which I am ecstatic to say is now open for entries.

“All in all, the mentoring scheme and the relationships I have made from it within Faulkner Browns, have massively expedited and excelled my architectural learning. It’s been a good few months.” 

As his prize, Alex was awarded a pair of tickets to the Stirling Prize awards ceremony, which takes place in early October.

The University’s Architecture students have also had recent success in the RIBA Journal Magazine competition, having entered the RIBAJ Sterling OSB Habitat Award over the summer. Taylor Grindley and Matthew Glover were commended after being shortlisted and invited to the awards party in London. 

Taylor said: “We are extremely pleased to have been commended and published in the RIBA Journal for our proposal 'M/O Living' which provides a platform for a discussion based on bold ideas and alternative methods of living.

Being Shortlisted from over 30 entries and being placed after two award winning architectural practices from the North East and London, demonstrates an opportunity to showcase the talent from students across all years at Northumbria University.”

For more information on Architecture and Build Environment, please visit: https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/academic-departments/architecture-and-built-environment/