Student awards 2022: the winners have been announced

(27 October 2022) The winners of the 2022 Architecture and Design Scotland and Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland Scottish Student Awards for Architecture have been announced. The winning projects included ideas on tackling the climate emergency through reusing materials, public housing development and responding to urban sprawl.

The winning and commended students were announced at the annual Andy MacMillan Memorial Lecture on Thursday 27 October. The lecture – the Glasgow Affects – was given by Paul Stallan, Design Director of Stallan-Brand, and this year’s guest judge.  

This year’s awards saw over 60 entries from the five Scottish schools for architecture. The entries included projects that span various environments such as cities, canals, and rural and island settings. The projects submitted this year continue to push the boundaries of how design can contribute to a more sustainable future.

Chris Stewart, President of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland, said;

"The Student Awards show off the breadth of talent we have coming through the ranks in Scottish Architecture. It has been a joy to judge the projects this year and I can't wait to see what these rising stars create throughout their careers."

Samantha McCabe, award judge and Architecture and Design Scotland board member said: 

“The Student Awards are an excellent way for us to showcase the talent that exists across Scotland’s schools of architecture and urban design. It has been a pleasure to see the creativity that the students have put towards tackling the significant issues of our times and their approach to creating a more sustainable place for us all to live in and enjoy.”

The judging panel consisted of:

Paul Stallan, Stallan-Brand
Chris Stewart, President RIAS
Ashley Mullen, Scottish Government
Samantha McCabe, Architecture and Design Scotland

The judging panel was supported in the shortlisting process by Architecture and Design Scotland staff members Morag Bain, Emelie Borg and Chiara Fingland.

Three projects were awarded the top prizes across five categories. The full list of commended and highly commended projects is available at the end of this page.

Tackling the climate emergency

Karlis Kukainis from Mackintosh School of Architecture was awarded the Rowand Anderson Silver Medal for best 5th year student for his project “the Pre-landfill”. The judges commented that “With stunning visuals, Pre-Landfill is an extremely well thought out project that explores a renovation strategy of a vacant hospital in Glasgow.”

The Judges thought that this “playful project exhibits the art in architecture and shows that there can be fun beyond science”. It does this by testing the limits of reuse practices of reclaimed materials from demolished buildings which will be key to how we tackle the Climate Emergency.

Reclaimed materials

Karlis Kukainis’ project also won the Architecture and Design Scotland Sustainable Design Award. The judges said that the project explores a renovation strategy, testing the limits of reuse practices of reclaimed materials from demolished buildings. Imperfect materials are embraced over immaculate surfaces challenging the public’s view of decay as a sign of sustainability through longevity. 

Public housing challenges

The winner of the Architecture and Design Scotland award for best 3rd year student was Inka Eismar from Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (ESALA) for “Common Ground | Leith”. The judges commented that “Public housing estates often face physically and socially intertwined challenges.

The proposal by Inka Eismar from ESALA for the New Kirkgate development in Leith introduces a town hall to the fragmented site, with a programme intersecting the local government and grassroots movements that could be an asset to the community and enhance the lives of those people.”

Responding to urban sprawl

Sam Morman, from the University of Dundee, picked up the Urban Design award, as well as the Andy MacMillan drawing award, for his project “The Open Edge”. The judges called the project “Absolutely outstanding. The design project explores a strategic response to urban sprawl by creating a defined settlement edge for the town of Blairgowrie and Rattray.

The Judges admired the hand drawing aspect that allows you to fill in the gaps and creates a free-flowing aesthetic that pays attention to context with careful consideration for the land. The “Elegant set of drawings” meant the project was the very worthy winner of the Andy MacMillan Drawing Award.