FEATURE SKILLS & EDUCATION
A Glimpse of the Future The winners and highly commended of the Riverside Sunderland University Design Challenge (#RSUDC21) were recently announced following an incredibly competitive six-month event.
F
rom a group of more than 300 students from 39
of construction and inclusive design would deliver a truly sustainable
universities and 27 interdisciplinary teams, the winners
community. The winning team was Team M comprising of: Aidana Roberts
of #RSUDC21 were selected following a live event
(Cardiff University), Brian Cheuk Yan Ho (University of Bath), Chian Ying
where students presented their projects to a panel of
Xuan (University of Sheffield) Dakari Brathwaite (University of West
expert judges representing the best of UK construction. #RSUDC21 encouraged students to design, engineer, plan and cost a
London) Kersten Chandy Mathew (Cardiff University), Milda Klimanskyte (University of West London) and Oisin Higgins (University College Dublin). Andy von Bradsky, Head of Architecture at MHCLG said: “We felt this
three-bedroom family home along with an indicative masterplan for 100 homes which meet RIBA2030 Climate Challenge targets. Riverside Sunderland is a major regeneration site in the city centre, that
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
stands on the edge of the Wear. Transformation is being led by Sunderland
an aim to create a place which would be a gem in the future of Sutherland.
City Council. Underpinned by £100 million from Legal & General, Riverside
It really understood the context, the wider area, even looking to how it may
Sunderland will be a vibrant new urban quarter, with 1,000 ultra-sustainable
compensate for lack of facilities elsewhere in the city to be not just satisfying
homes, 1m sq ft of office space and exciting new places to play and enjoy.
for the people who live there, but a place to visit for the wider area. “The design considers the riverside location to enhance the
Students from across the UK were invited in this competition to collaborate, innovate, and create future-facing designs which reimagine
environmental, social and design value for their communities and
how residents might live, work, and play together in beautiful, low-
comprehensively addresses the technical, landscape and carbon aspects
carbon, and multi-generational housing. Designs from the teams include
of their house and masterplan, making this scheme almost buildable. It
landscapes and streetscapes with green and open spaces against the
would give real design teams a run for their money.” Team M said: “We’ve found this challenge hugely rewarding from
backdrop of Riverside Sunderland, while making use of low-carbon materials with timber and timber-hybrid systems the main material focus.
technical, team collaboration and social perspectives. Industry experts from
The judges felt that the standard of entries was exceptionally high
the lectures organised by Tabitha Binding TTF/TRADA/TDUK have provided
and that all of the teams excelled in creating designs that connected with
incredible insight into all things sustainable construction, architecture,
the history and ambition of the area and imagined how modern methods
landscaping, urban design, project management, cost consulting as well as;
Timber Construction Magazine
Autumn 2021
16
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