Students win prestigious Creative and Innovative Design awards

Two groups of Solent students were particularly distinguished, each securing awards for Most Creative Design and Most Innovative Response to the Client Brief.

One group of students won the Most Creative Design award for their visionary project – a Homeless Rehabilitation Centre in Southampton – developed as part of a live brief from YMCA. The brief challenged students to design a rehabilitation centre for individuals experiencing homelessness, and the group’s design was praised for its striking aesthetic, thoughtful spatial arrangements, and use of effective sustainable social strategies. The centre’s layout emphasised accessibility and dignity, incorporating communal spaces for group therapy, private areas for counselling, and green spaces that promote well-being and social engagement.

“What we tried to achieve was not just a building but an environment, one in which users felt a sense security and comfort. With these aims in mind, we soon realised that a circular design would greatly benefit the project. This way, the mass of the building would create a controlled perimeter allowing users to take advantage of the middle outdoor space without too much interference from the public. Another reason we opted for this shape was to maximise material efficiency, which contributed to our sustainability aims. The task that my team and I were given challenged our abilities, not only to work as a team but to provide a creative solution to tackle such an important social issue. We were very honoured to be recognised for our efforts and we are very proud of what we were able to accomplish as a team,” one winning student stated.

The second group of students won the Most Innovative Response to Client Brief award for their approach to the same project. Their design focused on practical, sustainable, and flexible solutions for the rehabilitation centre’s unique challenges. They were able to demonstrate how their design would function in real time, addressing both the immediate needs of the client and the long-term goals of the project.

“Designing the YMCA shelter for the sustainable design module was a rewarding experience, fuelled by creativity, innovation, and a shared sense of responsibility. Working closely with Corstorphine & Wright and YMCA, we focused on creating a space that would have a positive social impact. The collaboration and hard work of everyone involved brought the vision to life, delivering a design that fosters community, wellness, and growth,” one of the winning students said.

CEO of YMCA Bournemouth “Gareth Sherwood” praised both groups for their empathetic approach to the project and their ability to balance creative vision with practical solutions. Dai Hannaford, the director of CW Architects commended the innovative use of technology and sustainability, noting that the students’ designs were not only beautiful but also highly functional.

“This year’s awards have highlighted the incredible talent coming out of Southampton Solent University,” said Dr Monkiz Khasreen, Course Leader of the Architecture and Technology courses. “The students’ ability to creatively address such complex challenges while incorporating cutting-edge technology demonstrates the quality of education they receive here and their readiness to make a difference in the world of architecture.”

The success of these two student groups highlights the growing reputation of Southampton Solent University’s architecture and technology courses. Through real-world briefs and collaborations with local organisations like YMCA, the university continues to foster the next generation of architects and technologists who are poised to shape the future of the built environment.

The award winners are as follows:

Most Innovative Design: Isabelle Massey, Lydia Johnstone, Greg O'shea, Ewan Hawks, Priytam Mistry and Allez Leonie

Most Creative Design: Ryan Brett, Nadya Idrisarria, Wisnu Putra, Dimalya Radiva and Natanael Abad

For more information about Southampton Solent University’s Architecture and Technology courses, visit their website