Selvei Al-Assadi from Studio 8 of our postgraduate diploma in architecture course has been awarded a Silver Medal commendation in the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) President's Medals competition.
This award was given by an international panel of judges considering 200 entries to what is the best known and most prestigious design competition for architecture students in the world. The judges were Nanako Umemoto (principal of New York-based practice Reiser + Umemoto), Willem Neutelings of Neutelings and Riedijk (well known for their media and campus buildings), Oliver Richards (RIBA Vice-President for Education and partner in ORMS), and Eric Parry (of award winning practice, Eric Parry and Partners).
The last ten years have seen a dramatic change in the scale and scope of the Medals competition. Entries are invited not just from the 120 or so RIBA-recognised schools of architecture in the UK and internationally, but pre-eminent schools on five continents. Medals are given for the best design scheme at Bachelors level (the Bronze Medal), with the Silver Medal awarded to postgraduate students. In case anyone was wondering, the RIBA Gold Medal is awarded only to practicing architects! To even be nominated by one's school for the Medals is considered a great honour.
Selvei's success follows her work being exhibited in this year's Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. Both the RA work (a beautiful laser-etched glass model), and the project submitted to the RIBA formed part of her proposal for a semi-public Media City: Vertical Discovery in Leicester Square. The project recognised that many people come to Leicester Square, but few have an incentive to stay; the MC:VD seeks to change that.
Selvei's work will be exhibited at the RIBA, 66 Portland Place, London W1 from 02 December 2009. Lilly Kudic (Studio 8 leader) and all colleagues in architecture would like to congratulate Selvei on her achievements over the past year, and wish her every success in her professional career. Her commendation continues LSBU's record of success in the President's Medals competition with two Bronze Medal winners, two Bronze Medal runners up, a Silver Medal online winner, and the Serjeant Prize for drawing.
Posted: 26 November 2009
Connect with LSBU
