Showcasing ideas beyond the studio in Architecture
What could you achieve during your Architecture degree? For Architecture BA (Hons) student Humera, it meant exhibiting their work in London as one of the youngest contributors to the Align Network exhibition. From developing bold ideas to putting their work forward on a professional stage, their story shows what’s possible when you take opportunities and run with them.
What did it mean to you to have your project selected for the Align Network exhibition in London?
Being selected as the youngest exhibitors made the experience particularly significant. It positioned my work within a professional context much earlier than expected and gave me a clear benchmark of where I stand at this stage of my degree. Rather than just feeling like recognition, it acted as confirmation that my approach to design is already operating at a level that can hold its own in a wider architectural conversation.
Being selected acted as confirmation that my approach to design is already operating at a level that can hold its own in a wider architectural conversation.
Can you tell me a bit about the project you exhibited and the ideas behind it?
The project, Ecotect Pavilion, is a conceptual intervention in Avondale Park designed to reconnect people with their immediate environment. It responds directly to growing environmental concerns by creating a space that encourages awareness, interaction, and responsibility towards the ecosystem. Its location next to a school was intentional- the project is not just about passive experience, but about embedding environmental thinking early, using architecture as an educational and behavioural tool rather than just a physical structure.
How did it feel seeing your work - especially the flythrough - presented publicly?
The flythrough was originally intended as a simple introduction to the project, so seeing it become the primary visual on display was unexpected. Being the only moving piece on screen gave it a different level of presence, and it shifted how people engaged with the work. It made me realise the impact of how a project is communicated, not just how it is designed.
I was introduced to Align Network through my tutors at LSBU. What mattered more, however, was choosing to act on that opportunity.
How did you first hear about Align Network - was this something connected to your time at LSBU?
I was introduced to Align Network through my tutors at LSBU during its launch. What mattered more, however, was choosing to act on that opportunity. I submitted my work independently, which reflects an approach I’ve developed during my time at university - consistently putting my work forward rather than waiting to be selected.
What role has your experience at LSBU played in helping you get to this point?
LSBU has shaped my approach by pushing me to stay engaged, responsive, and self-directed. Beyond the academic work itself, learning to recognise and act on opportunities has been critical. This experience is a direct result of that mindset- treating exposure and participation as part of the design process, not something separate from it.
LSBU has shaped my approach by pushing me to stay engaged, responsive, and self-directed.
Did anything from the exhibition change how you're thinking about your future in architecture?
The exhibition reinforced that architecture operates far beyond the boundaries of construction alone. Engaging with industry professionals and seeing postgraduate work highlighted the level of conceptual thinking required to progress further. It shifted my perspective from seeing architecture as purely problem-solving to understanding it as a discipline that also involves speculation, narrative, and imagination. That shift has made me more intentional about developing ideas, not just outcomes.