AJ Student Prize 2024: University of Edinburgh

About

Undergraduate

Jessica Zhan

Course BA/MA (Hons) Architecture
Studio/unit brief Civic Structures
Project title Let’s Play: Leith Civic Centre and Social Housing

Project description The proposal centres around the concept of ‘play’ as a vehicle for learning, creative practice and memory-making. It combines an upgraded space for Leith Toy Hospital, a toy library, storytelling centre and outdoor playground with social housing above. Bridging gaps across age, social class and cultural backgrounds, the toy library and playground’s upcycled equipment grants children of all backgrounds equal access to self-directed play. Play is also reflected in the building’s structure: loadbearing masonry creates a frame onto which bio-based and reclaimed ‘dressings’ are placed. Residents have agency to dress their homes, allowing the building to transform as needs change.

Tutor citation Jessica’s project has taken the brief and expanded on it wonderfully, showing extraordinary rigour and tenacity in the strategy’s resolution and detail. The result is a robust, flexible and joyful intergenerational building.
Kieran Hawkins, Nicky Thomson, Darren Park

Postgraduate

Andong Guo, Bolun Hua, Shiyu Zhang

Course MArch Architecture
Studio/unit brief Close Encounters: Berlin
Project title Hybrid Networks: Embassy of Nonhuman Beings

Project description In Tiergarten, Berlin, an undeveloped green space becomes a home for ‘animate beings’. The project adapts Bruno Latour’s concept of an Actor Network and proposes that the voiceless are empowered with the same rights as humans. The embassy invites mammals, birds, insects and vegetation into Lützowplatz Park for sanctuary, while their activities are monitored by scientists. The result is a nature-dominated landscape woven within the urban tapestry. Architectural interventions include a bird tower, greenhouse/research lab and co-housing.

Tutor citation This group project shows excellent creative work asking fundamental questions about sustainability and biodiversity. The presentation, viewed through the eyes of non-humans, is inventive and thoughtful.
Andrea Faed, Miguel Paredes Maldonado, Andrew Brooks, Jack Green