AJ Student Prize 2022: Newcastle University

About the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape

Location Newcastle upon Tyne • Courses BA (Hons) Architecture, MArch • Head of school Paola Gazzola • Full-time tutors 30 • Part-time tutors 7 • Students 614 • Staff to student ratio 1:16

Undergraduate

Joyce Lam

Course BA (Hons) Architecture
Studio/unit brief Ghost in the Machine: Revisiting Redcar
Project title Wind-Turbine Recycle Centre

Project description This project uses a wind-turbine life cycle to help regenerate Redcar. Teesside used to be the centre of steel and industrial activities but now seems deserted. This former industrial area is to become a new turbine blade manufacturing factory. Wind turbines have a life span of 25 years, and the rapid installation rate indicates a similar decommissioning rate is expected. The project seeks to improve the connectivity of Teesside Freeport and the town centre, reduce wind turbine manufacturing waste, and help promote its recycled products internationally.

Tutor citation Joyce’s project addresses the challenge of a technical landscape, and recognises the possibilities for sea freight arising from the recent decision to create the Teesside Freeport. It works across global, regional, local and human scales, and integrates technical innovation with sustainable placemaking. Matthew Margetts

Postgraduate

Jake Williams-Deoraj

Course MArch
Studio/unit brief Edge Conditions
Project title Turning the Tides on Avian Decline: The Coastal Realignment of the Lower Forth Estuary

Project description The Firth of Forth’s ecology is under threat. Agricultural land takeover has continued to consume natural intertidal habitats over the past 300 years, meaning the population of native and wintering bird species has declined drastically. These saltmarshes and mudflats also offer natural flood defence, erosion protection and carbon capture. The project proposes large-scale coastal realignment of the lower estuary, establishing saltmarsh habitats by reclaiming agricultural land. An extension of this is a three-phase programme over a 30-year period integrated within St Margaret’s Marsh.

Tutor citation Jake exceeded the brief’s expectations, delivering a sensitive project with a thoughtfully developed narrative around environmental and architectural strategies to address avian decline around the Forth, where pollution, urbanisation and rising sea levels have become a threat to many species. Christos Kakalis and Iván Márquez Muñoz