This years Student Prize was a collaboration with Cardiff University.

Andy MacFee represented University Design Forum (formerly HEDQF) and worked in collaboration with Dr Hiral Patel who leads the Learning Environments Design Research Laboratory. at Cardiff.

Andy provided tutorial support and critical review of the students work throughout the academic year 2021-2022 and led selection process and award of the student prizes on behalf of the Forum.

The Prizewinners for 2022 were:

1st prize - £800 : Yijing Zhuang 'Biodiverse Campus'

A thoughtful, creative, highly credible and realistic project, founded on good
research into the benefits of biodiversity for human wellbeing. The proposition
includes imaginative and attractive ideas for transforming existing University
building roofs and facades. An ‘ecological staircase’ connects ‘nodes’ of new
activity and lush hydroponically planted amenity spaces. The existing concrete and
glass structure becomes a place for vegetable and fruit gardens, cafe roof terraces,
workshop and display spaces, shared study rooms and rooftop yoga classes.

2nd Prize - £500 : Le Ma  'Learning Terminals'

An ambitious project that imagines a masterplan network of ‘Learning Terminals’
located at transport and educational interchanges across the city of Cardiff. The
University is a stakeholder in each Terminal. The idea is to provide accessible
social learning space for all residents and visitors to Cardiff. For people to have the
opportunity to access information and educational resources promoted by the
university, whilst going about their daily lives, traveling from place to place. The
central Terminal is located above the tracks at Cathay Campus station.

3rd Prize - £300 : Fangyi Ke 'House of Cards'

A joyful project proposed to enrich the University campus with numerous installations
at various scales. Founded in extensive research into student wellbeing and
collaborative workshops with many students. The conceptual framework is a pack of
playing cards. These cards are scaled, appropriated, ingeniously composed and slot
jointed to create a distinctive range of structures for student use. From entertainment
and exhibition pavilions to private study spaces and personal bookshelves, the
House of Cards suite creates a memorable identity across the campus.

4th Prize - £150 : Xinyue Hong 'Imagination Campus'

An imaginative project that proposes the physical and virtual transformation of the
campus circulation areas, inside and out. The idea is to create enchanting, instructive
spaces and routes to discover and to explore in collective and individual experience.
Thereby to enrich and stimulate the time students and staff spend walking between
lectures and classes. To promote social and academic interaction on routes from
Centre for Student Life, via Main Building courtyard, foyer and corridors through to a
multilayered transformation of Alexandra Gardens at the heart of campus.

Honorable mention - Chenxiao Dai Lecture Theatre

We felt worthy of an , this project is founded on extremely thorough research of alternative lecture theatre configurations and varied teaching and learning study spaces. The project aims to combine these research discoveries into alternative lecture theatre remodeling proposals. These are all intended to greatly improve flexibility and space utilization. This is obviously an area of great interest for so many Universities.

2022 Student Prize Report