Gold award for student architect

7th August 2013

A budding architect at Sheffield Hallam University has scooped a top award from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

Suki Sehmbi, 21, was given the Gold Prize in the undergraduate category of RIBA Yorkshire's Student Awards 2013 for his design that sought to improve the economy, environment and architecture in the seaside town of Whitby. His award-winning project looked at generating business and economic growth through the design of a regenerated site to encourage more fishing vessels to import and export through the area, with predicted profits making room for further developments. The project would be based around the marina close to the mouth of the River Esk. A judging panel of professional architects from across the region commended Suki's design for showing a 'successful understanding, study and making of place in response to the social context of Whitby's maritime heritage.' Projects were also submitted by students from other universities across the region. Suki said: "It's a great honour to be collecting this award. To win gold in the RIBA Yorkshire category is a great achievement for both myself and for Sheffield Hallam. I could never have guessed that this project would have been selected as the best in the Yorkshire region as it was only two months ago that I was frantically assembling it to hand in as part of my final portfolio. "This project and this award, in my view, would not have been possible without such a supportive group of tutors and friends, as well as the nurturing environment of the architecture department at Sheffield Hallam." Gabriel Tang, Sheffield Hallam's course leader for architecture, said: -We are thrilled about Suki winning Gold in this year's White Rose RIBA Awards. This achievement is the culmination of his hard work, talent and reflects the quality of architecture teaching at Sheffield Hallam. His determination and diligence has paid off. He has made us very proud!