Architecture student shortlisted for the Architects’ Journal Student Prize 2019

Graduating BA (Hons) Interior Design Environment Architectures student Joshua Welch has been shortlisted for the Architects’ Journal Student Prize 2019 — an annual competition to celebrate the next generation of outstanding architects. 

Architects’ Journal is one of the UK's leading architecture magazines and aims to be ‘the voice of architecture in Britain’. The prize was launched in 2018, showcasing the work of UK RIBA-accredited architecture institutions, as well as universities like Ravensbourne that currently hold RIBA-candidacy status. 

Joshua is among 93 entrants handpicked by their universities to compete for the Architects’ Journal Student Prize, with a winning proposal selected from undergraduate students, postgraduate students and those eligible for the newly launched Sustainability Award. 

The entrants will be judged by an expert panel which includes Pippa Nissen of Nissen Richards Studio, Ed Fowles of Feilden Fowles Architects, Ken Okonkwo of Haworth Tompkins and Meredith Bowles of Mole Architects. The nominated students will then attend a celebration in central London in late September where the winners will be announced. 

Joshua’s proposal is a personal project that helped him rediscover his heritage and identity. The discovery of a photo of his mother and her paternal great-grandmother encouraged him to explore his Chinese heritage, designing a tribute to Chinese traditions in the form of a cultural building inspired by teahouse culture in the heart of London’s Chinatown. 

Commenting on his design, Josh explained, “Having been nominated for the Architects’ Journal Student Award in the first year Ravensbourne have entered the competition is overwhelming. The support from my tutors was truly incredible — the difference in quality versus my first and final year is kind of crazy. The independence given by the course helped shape my own work and that was key to my own success. I not only had the freedom to explore my own personal heritage, the support I received throughout the process was empowering. I am thankful to anyone who was a part of that journey.”

Idrees Rasouli, Course Leader for BA (Hons) Interior Design Environment Architectures added, “Josh used every opportunity available to him on the course to learn and apply design for the better of our society. He has developed to become a successful student, winning awards and receiving recognitions such as this. I am confident that he will continue to achieve much more through his creativity and hard work.”