Student achievements highlighted at end of year awards

Jonathon Meldrum collected the CIAT AspirATion Award for Best Project Stage 4 for his designs at a prize giving ceremony at the school.

Jonathon, who graduated with a degree in Architectural Technology in July this year and works at Graham Mitchell Architects, said he was happy with his work but didn’t expect an award to come with it.

He said: “The design brief called for a sports recuperation centre to be built across the river from the RGU Garthdee campus, as part of a wider plan to create a sports centre on the site of the derelict steading.

“We focused on designing a space that could host a full suite of hydrotherapy equipment including resistance pools, salt baths and a plunge pool, as well as a sauna, massage cubicles and a gym. This was able to give the facility a mixed appeal and to give people with both physical and mental ailments a place to rest and recover.

“This universal coverage of injuries and health was hoped to give it the broadest possible appeal and use to people in Aberdeen and its surroundings. The design kept the envelope of the existing steading on the site and expanded it in order to keep a close sense of scale both inside and out.

“This led to the creation of several small courtyards round the building that are open and free for anyone to use, and planned landscaping and vegetation means that the privacy of those inside isn’t compromised. Several of the wings facing the river are also elevated to give views of the adjacent River Dee.

“The second term saw us focus on specific areas of the building in detail to see what issues may come up with buildings of this nature. I focused on detailing the building to have a construction build up that would stop water vapour from the interior compromise the building’s efficiency. I also looked at different heating and ventilation methods and looked at ways these systems could be integrated into the building without causing issue or leading to the building being underutilised.”

Course leader of Architectural Technology at the Scott Sutherland School, Dr Jonathan Scott, said the award was well deserved.

He said: “Jonathon’s design respected the original character of the site, incorporating the existing structure and rejuvenating the site. The materials, design and innovation behind the project was very well thought out and delivered to a high standard.”

A number of awards were presented on the evening, with members of local council and industry attending to present some of the winning students –

• Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Award, Best Surveying student – Iain Phimister
• The Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) Awards, Best graduating student Architectural Technology – Harry Warren
• The CIAT AspirATion Award Best Project Stage 3 – Alec Marwick
• The CIAT AspirATion Award Best Project Stage 4 – Jonathon Meldrum
• David Young Memorial Prize – Jordan Thomas and Giorgia Murray
• Simpson Shield, Technology Award for Stage 1 student – Kat Stewart and Bailey Mone
• The City of Aberdeen Medal for Civic Architecture – Domantas Petrauskas
• Aberdeen Society of Architects Silver Medal – Chester Kendell and Andrew McKinnon
• Aberdeen Society of Architects The Harbourne McLennan Prize – Megan Watson-Foster
• CIOB prize for Best Stage 2 Construction Management student – Bukola Adeoye
• CIOB prize for Best Stage 3/4 Construction Management student – Benjamin Brezina
• George Gregory Prize for Architecture Stage 1 - Tadhg Charles
• Most promising Built Environment Student winner – Ellen Glennie
• Best Built Environment Stage 2 Student – Matthew Johnson
• Best Architecture  Stage 2 Student – Connor Downie
• John B Johnstone Prize Best Student Overall – Hugh Fish
• Graeme McRobbie First Year Studio Prize – Tadhg Charles
• Best Building Surveying dissertation – Michael Vannet