Scholarship success for architecture student

An architecture student from Northumbria University has been named as one of five students from across the country to be awarded a prestigious scholarship by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and Wren Insurance Association.

Liam Philpot, who is currently in the final year of his Masters in Architecture after completing the Architecture BA (Hons) programme at Northumbria, will receive £7,500 and the opportunity to be mentored by an architect member of the Wren Insurance Association.

The RIBA Wren Insurance Association Scholarships have been awarded annually since 2013. The Wren is an Architects’ Professional Indemnity Insurance Mutual. The scholarship is open to students in their final year, with Liam selected alongside some of his peers from the University of Cambridge and Central Saint Martins (UAL) in London. The application process included presenting a portfolio of work to a panel of five judges who are all senior figures within the industry. Recipients may use the scholarship in a variety of ways, from elaborating on an existing research interest to looking at how they might develop new ideas within their field.

For 24-year-old Liam, from Hebburn in South Tyneside, the scholarship will allow him to develop his research into the impact architecture and the built environment has on children and child development, particularly through opportunities to learn and play.

Speaking about the scholarship, Liam said: “I am incredibly honoured to be selected as one of the recipients of the RIBA Wren Scholarship this year. The support and mentorship offered will be invaluable throughout my final year studies, which will significantly enhance my academic journey with the financial aid to take on a more experimental practice.

“This opportunity will also aid my developing research plans and contribute to the costs of delivering more ambitious wider engagement strategies. I’d like to express my gratitude and appreciation to RIBA and the Wren Insurance Association for providing me with this opportunity, and to those at Northumbria who have supported and encouraged me throughout. I’m really looking forward to the academic year ahead.”

Liam’s studies to date have enabled him to gain practical experience as well as opportunities to work on design briefs to prepare him for life in the industry. During his time at Northumbria, he has explored projects looking at the impact of restoring wetland habitats in communities across Northumberland, and understanding how urban planning practices can better prioritise children’s developmental needs during the design of play spaces in the North East.

Kelly MacKinnon, Associate Professor in Architecture and one of Liam’s design studio tutors, said: “We are delighted to see Liam achieve such success through this national award of an RIBA Wren Insurance Association Scholarship.

“This RIBA scholarship will provide Liam the opportunity to develop his research interests into his final year of Masters, exploring child development and play and how urban environments can be developed to be centred around children’s needs, whilst collaborating with academic staff and local communities on live projects in the region.

“Liam took an alternative route to university through the Plan BEE apprenticeship with Ryder Architecture and proves a wonderful role model for the profession: achieving recognition for his talent, skills and ambition to make a difference through his career in architecture.”

Professor Ashraf Salama, Head of Department for Architecture and Built Environment, said: “Our Masters in Architecture course fulfils the ARB/RIBA Part II requirements for professional accreditation and enables students to develop the higher level skills of design and research needed to support self-directed architectural design projects, and to shape their future career.

“It’s wonderful to see students like Liam build on their own interests within the diverse areas of the architecture profession while they are with us. His focus and high quality of his work demonstrate excellence and he is an exemplar to his fellow students. I look forward to seeing Liam flourish further during his final year of study, which will now be boosted by access to this prestigious scholarship.”

The scholarships are designed to support outstanding architecture students who have the potential to make a significant contribution to the future of the profession. The next round of applications will open in the spring of 2025.

Chris Bennie, Chairman of the Wren Insurance Association, said: “The portfolio submissions in the applications for the Wren scholarship have been of the highest quality once again, exhibiting a breadth and diversity of vision which offers reassurance that the future of the profession is in safe hands. It continues to be our privilege to help nurture this talent through our awards, which alongside our offer of mentoring, will help to support them in their chosen fields during the final years of study." 

RIBA President Muyiwa Oki said: “Thanks to the continued, generous contribution of the Wren Insurance Association, these five exceptional students will receive funding and mentoring to help them reach their full potential. I congratulate them all, and I look forward to seeing what they go on to achieve in their studies and careers, boosted by the support our scholarship offers.” 

The Department of Architecture and Built Environment at Northumbria University offers professionally accredited degree programmes taught in state-of-the-art studios and workshops. Discover more about the range of study programmes available at Northumbria by visiting www.northumbria.ac.uk/architecture