Blue sky thinking rewarded at major competition

Two architecture students from the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) at Canterbury have received honourable mentions in a major international skyscraper competition.

The annual contest, which is organised by eVolo Magazine, received 715 entries from 95 different countries and all five continents.

Final year students, Gary Kellett and Akram Fahmi, were praised by the celebrated panel of judges for their projects, which included an innovative coast-scraper and a futuristic underwater structure.

John Bell, course leader for the Graduate Diploma in Architecture, said: "It is a great achievement for Gary and Akram individually, and for the Graduate Diploma at UCA Canterbury, that we have managed to gain two honourable mentions in this prestigious competition.

"They both took strong environmental stances in their submissions and challenged conventional notions of the skyscraper which is why I believe they did so well. Their projects were submitted within the first few weeks of the first semester which makes their achievements all the more gratifying."

The competition recognises outstanding ideas that redefine skyscraper design through the use of new technologies, materials, programs, aesthetics, and spatial organisations, along with studies on globalisation, flexibility, adaptability, and the digital revolution.

It aims to discover young talent, whose ideas will change the way we understand architecture and its relationship with the natural and built environments.

Gary Kellett created a 'Coastscraper' which aims to reduce acid levels in the sea – and protect marine biology - by adding fossilised nutrients to the water via his futuristic machine.

The 25-year-old, from Gorleston-on-Sea in Norfolk, said: "To receive an honourable mention in a design competition of this scale is unbelievable.

"It's clear to see that the standard of work that UCA produces, and encourages, is up there with some of the very best in the world."

Classmate, Akram Fahmi, was also praised for his underwater 'Seascraper,' which constantly navigates the oceans to clean up lost oil plumes and waste which can devastate life below sea-level.

Akram, who is 25 and from Windsor, said: "I am very proud to have done so well in such a prestigious competition. It involved a lot of hard work, and late nights, but it was definitely worth it.

"We really are going places at the School of Architecture at UCA Canterbury, and I think this recognition is a testament to the quality and commitment of the teaching staff and the great facilities we have here."

For more information on each of the projects, plus the full list of winners, you can visit: http://www.evolo.us/category/2011/

For more information contact:

David Reilly, Press Officer, UCA
T: 01252 892939
E: dreilly@ucreative.ac.uk