The Architects’ Journal Architecture News & Buildings
About
Location Aberdeen | ARB/RIBA courses BSc/MA (Hons) Architecture, MArch Architecture | Head of school Peter Exley | Full-time tutors 10 | Part-time tutors 12 | Students 171 | Staff to student ratio 1:11 | Bursaries available Yes
Undergraduate
Mikołaj Kiestrzyń, Connor Black
Course BSc/MA (Hons) Architecture
Studio/unit brief Civic Energy Hub in Torry, Aberdeen (Studio 5)
Project title Blank Canvas
Project description This scheme aims to bring the community together through art and self-expression, offering large parts of the site and building as blank canvases for anyone to paint on – also reintroducing trust between the local authorities and residents of Torry, Aberdeen. Further, it aims to encourage visitors to exhibitions and artist-led workshops. Cylindrical forms of a CHP plant provide large, mural-sized canvases for more ambitious pieces, while the new public parks come to life with a cascading gallery of canvases presented towards the riverside. This outdoor gallery connects the site with the underappreciated Nigg Bay coastal path and beyond.
Tutor citation The success of this project is in finding a balance between distinct brief requirements in one coherent project. The quality of the final design has professional-level sophistication and detail resolution. Silvia Bassanese
Postgraduate
Obiajulu Umeji
Course MArch Architecture
Studio/unit brief Sustainable Living Waterfront (Studio 4)
Project title Re-Rigged
Project description Located at Aberdeen’s historic harbour, Re-Rigged is a call to action. This project addresses concerns about sustainability by harnessing the end-of-life cycle of offshore industrial assets. It is crafted from 90 per cent recycled oil and gas platforms – rigs that are either no longer operational or nearing decommission. Its exposed structure serves as a reminder of the city’s contribution to the energy supply and draws alternative energy – hydrogen and wind power – from the North Sea. It creates a dynamic space where visitors and locals can converge, fostering social interaction and learning about the city’s maritime history and its future.
Tutor citation Obiajulu’s project symbolises the drive towards energy transition. This project honours Aberdeen’s legacy as Europe’s oil and gas capital while exemplifying a visionary shift towards a sustainable, green energy future. It’s a testament to the city’s resilience and forward-thinking spirit. Neil Lamb
