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We are thrilled at the news that UWTSD first-year Architecture students have won first prize in an international design competition set by the Students Climate Action Network (StuCAN) - the student-led branch of the Architects Climate Action Network (ACAN).

As part of a multidisciplinary field trip to Craig y Nos Country Park, UWTSD Architecture students were tasked with designing a mobile climate action headquarters in response to a live competition brief issued by StuCAN. With an impressive 137 entries submitted from across 11 countries, the winning proposal - ‘Tangled Roots’ - stood out to the esteemed jury for its elegance, adaptability, and powerful message.

The judging panel, comprised of leaders in sustainable design - including Brigitte Clements (Loki Architecture), Nick Newman (Studio Bark and U-Build), Aude Azzi (Stiff+Trevillion, Athar Collective), Jonathan Irawan (Hassell Studio), Kelly Harrison (Whitby Wood), and Anzir Boodoo (Climate Action Leeds) - praised the design for its thoughtful response to the brief and alignment with climate action values.

“Tangled Roots is a beautifully considered response that embodies the very spirit of what this competition set out to inspire,” the judges commented. “It creates not just a structure, but a platform - for connection, dialogue, activism, and community.”

The winning team, led by student Luc Harris, reflected on the experience:

“This is an incredible honour. The competition was both challenging and fun, allowing us to explore architecture from a new perspective - sustainability and transportability - empowering us to better shape the future. Thank you to everyone at StuCAN for such an engaging brief and to UWTSD for the opportunity to visit Craig y Nos Country Park which deeply informed our design.”

Academic Director Rhian Jenkins celebrated the success as a milestone for collaborative education:

“The multidisciplinary trip to Craig y Nos involving Architecture, Environment and Photography students was a fantastic example of how working across programmes brings new energy and insight. The news that our students won the international StuCAN competition was the cherry on the cake. We’re incredibly proud of their achievement.”

The winning team has been awarded a plaque, a £200 cash prize, and a copy of Materials: An Environmental Primer, generously donated by Hattie Hartman, Sustainability Editor at The Architects’ Journal.

There are exciting possibilities on the horizon. Architects Climate Action Network (ACAN) is currently exploring the feasibility of realising the ‘Tangled Roots’ design as a built project, potentially bringing the mobile climate action headquarters to life at Craig y Nos - subject to securing funding.

Ian Standen, Programme Director for Architecture, said:

“We look forward to working with StuCAN to realise the design in built form, ideally at Craig y Nos - a fitting setting to communicate the public impacts of climate change. This project is a brilliant example of how we prepare our students to face future challenges with creativity and confidence. Congratulations to Luc Harris and Tom Williams on this outstanding achievement!”

Further Information

Mared Anthony

Communications and PR Officer: Alumni Relations   
Corporate Communications and PR    
Email: mared.anthony@uwtsd.ac.uk    
Phone: +447482256996