Master of Architecture MArch (RIBA PT II) graduate Rob Forsey has won the award for best Architecture project in the Global Design Graduate Show (GDGS) 2023 for his project that tackles the water and agricultural crises in the Italian region of Puglia.
The project looks to revive an ancient farming technique where livestock migrate in time with the climate. Not only would this allow the struggling agricultural sector to thrive, but will also support the communities living in the area. Rob designed large walkways that protect and transport livestock while also acting as a basis for a new aqueduct system that can support a series of new farming settlements.
About the project Rob said: “The project looks at an intersection of a few issues. There is a severe desertification problem in the region, where Puglia is disproportionally affected by climate change, meaning it has become very dry and arid and rainfall has become more erratic. With these droughts, the water systems there are struggling. The whole region has a very rich history of agriculture, but a lot of the livestock farms are failing, so I have looked at how we could try and address the agricultural and water issues at the same time, through a more considered infrastructure reflecting Puglia’s new climate.”
Rob began the project during his year at Westminster while on a research trip to the Italian region of Puglia. The students were given the freedom to explore the whole region, with support from their studio leads. While driving around the Italian countryside with his course mates, he came across an abandoned quarry and began to think about how the material could be used to filter water and the project went from there.
About winning the award Rob added: “I am very happy as there were a lot of hours put into it, so it is really great to see that it has been well received.”
In collaboration with Gucci, the initiative was open to all Art and Design students who graduated in 2023. The digital platform ARTS THREAD collaborated with GDGS and GUCCI in 2020 and since then the initiative has grown, with industry professionals selecting the winners each year.
It is the biggest online showcase of graduating artists and designers worldwide. This year, almost 6000 Art and Design undergraduates, graduates and postgraduates entered their work for consideration, from 114 nationalities and 472 Art and Design universities and colleges worldwide. The applicants were shortlisted to 600 by a panel of independent expert judges before it went to a public vote, where over 200,000 votes were cast.
All winners will have their work showcased in a virtual gallery hosted by Google Arts and Culture. The collaboration with Google Arts and Culture means that students’ work will reach a further audience which can help launch their independent businesses or gain employment within the creative industries.
Speaking about Westminster, Rob added: “I have loved my time at Westminster. You’re in the heart of the city, and being in London is just so great for the people you meet; the tutors, the people that come in and guest-critique your work. We were exposed to such cutting-edge voices in the industry, and we really felt part of quite a prestigious community.”
Find out more about Westminster’s School of Architecture + Cities.
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