Hannah Ismail, final-year Master of Architecture (MArch) (RIBA pt II) student at the University of Westminster, has been named the winner of the LDA Design Bursary scheme for her project that addresses the pressing issue of wildfires. She has been awarded £2,000 and a four-week paid work placement at one of LDA Design's eight studios.
The Bursary aims to support students in the UK who face financial and other challenges in pursuing further education. The competition challenged applicants to present innovative solutions to environmental, economic and social inequalities across the UK. In her project Great Glen Resilience and Integration Toolkit (G.R.I.T), Hannah tackled the growing issue of wildfires in the Regenerative Britain Bursary Challenge. Developed in MArch Design Studio 18, taught by John Cook, Ben Pollock and Laura Nica, the project focused on north-west Inverness, Scotland, where there are rising temperatures and increased periods of drought, resulting in the likelihood of extreme wildfires.
Hannah’s proposition was for a fire station that also serves as a civic hub, incorporating community spaces. The building would host courses on wildfires and associated topics such as soil restoration and land management, to reduce the future risk. It would also address the decline of funding for Scottish Fire and Rescue over the past decade.
Hannah said of her project: “It challenges the material and spatial relationships and implications of fire as a fundamental source for survival and as a threat to survival. At a master plan scale, fire spread is tested through a set of proving grounds. At an architectural scale, a multimodal programme is deployed across the year, including an in-house fire and rescue service, public fire educational facilities and lastly, in the event of a wildfire, an emergency shelter is deployed capable of housing 3000 local inhabitants.”
Great Glen Resilience and Integration Toolkit (G.R.I.T) plan
The judges commented: "This is a fantastic response to an issue that is becoming more common throughout the United Kingdom, and across the world. The panel thought your toolkit concisely outlined the wide-ranging ecological and economic benefits of the multi-functional fire station, whilst also taking a holistic and fully integrated approach to wildfire response and land management. The graphics accompanying the text were also crisp, clear and explained your idea in more detail."
Hannah added: “Receiving the LDA Design Bursary is an incredible honour and a huge boost to my confidence as I continue developing my work. This support not only helps ease the financial pressures of studying but also reinforces my passion for design and my commitment to creating meaningful projects. My course at Westminster has been instrumental in shaping my skills and ideas, providing me with the knowledge, guidance and creative freedom to explore innovative solutions.”
In addition to this achievement, Hannah's dissertation was featured in the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) as part of LGBT+ History Month, showcasing her work titled Archival Methodologies: The Black Lesbian and Gay Centre. This recognition further underscores Hannah's dedication and success in her academic pursuits.
Hannah’s work directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, 13: Climate Action and 15: Life on Land. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Find out more about Architecture, Interiors and Urban Design courses at the University of Westminster.
