Landscape Architecture and Garden Design (LAGD) students at Writtle University College (WUC) are celebrating their success. On Friday 29th May, well-respected firms from the LAGD sector presented six awards for outstanding work. Sponsors included CED, the Essex Gardens Trust and landscape architecture firms fabrik and Gillespies.
In previous years, award ceremonies took place during the opening of WUC's annual Design Degree Show, which was held on WUC's spacious countryside estate. In light of COVID-19, in 2020 WUC made the decision to move the popular event online. The Design Degree Show attracted 1,000 visitors in its first 24 hours, and LAGD Awards sponsors CED, the Essex Gardens Trust, Fabrik and Gillespies presented awards at a virtual ceremony.
Paul French, Technical Director for landscape architecture firm, fabrik, said: "In these unusual times it is important that we still take time to celebrate the work that the students and lecturers have put into delivering the exhibition".
The high standard of work on display made it a close competition. The winners impressed the judges with their creativity and innovation.
- CED - Best Use of Hard Landscaping Materials - Keely Williams (runner-up Yoojin Kim)
- Fabrik - Best Innovative Project (Undergraduate) - Sam Laws
- Fabrik - Best Innovative Project (Postgraduate) - Michael Ekers
- Gillespies - Best Exhibition Piece - George Witten
- EGT People's Choice Award - Undergraduate - Ye Jin Park
- EGT People's Choice Award - Postgraduate - Adam Newson
Award winner, Adam Newson, attended the virtual ceremony. He commented: "It's fantastic that despite the current situation we are still able to hold our exhibition virtually, instead of in-person this year. This format has enabled our work, and the subject of landscape, to be more accessible and further reaching than ever before. For my work to be recognised as People's Choice (Postgraduate) is wonderful and I think shows a public appreciation for the value of landscape in helping to combat current urban problems."
The Design Degree Show remains available to view online and also features work from students studying Art & the Environment, Contemporary Art & Design and Professional Floristry & Floral Design.