AIA UK Student Charrette: Reimagining the Strand Aldwych After Dark
On November 8, 2025, the Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF) gallery in London transformed into a dynamic workshop of ideas for the 30th edition of the AIA UK Student Charrette. For the third consecutive year, KPF opened its doors to sponsor and host the jubilee event, welcoming over 60 Part I architecture students from 13 universities across the UK to tackle one of London's most pressing urban challenges: designing for public space after dark.
The day-long design sprint challenged emerging architects to reimagine the Strand Aldwych area as part of Westminster's After Dark Strategy 2040, addressing critical issues of safety, accessibility, cultural vitality, and sustainability in the capital's nighttime economy.
A Brief for the Future
Following a welcoming breakfast reception that fostered connections between students, mentors, and jurors, Siyu Zhao of AIA UK unveiled this year's provocative brief: "Design for Public Space After Dark." The challenge tasked participants with transforming the Strand Aldwych—a historic thoroughfare steeped in cultural significance—into a vibrant nighttime destination that supports community engagement, cultural enrichment, and the physical and mental well-being of Londoners.
The brief responded to Westminster's ambitious 2040 strategy, which seeks to diversify night-time activities beyond traditional hospitality venues while maintaining the area's unique character and ensuring resilience and sustainability for future generations.
From Observation to Innovation
Armed with cameras and sketchbooks, student teams ventured into the streets of Strand Aldwych alongside their mentors, documenting the site's physical fabric, circulation patterns, and social dynamics. This immersive site analysis phase proved crucial, as teams observed firsthand how the historic district's character shifts dramatically between day and night.
Returning to the KPF gallery, the real challenge began: a 4.5-hour analogue design sprint. In an era dominated by digital tools, the charrette embraced a CAD-free approach, pushing students to express their ideas through hand-drawn plans, sketches, and physical models. This constraint fostered spontaneity, collaboration, and a raw creativity that digital workflows often constrain.
Diverse Visions, Shared Values
The afternoon culminated in presentations to a distinguished jury comprising Michelle Ludik from ADAM Architecture, Stephen Drew from Architecture Social, and Samantha Cooke from KPF. Each team's proposal demonstrated sophisticated understanding of the site's layered history and cultural significance, while offering bold visions for its nighttime transformation.
The jury praised the breadth of approaches, noting how students integrated public engagement strategies, inclusive design principles, and sustainable interventions into their proposals. From illuminated pedestrian networks to pop-up cultural programming, the designs reflected a generation of architects attuned to the social dimensions of urban space.
Celebrating Excellence
After thorough deliberation, the jury announced its winners:
First Place: Group 2
Students from Sheffield Hallam University, University of Kent, and University of Greenwich, mentored by Pierre Baillargeon, claimed top honours. Their proposal distinguished itself through a seamless integration of community engagement, environmental sustainability, and contextual sensitivity—demonstrating how nighttime activation can enhance rather than compromise a historic district's character.
The winning team mentored by Pierre Baillargeon, AIA, NCARB, ARB, RIBA: Students from Sheffield Hallam University, University of Kent, and University of Greenwich: Aneeqa Hussain, Bea Barros, Riya Riya, Taqwa Elmrom, Ekaterina Andonova, Lucien Percy, Fatoumatta Ndure.
First Runner-Up: Group 8
A collaborative team from the University of Greenwich, University of Hertfordshire, and University of Westminster, guided by mentor Laura Petruso, earned recognition for their innovative approach to inclusive nighttime programming.
The 1st runner-up team mentored by Laura Petruso, AIA, ARB, OAC: Students from University of Greenwich, University of Hertfordshire and University of Westminster: Lamis Sami, David Akala, Abdulatif Ghani, Ayub Abdulkadir, Einas Heidari, Gamid Aliev, Sajida Akther.
Second Runner-Up: Group 6
Students from the University of Greenwich, mentored by Francis Hur, rounded out the podium with a compelling vision that balanced historical preservation with contemporary urban needs.
The 2nd runner-up team mentored by Francis Hur, AIA. Students from University of Greenwich:Alexander Ojejinmi, Firdowsun Nahar, Jaewoo Oh, Jessica Tirira Quezada, Jordan Jatto, Kaliah Henry, Madiha Payman, Sophia Tsui.
Celebrating 30 Years: Special Individual Awards
In honour of the 30th anniversary milestone, AIA UK introduced special individual recognition awards celebrating exceptional contributions throughout the day:
Early Bird Award: David Akala (University of Hertfordshire)
David arrived first and set a focused, energetic tone for the entire event. His early commitment and readiness to engage demonstrated the dedication that would characterize the day's collaborative spirit.
David Akala (University of Hertfordshire)
Presenters of the Year: Iain McCallum (University of Dundee) and Veronika Austin (University of Greenwich)
Both recipients delivered clear, structured presentations that captivated the jury and kept the room fully engaged. Their confidence and precision in communicating complex design ideas exemplified the communication skills essential to architectural practice.
Iain McCallum (University of Dundee)
Veronika Austin (University of Greenwich)
Most Immersed Award: Sobhia Boularas (University of Hertfordshire)
Sobhia remained fully absorbed in her craft from start to finish, demonstrating steady concentration and an unwavering drive to refine every detail of her model. Her dedication embodied the focused intensity that defines exceptional design work.
Sobhia Boularas (University of Hertfordshire)
The Power of Mentorship and Collaboration
AIA UK extends heartfelt gratitude to the mentors who played an instrumental role in the charrette's success. Their expertise and guidance were essential in shepherding students through each phase of the design process, from initial site analysis through final presentation.
The event's success also depended on the dedication of its organizers and volunteers, including Paolo Mendoza from Benoy, Rishi Lal from HOK, and Siyu Zhao from ADAM Architecture. Special recognition goes to the volunteers from KPF London—Marcela Manole, Cristina Mock, Carolyn Ardaiz, Gaëlle Brohard, and Anna Mytcul—whose behind-the-scenes work ensured the day ran seamlessly.
Looking Forward: Analog Design in the Age of AI
The 30th AIA UK Student Charrette proved especially meaningful in an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence and digital automation. By requiring hand-drawn work and physical model-making, the event reminded participants of the irreplaceable value of tactile exploration, spontaneous sketching, and direct material engagement in the design process.
"This event was very special for AIA UK and for the students," organizers noted. "We are motivated to continue this tradition and deliver amazing results through many more upcoming years."
As London grapples with the evolution of its nighttime economy—balancing safety concerns, cultural vitality, and residential quality of life—events like the AIA UK Student Charrette demonstrate how emerging architects can contribute fresh perspectives to longstanding urban challenges. The proposals generated on November 8 may be student projects, but the questions they address are urgently real: How do we create public spaces that serve diverse communities around the clock? How can design foster safety without surveillance? How might historic districts embrace contemporary nightlife while preserving their character?
The 30th charrette proved that the future of London's public realm is in capable, creative hands.
Project Credits:
● Event Organizer: AIA UK
● Host & Sponsor: Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF)
● Brief Coordinator: Siyu Zhao, AIA UK
● Jury: Michelle Ludik (ADAM Architecture), Stephen Drew (Architecture Social), Samantha Cooke (KPF)
● Organizers & Volunteers: Paolo Mendoza (Benoy), Rishi Lal (HOK), Siyu Zhao (ADAM Architecture)
● KPF London Volunteers: Marcela Manole, Cristina Mock, Carolyn Ardaiz, Gaëlle Brohard, Anna Mytcul, Jamar Rock.
● Participants: 60+ Part I architecture students from 13 UK universities
● Date: November 8, 2025
● Location: KPF Gallery, London
Special thanks to KPF for their continued support of architectural education and their generous provision of gallery space for this milestone event.
Written by Anna Mytcul, Associate AIA
Photos by Cristina Mock, Associate AIA
