‘Vertical Community’ impresses construction company

A “sustainable urban village” designed by a MMU Architecture student has been awarded first prize and a share of £5,000 in the annual Corus Student Design Awards.

Final year student Romulus Sim, 23, beat off strong competition from students across Europe to scoop the high profile award. Corus, one of the world’s largest steel producers, created the Student Design Awards 21 years ago to reward architectural excellence among undergraduates and promote professional skills by setting real life challenges.

Idea not seen before

The competition brief this year was to create a ‘Vertical Community’ where people can live, work and relax in one building that would be in use 24 hours a day. Romulus’ proposal for a sustainable living system divided into separate pod-like hubs was described by judges as “elegant” and “an idea that had not been seen before”.

His design included a Leisure and Community Hub with gym, shopping district and hospital, Learning Hub, Work ‘Fields’ and adaptable Living Units all structured into a sleek, steel sky scraper. Malaysian-born Romulus took inspiration for his design from his adopted home town of Manchester.

Outstanding originality

He comments: “Manchester was the obvious setting for the project as provides a great example of sustainable urbanism within a post-industrial cityscape. It’s the original modern city and constantly evolving, which I find fascinating.”

“I love this city, it’s been my home for the past 5 years and the University and the people I’ve met here have taught me so much. I think Manchester fuses a great studying environment with the perks and excitement of a big city. I hope there will be bright opportunities for my career in the future here.”

Architecture Lecturer Siobhan Barry said: “I am very proud of Romulus. The future of architecture focuses on ecological and sustainable high density communities, inspired by nature and using the latest high tech innovations. Romulus used these concepts with outstanding originality.”

Two A1 boards of design work were submitted to judges and prizes were awarded by Corus Chief Executive Officer Kirby Adams and TV presenter Gabby Logan at London’s Science Museum.