MSA graduate shortlisted for RIBA President’s Medal

Manchester School of Architecture graduate Tom Cookson has been short-listed for the most prestigious awards in architectural education.

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) - the oldest and most influential architectural institution in the world - has awarded President’s Medals since the 1850s.

Widely regarded as an international benchmark for excellence, 300 schools of architecture in over 60 different countries nominate their best student design projects for the annual awards.

24-year-old Tom has been short-listed for the Silver Medal - awarded to postgraduate students - for work completed within his Continuity in Architecture unit.

Exceptional graduate

The Staffordshire-born architect, who graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture this summer, designed a collection of small structures within the Croatian city of Dubrovnik.

Entitled the Repository for Unwanted Memorabilia his work features a series of interconnected spaces integrated with a dense urban environment.

Sally Stone, Director of the Continuity in Architecture unit at MSA, said: “Tom’s design project attaches itself closely to the grain of the city and his vision was beautifully communicated with both computer and hand drawings.

“Tom won the MSA Student of the Year award and The University of Manchester award for Outstanding Academic Achievement, which recognise the truly exceptional performance of a graduate student, but to be short-listed for a RIBA President’s Medal is a huge achievement.”

International recognition

A panel of respected international academics and practitioners will now judge the Bronze - awarded to undergraduate students – Silver and Dissertation Medal short-lists.

The President’s Medal winners will be announced at a prestigious ceremony at RIBA’s London head quarters on 7th December 2011, coinciding with the opening of an exhibition featuring winning student work.

In addition to having his work both internationally recognised and publicly exhibited, if Tom scoops the Silver Medal he will also receive £2,000.