GSSArchitecture joins Building Futures bursary scheme at Newcastle University for students from diverse backgrounds to study architecture

The University is proud to be working with the charity Blueprint for All, formerly the Stephen Lawrence Trust, to give young people of diverse ethnic heritage the opportunity to enter the architectural industry. Students on the scheme have their fees waived for their three-year undergraduate study and receive an annual contribution to their living costs. The Building Futures bursary scheme is now in its fourth year at Newcastle University with six students benefiting from the scholarship so far; the first students on the scheme took up their place in September 2020.

One of these students, Sumaiya Aziz, is now in her final year of study at Newcastle and has felt a wide range of benefits from the bursary; “I was able to gain some work experience in London over the summer thanks to the bursary. I attended an event in my first year to meet donors to the bursary, including architecture firms, and they made me aware of the opportunities available. Without the bursary, I never would have made this connection and would have struggled to take an unpaid placement, so it’s been a big help.”

The scheme relies on the support and generosity of architect firms to provide two students with this scholarship each year, and the university is delighted that GSS Architecture has committed to a five- year funding contribution. GSSArchitecture believes it is vital to balance short-term business pressures with long-term success through Corporate Social Responsibility, and they are committed to creating environments in which individuals or groups can be welcomed, respected, supported, and valued. Becoming part of the Building Futures programme is one of the many ways GSS Architecture are demonstrating their brand value of inclusivity in real-terms.

Jonathan Hunter, Partner at GSSArchitecture, said: “The Building Futures programme has already helped six deserving people since it launched in 2020, and we are excited by the potential this partnership with Newcastle University and Blueprint for All presents to offer more young people the opportunity to enter the architectural industry. This fantastic programme recognises how every person, regardless of race, ethnicity, or background can be given the opportunity to succeed. We are proud to be directly supporting this initiative that highlights the systemic issues that are, unfortunately, still prevalent today. We hope this will make a real difference to underrepresented people in the industry, organisations and society.”

Dr Sam Austin, Director of Architecture at Newcastle University said: "We‘re so pleased that GSSArchitecture is joining the Building Futures bursary scheme. We’re committed to improving opportunities for all interested young people to succeed in studying architecture, and the bursaries provide fantastic and much-needed support for students from diverse backgrounds. Initiatives like this are so important as we all work to shape a more inclusive architectural profession that is better placed to serve all of society, and we are very grateful to practices like GSSArchitecture for their support."

Blueprint for All

We work with young people, communities and organisations to create an inclusive society in which everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity or background is provided with tangible opportunities to thrive.

Every person, regardless of their background, has the opportunity and support to flourish in a society that recognises and values them.

Talent is everywhere, opportunity is not

We believe in a future where talent is respected and nurtured irrespective of where it comes from, where organisations recognise and realise the benefits of a diverse workforce and where our communities can come together and thrive. This is our blueprint to set the foundations for a more inclusive society to grow.

Our high impact programmes work with young people and communities, giving them the best possible chance of making a difference in the world whilst driving systemic change in organisations and society.

GSS Architecture

With a team of around 70+ people, we are able to provide you with a highly responsive service and can demonstrate experience in almost every sector, including industrial and commercial, education, residential, sports, leisure, arts, science and research and healthcare. Our work includes the full range of services covering architectural design, feasibilities, 3D graphics and animation, interior design, estate strategies, conservation and heritage, principal designer and one-stop-shop and we are proud of the reputation that we have built with our clients.

We are a multi-award-winning team with a reputation for the delivery of projects in an efficient and effective way and we are further able to support our clients through our in-house specialist divisions including 3DLABS and Conservation and Heritage.

We are driven by our core values of Collaboration, Responsiveness, Creativity, Inclusivity and Accountability. Our values describe what we stand for and they reflect our working ethos.

In all that we do, and in every decision we make, we are guided by these values.

We hold ourselves to our values and ask that our clients, teams and stakeholders continually challenge us to conduct ourselves with these values in mind.

Newcastle University

The School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape at Newcastle University is ranked 16^th in the UK by the Complete University Guide 2023 and is in the Top 125 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023. The accredited Architecture BA Honours degree is the first step towards qualification as a professional architect, studying at Newcastle develops an individual’s own design style and distinctive way of working. As one of the few academic schools in the UK to focus exclusively on the built environment, the University brings together expertise spanning the history, theory and practice of architecture, planning, urban design and landscape architecture.

The University would like to thank the following donors who have made the Building Futures bursary awards possible:

Anthony Keith
Geoffrey and Anne Purves Fund at the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland
FaulknerBrowns Architects
Foster and Partners
Grimshaw Architects
Napper Architects
Page\Park Architect
Sheppard Robson
Xsite Architecture