MArch graduate Sophie Kebell receives the Architect's for Health MA Architecture award

Congratulations to Sophie Kebell on receiving the MA Architecture Award at the Architects for Health Student Design Awards 2024. Sophie's final year design project "The Hand is the Window to the Mind" received the following comments from the judging panel:

Relevant, captivating and convincing. What a wonderful project.
The ‘day in the life of’ storyboard alongside the photograph and poetry is a very powerful way to portray the design and very much draw you in to the scheme and builds a personal connection with the end users of the space.

Sophie was also awarded the Sue Francis Special Award for Art and Architecture.

Sophie responded to the brief with a design concept sensitive to users and to the need to provide an inter-generational space for engagement.She has related to the project at a personal and professional level, enhancing her design with poetry and art

Professor Neveen Hamza

When asked about receiving the award, Sophie said, "I am overjoyed for my work to have been recognised for these prestigious awards. I will be forever grateful to Newcastle University and the In mind studio for further reinforcing my passion for social, health and people-orientated architecture. "

The studio leader for the MArch In Mind studio, Professor Neveen Hamza said, "The ‘In Mind’ studio brief challenges students to look into designing for people living with Dementia on a live project, where the university intends to create a healthy and innovative neighbourhood on its newly owned site in the middle of a multi cultural society in Fenham Newcastle. The studio is led by Professor Neveen Hamza and Mr Neil Turner from Howarth Lichfield Practice. Sophie responded to the brief with a design concept sensitive to users and to the need to provide an inter-generational space for engagement. She has related to the project at a personal and professional level, enhancing her design with poetry and art. Well done Sophie."

The Hand is the Window to the Mind

The current ageing population and its accompanying illnesses represents one of the biggest challenges confronting first-world countries such as the United Kingdom. The hand is the window to the mind trials a new approach to ageing that encourages the older generations to remain productive and engaged within the labour force for longer. This will work to combat the economic strains associated with the current ageing population as well as to both delay and alleviate the symptoms of the primarily age-related disease that is dementia.

Situated 2 miles west of central Newcastle, this innovative almhouse for older people offers workspaces both in private dwellings and in four central workshops. Here, garments are stitched, furniture is repaired, canvases are painted, and clay is thrown. These crafted goods are then retailed in the on-site high street of shops, where residents also have the option to work. This model, reminiscent of 19th-century mental hospitals, instils in residents a deep sense of ownership, pride, and belonging as integral contributors to their local community.