Age 16-18
Havering Sixth Form student Yoana Bozhinova narrowly missed out on the top trophy in an East London design competition which showcased the region’s up-and-coming young architects.
Yoana’s presentation and model, created with fellow architectural enthusiast Hennadii Verhuliak, was voted the runner-up in the People’s Pavilion competition.
Open to 14 to 18-year-olds from each of the East London boroughs, the competition saw students in teams working with architects and construction industry professionals to design a pop-up, temporary pavilion. The winning design will be built full-size in the grounds of Lea Bridge Library, Leyton, in the summer.
Yoana, who is studying Interior and Architectural Design A Level, along with English Literature and Product Design at New City College’s sixth form campus in Hornchurch, represented the London Borough of Havering. She based her striking pavilion design on the shape of the Fighting Conch Seashell.
She said: “Our pavilion was designed for everyone to enjoy, from children and the elderly, to people with disabilities. Its main purpose was to bring the community together in a comfortable area to relax and escape from sensory ‘bombardments’ and the stresses of school or work.
“The plan takes inspiration from the seashell which was important to us alongside thinking about the circular economy. Our pavilion would therefore be made from recycled materials, using glass bottles for walls which let light through, reclaimed timber and plywood for the main structure, and items such as bottle caps and cork for activities designed into the wall.”
Yoana’s course tutor at Havering Sixth Form, Ellie Smith, said: “The open evening of the competition was very busy with students sharing their work with teachers, friends and family. Yoana should be very proud of the time and effort she has put into this – it was a great achievement to be awarded as runner-up. She has made new friends during the competition and it is clear she has gained confidence from the whole experience.”
The competition, organised by Beyond the Box Consultants, was backed by Heatherwick Studio, Make, Haworth Tompkins, David Chipperfield Architects, dRMM, JTP, and AHMM.
Neil Onions, founder of Beyond the Box Consultants, said: “The project is more than a design competition for young east Londoners; it’s also a project that sees those working in the built environment and cultural sector come together to test new ways of working and also acts as an incubator for emerging and creative practices.”
