CIOB Student Challenge

Huddersfield University take first at the CIOB Student Challenge

Teams of students, each representing their CIOB region, went head to head at the recent CIOB Student Challenge 2005 National Final for the first prize of GBP 200 each.

Acting as a project team for the redevelopment of an Environment Agency office, each team was challenged to prepare a written synopsis and presentation proposing how they would improve biodiversity in an office extension and refurbishment.

Proposals had to focus on the benefits of biodiversity in the redevelopment and the positive impact this would have on staff and the local community, whilst also meeting the requirements of regional and local strategies.

The panel of industry experts judging the submissions were impressed with the enthusiastic and professional approach teams took towards the project, particularly as the area of biodiversity was a new concept to most.

Within their submissions the teams proposed ideas for improving biodiversity that included the sourcing of local natural materials, designing the building and surrounding landscape to provide natural habitats for local wildlife, changing existing office practices to encourage an environmentally responsible attitude and collaborating and consulting with local communities such as schools to promote best practice in this area.

The standard of entries was high and after much deliberation the winners of the 2005 Student Challenge National Final were named as Huddersfield University; Wahid Khan, Judy Hague, Greg Broome and Richard Palliser; second place went to Bridgend College; Andrew Lester, Chris Edwards, Vicky Williams and Byron Barnard; and third place to Limerick Institute of Technology, Patrick Joseph Kelly, Michael O'Donnell, Kevin Carroll and Fiona Fogarty.

Nicola Brown CIOB marketing manager, said ""We were impressed with the vigour and professionalism that the students applied to the project and the thoughtful and practical recommendations they made in order to bring biodiversity to the redevelopment.

We hope that they take away a broader appreciation of the many facets of a construction project and an enthusiasm for continuing to learn about subjects that fall outside of the traditional construction curriculum." Commiserations went to the other teams whose efforts and ideas were strongly commended by the panel.

These included Letterkenny Institute of Technology, Inverness College, Chelmsford College, The Royal School of Military Engineering and Lambeth College.

The CIOB would like to congratulate all the teams on their outstanding performances and thank the panel of experts for their valuable contribution - Sue Innes, Director of Sustainability, Constructing Excellence, Brian Murphy, the National Green Specification and Nigel Finn, Operations Director, Collaborating for the Built Environment.

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