Callum Geddes Symmons, a Stage 5 Master’s graduate from the Mackintosh School of Architecture, who is continuing his studies on the Masters by Conversation course, has received a High Commendation in the highly prestigious RIBA President’s Silver Medal category at this year’s Royal Institute of British Architects Awards ceremony, held on December 4 in London. The RIBA Silver Medal is one of the industry’s highest honours for design projects at RIBA Part 2 or its equivalent, recognising exceptional work from the past academic year from students across the globe.
Callum’s commended work Making Public is an architectural thesis that explores the themes of transformation and the contemporary public realm. Using Genova, Italy, as a case study due to its history of problematic industrial expansion, the thesis focuses on reclaiming a network of abandoned aristocratic villas to establish a system of public spaces within the city, revitalising urban space in areas disfigured by industrial infrastructure.
One of these historic buildings – Villa Rossazza – is selected as a case study, with a proposal to transform the building and its grounds into a new performative public form through architectural intervention. This project aims to be a catalyst, the first of several subsequent projects that would collectively form a new typology: the villa publica.
“A well-deserved recognition of a student with a strong work ethic that explored a design thesis in depth and rigour through a range of medium.” said Miranda Webster, Stage 5 Leader at Mackintosh School of Architecture.
“Callum addressed the final year theme of The Ethical city through the appropriation and transformation of a private typology, establishing a system of public spaces within an urbanism scarred and segregated by industrial infrastructure. We are all very proud of what he has achieved!”
The judging panels award one medal and are allowed to award up to 5 Commendations. A High Commendation can be awarded to one of these five when judges feel that a project stands above the other Commendations and is on a quality level very close to the medal. This accomplishment is particularly exceptional in a year that welcomed a record number of entries for the President’s Medals and recognises Callum’s thesis Making Public as one of the best design projects produced at Part 2 (or equivalent) in the world in the last academic year.
View the full details of Callum’s Making Public on the GSA’s Degree Show graduate showcase.
For further information contact press@gsa.ac.uk
NOTES FOR EDITORS
About The Glasgow School of Art (GSA):
The Glasgow School of Art (GSA) is internationally recognised as one of Europe’s leading independent university-level institutions for education and research in the visual creative disciplines. Our studio-based, specialist, practice-led teaching, learning and research draw talented individuals with a shared passion for visual culture and creative production from all over the world.
Originally founded in 1845 as one of the first Government Schools of Design, the School’s history can be traced back to 1753 and the establishment of the Foulis Academy delivering a European-style art education. Today, the GSA is an international community of over 3500 students and staff and 22,000 alumni across architecture, design, fine art and innovation and technology in our campuses in Glasgow and Altyre (in the Scottish Highlands).
About the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA):
The Royal Institute of British Architects is a global professional membership body that serves its members and society in order to deliver better buildings and places, stronger communities and a sustainable environment. Follow @RIBA on X/Twitter for regular updates.
