Success in the shedkm Architecture Competition
Last academic year, we were thrilled to team up with shedkm, a renowned UK architecture firm, to launch an exciting design competition for our pupils. With two categories—over 16 and under 16—students were invited to imagine and create an extension of a room, sharing their thought process, early concepts, and final designs in a presentation.
In the over 16 category, Iveta emerged as the winner, while Holi took the top spot in the under 16 group.
Iveta’s victory earned her a fantastic opportunity: a week-long work experience at shedkm’s London office, beginning on 7th July. Her Mediterranean-inspired design impressed the judges, featuring elegant touches like a brick archway, built-in bookshelves, and stained-glass windows. The result? A beautifully crafted space divided into distinct living and sleeping areas.
Ahead of her work experience, we caught up with Iveta to learn more about her approach to the competition. Reflecting on her design, she shared:
“They wanted something unique for the extension, so I went with a Mediterranean theme throughout. I added a brick arch to the doorways, built-in bookshelves, and stained-glass windows. I also split the room into living and bed spaces. I found a lot of inspiration on Pinterest and used Rubik to bring the design to life.”
Iveta also spoke about the surprise of winning and her excitement for what lay ahead:
“I was so shocked—I really didn’t expect it! But I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity. I feel honoured and can’t wait to see what I’ll learn from the team at shedkm and how I can contribute.”
As she looks to the future, Iveta sees this work experience as a stepping stone, helping shape her aspirations and opening doors to what’s next.
“My plan is to go to university and study architecture. This experience is exactly what I want to do.
We were eager to catch up with Iveta at the start of the new term to hear all about her work experience at shedkm. It was exciting to see some glimpses of her time there and learn how much she gained from the opportunity.
When asked about her experience, Iveta described the week as “insightful” and expressed how lucky she felt to have seen the architectural world up close.
“During my week at shedkm, I picked up so many new skills and techniques and got a real insider’s view of how the architectural world operates.
It was amazing to visit sites and see projects come to life while also learning what happens behind the scenes. I’m truly grateful for all the knowledge I’ve gained from this experience.
My favourite part was seeing my own project develop. Using Enscape and SketchUp, I turned a 2D sketch into a 3D digital model. Watching it take shape was incredible.”
The shedkm competition offered our students a fantastic opportunity to tackle real-world architectural challenges and receive recognition from industry experts. A huge congratulations to both Iveta and Holi for their achievements!
