This project is part of NTU's commitment that all students will benefit from work-like experience opportunities embedded into their course, allowing them to engage directly with industry and develop essential professional skills, knowledge and attributes for future career success.
The project
The project focuses on an area known as Ilkeston Junction, with the train station to the north, the railway to the east, and the River Erewash and Erewash Canal to the south and west. Currently, the area is predominantly occupied by non-descript light industrial warehouses, except for Armstrong’s Mill, which testifies to the town’s rich industrial heritage.
Working in groups, the NTU architecture students created a master plan for the site, inspired by concepts such as identity, flexibility, walkability, and biodiversity, drawn from David Sim’s Soft City. Each student then individually designed a mixed-use scheme for one of the plots within the master plan. The schemes incorporate residential dwellings alongside new creative industries like art, music, and film studios, aiming to rejuvenate and regenerate the area.
The Year 2 students have learnt so much from working on this live project this year, gaining real work-like experience, liaising with a client, the planners and the community in Ilkeston. We try to engage with local clients and communities as often as possible but this year’s collaboration with ILKON has been our best yet. We really appreciated Chris’ input on the project and for the opportunity for some of the students to exhibit their work at ILKON. This work-like experience has enabled the cohort to see what the job of an architect can entail and some of them have also gained experience in curating their work for an exhibition. A fantastic live project with some amazing work from our students. Well done Year 2 team!
Lois Woods, Course Leader BArch (Hons) Architecture (ARB/RIBA Part 1)
The inspiration behind the project
The students have been inspired by ILKON, a contemporary art gallery in Ilkeston, showcasing how creative industries can contribute to the regeneration of regional towns. The students have also met with planners from Erewash Borough Council to understand their vision for Ilkeston. Both the council and various community representatives have noted the potential of the project to stimulate discussions and debates about the future possibilities for Ilkeston.
The quality of work produced by the NTU students was exceptional. The exhibition at ILKON was well received by the public, the Mayor and the Leader of the Council. The ideas included in the excellent drawings and models showed how a post industrial town such as Ilkeston could be transformed into a creative hub building on the huge catchment area of the Nottingham to Leeds/Sheffield train line. It certainly helped raise the level of ambition which is a huge first step to take. Well done to all the students and thank you to the staff for the energy and enthusiasm.
Chris Williamson (Architect, ILKON Founder & RIBA President-Elect)
Student designs
Further information
For more information about this project, please contact: Gavin Orton, gavin.orton@ntu.ac.uk
BArch (Hons) Architecture (ARB/RIBA Part 1)
Undergraduate | Full-time
Find out more about our BArch (Hons) Architecture (ARB/RIBA Part 1) course at Nottingham Trent University