University of Westminster Interior Architecture students create sustainable design solutions in Spradling® competition

On the week of 19-23 January on Marylebone Campus, over 100 first and second-year students participated in the Designing Tomorrow Today competition hosted as part of the University’s collaboration with Spradling® UK. This partnership saw Westminster students come together to develop innovative designs for functional and environmentally responsible spaces, while gaining valuable industry exposure through hands‑on experimentation with real‑world materials.

As a global leader in high-performance coated fabrics, Spradling® generously provided a selection of state-of-the-art materials for students to use in their designs.  These fabrics were chosen for their sustainable attributes, allowing students to explore eco‑conscious design without repeating similar themes across multiple sections. By incorporating materials that balance functionality, aesthetic appeal and environmental responsibility, the competition allowed students to explore sustainable solutions that prioritise not only immediate design goals but also long-term impact.

For this year’s monster theme, students were asked to consider the role that monsters play in culture and in the architectural disciplines and create puppets that they would inhabit. The materials provided by Spradling®, which mimicked various woven textiles and skins, activated the character of the puppets, while the use of live willow for the structures brought students into direct contact with ecologically responsible construction methods.

Spradling® not only provided all the materials for the competition but sponsored the prizes awarded to the winning teams, reinforcing its commitment to supporting emerging design talent.

A panel of judges, composed of experts from Spradling® and the University of Westminster, evaluated the projects based on their structural ambition, environmental performance, high functionality, environmental responsibility and creative use of materials. The top prizes were awarded to The Host in first place, The Chainbreaker securing second place and Draco finishing in third.

The Host

Reflecting on the project, Conor Clarke, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Co‑leader and Lecturer in Interior Architecture, said: “On the Interior Architecture course, we empower students to create spaces of collective resilience by adaptively reusing materials in inventive ways. The workshop provided a unique opportunity for free-wheeling creativity and the expression of collective joy. Through live client projects and direct industry partnerships like these, students cultivate the skills necessary to reshape design futures.”

Nancy Wellman, Development Officer at the University, said: “This partnership with Spradling® plays a vital role in enriching our students’ learning experience. Funded collaborations like this give them direct exposure to real‑world expectations, foster innovative thinking, and help build the confidence they need as they move into their professions. We are delighted to be working together across several competitions and to see the meaningful impact this relationship has on our students’ development.”

Nina Tughushi, one of the students who participated, added: “The Spradling competition was a great start to the new semester. We got the chance to challenge our creativity and the ability to craft! The making process reunited us all. We were not rivals, instead friends who lifted each other up, traded tips when the glue wouldn't hold and celebrated every finished piece as a collective victory.”

Spradling® added: “We’re pleased to support the University of Westminster with the Puppets Project and to see students engage so creatively with materials, structure and storytelling. Projects like this offer a valuable opportunity for experimentation at scale and it’s inspiring to see how students translate conceptual ideas into physical form.”

Westminster’s collaboration with Spradling® directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 4: Quality Education, 12: Responsible Consumption and Production and 17: Partnerships for the Goals. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.

Find out more about studying Architecture, Interiors and Urban Design at the University of Westminster.  

To find out how your organisation can collaborate with the University and support students in a range of ways, contact the Development Team.