The 2022 National Eisteddfod Architecture Scholarship was won by a young architect who works in the English Midlands but is from Powys.
Sonia Cunningham from Machynlleth will receive a prize of £1,500 for her work in two specific projects – the Bee Monastry and a school at Llanidloes.
The scholarship was established to promote architecture and design in Wales and is awarded to the most promising candidate to enable them to spread their awareness of creative architecture. The scholarship is open to those under 25 years of age. The Scholarship is supported by the Design Commission for Wales
The selectors, Gethin Jones and Ffion Launchbury, said: “The two biggest elements in Sonia's work that made such an impression on us as critics were how she expressed the story and her approach to the journey in the two main projects.
"The Bee Monastery project conveyed Sonia's approach which was based on research, and which resulted in a beautifully illustrated design.
"The designer's thought process and concept development were conveyed through a successful mix of illustrations and panoramic CGI images. As part of the presentation of Bee Monastery, key scenes from the a journey to be seen around the remains of the present with the integration of the new design showing the progress of the experience towards the Temple of the Bees.
“A graphical style helps tell the story of the concept with a palette of natural colours."
The judges added that Sonia presented a detailed and thorough portfolio with attractive presentation and drawing skills.
"The progress of the design can be seen by exploring ideas, experimenting with materials, light and space in sketches and contextual models, which improve the viewers understanding of the concept.
“The Ysgol Llanidloes project shows a calm, mature and playful attitude towards the project. She considers the importance of external spaces and how the thresholds between the internal and external spaces create additional spaces for the occupants to discover.
"The detailed emphasis on specific parts of the building gave us a special pleasure with attention to what would make them successful for the occupiers. The internal plan makes the boundaries between classrooms and formal teaching spaces are ambiguous, and the use of natural materials gives the design a tenderness.
"Once again beautifully illustrated, Sonia has succeeded in conveying the quality of the spaces, showing how light and materials can enrich the quality of space and experience for the children who use the spaces.
"We look forward to seeing how the Architecture Scholarship will help Sonia to develop in the coming years," said the selectors..
Sonia Cunningham graduated with first class honours from the University of Nottingham in 2019. During her studies she received a number of scholarships including the opportunity to study abroad at the University of New South Wales, Australia, as part of a student exchange program.
Sonia is currently completing her part-time Master's degree in Sustainable Architecture at the Centre for Alternative Technology in Machynlleth
Sonia has undertaken training in life cycle carbon analysis (LCA) and is exploring special tools in her current research work. She is very interested in environmentally sustainable design and energy modeling which led to the successful completion of Certified Passivhaus Designer training.
But it has been revealed that the Gold Medal for Architecture and the Plaque of Merit for Architecture will not be presented this year.
A spokesperson for the National Eisteddfod said that there was no merit in the entries for these competitions. Architecture is a core and important part of the Eisteddfod's work and the Gold Medal for Architecture was presented for the first time in 1960.