University of Gloucestershire students win prestigious design challenge

A team of final-year students from University of Gloucestershire have been announced as the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID) student design challenge winners of 2025.

The highly prestigious national design competition challenges teams of students from universities across the country to respond to a live client brief and present their proposals to a panel of professional interior design experts.

Building on last year’s ‘Highly Commended’ recognition, this year’s University of Gloucestershire team secured first place. The winning team comprises seven Level 6 Interior Design students: Lauren Barker, Ellie Prosser, Clea Howard, Rheanna Gliddon-Brown, Sofia Innocent, Ashleigh Abbey and Elodie Pratt.

Working to a brief set by a conservation charity, the students had three and a half days to develop their proposal with support from BIID Registered Interior Designer Anna Bennett. The task centred on designing a visitor centre within a woodland environment.  

The team’s presentation, titled “Roots of Tomorrow”, showcased concepts for a forest hub in the Forest of Dean. Key elements included a bespoke hollowed-out tree stump at the entrance to the hub, a café with an interactive water feature, and a yoga studio overlooking the Forest.

The judges awarded first place based on adherence to the brief, innovation, drawing quality, and presentation excellence, particularly recognising the team’s well-considered concept and professionally delivered pitch.

Andrew Bradford, Senior Lecturer in Interior Design, nominated the team for the challenge. He said: “I would like to congratulate our Interior Design Level 6 team on their hard work in winning this prestigious national BIID student design challenge.  Our students collaborated well as a team under the pressure of a tight deadline – a learning experience which is reflective of industry standard practice, and an experience that will give these students confidence as they move forwards into employment.

“The Interior Design course at University of Gloucestershire is ranked 19th nationally, according to the Guardian University Guide, and from a course perspective it is incredibly rewarding to see an affirmation of our teaching and learning approaches. 

“The team have demonstrated excellence in many of the key areas of concern in the curriculum, such as the process of design conceptualisation and iteration, the importance of narrative in design, the development and delivery of design solutions for well-being, inclusivity, accessibility and sustainability, and hand drawn visualisation techniques.

“Many thanks to the BIID judges and mentors for their continued support in providing this opportunity to Interior Design final year students.”