Leeds design students tackle sustainability challenge on live construction site
Product design students at a college in Leeds have been set a real-world sustainability challenge after a visit to a major live construction project.
Students from Elliott Hundson College in Leeds were recently invited to visit the construction site as work took place to significantly expand the existing Primark store at White Rose Shopping Centre.
During the visit, the students were given a guided tour of the live construction environment and gained first-hand insight into how large-scale developments are delivered safely and efficiently.
The group also had the opportunity to quiz construction manager Ben Marris, who spoke about the practical challenges of working within a live shopping centre, including logistics management, safety considerations and environmental responsibility on complex commercial projects.
Following their visit, the students were tasked with developing an innovative product designed to help offset the environmental impact of construction projects.
Using their understanding of material properties, the students have been challenged to propose a product that could be created alongside a development and contribute positively to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Ben Marris said: “Opening our sites to students is a great way to show how the construction industry operates in the real world and to challenge perceptions of what we do.
“Sustainability is a key consideration on every project we deliver, so setting the students a task focused on offsetting environmental impact felt like a natural fit.”
The initiative is designed to give students meaningful exposure to the construction industry while encouraging creative thinking around sustainability, innovation and real-world problem solving.
Mr Marris added: “We’re delivering this project in a busy, live shopping centre, which brings its own challenges, but it also provides a fantastic learning environment. We’ve been really impressed by the students’ enthusiasm and the questions they asked, and we’re looking forward to seeing the ideas they come up with.”
One of the students who visited the construction site, Abdul-Raheem Akram, said it offered valuable insight into sustainable construction and its role in shaping the future of the building environment.
Another student, Omayma Ali, reflected on the emphasis placed on continuous learning in construction, noting how experience and industry standards constantly evolve and influence new projects.
College Product Design teacher Miriam Olutayo said the project has provided its students with “an invaluable real-world learning experience”.
She said: “Seeing sustainability in action on a live construction site has brought their studies to life in a way that simply cannot be replicated in the classroom,” she said.
“The coursework component set by AQA requires students to solve a ‘real problem’ for a ‘real client’, and this site visit has provided the perfect springboard to get their projects off to a strong and meaningful start.
“We are incredibly proud of the students’ engagement and are excited to see how they translate their learning into innovative and sustainable design solutions.”