Cardenden student's design chosen

When Niamh, 20 from Cardenden, took part in a student competition to come up with ideas to revamp the outside the St Brycedale Campus to the front of the College she never imagined her ideas would win, never mind become a reality.

Fellow students, staff and visitors to the College will soon be able to benefit from a range of new external features including planting, social and seating areas which are also environmentally friendly and great to look at.

Other features of Niamh’s design include a garden area, and colourful seating in the College’s corporate colours and areas where student artwork can be displayed.

Niamh, who has just completed HND 3D Design with Interiors course, was delighted to be invited along to a planning meeting where the College’s estates team and contractor Marshall Construction, went over the details of the work to ensure all her designs were fully incorporated.

Said Niamh: “I was thrilled to hear that my designs had been chosen – it was a great feeling and I have enjoyed meeting the estates team and the contractor who will be carrying out the work. I plan to visit the site during the summer to help ensure all is going to plan.

"It is very exciting and I can’t wait to see the finished result".

She added: “Knowing that what I have designed will remain part of the Campus for many years to come for people to enjoy is a great feeling.

“I have really enjoyed my course and my three years at Fife College. The course was excellent and I especially enjoyed learning about sustainability, architectural research and landscape drawing.

"Longer term, I hope to work in an architectural firm, which has a mixture of sustainability, architecture, planning and landscape design in the job. Working in a firm will help to open up further opportunities for me to secure a great future career."

The revamp of the front of the Kirkcaldy Campus is part of a wider College Estates Strategy which aims to provide a first class learning environment for all students.

Sue Reekie, Chief Operating Officer at Fife College said: “Our students have huge talent and potential and we are eager to involve them in the development of the college estate.

"We had an open competition from which three designs were put forward and our students and staff voted for the one they liked best. Niamh’s winning submission is a stunning design and one that fits with our strategy of social outdoor learning space, considers the environment and uses sustainable products.

“Thanks to Niamh’s designs, the front of our Kirkcaldy Campus will soon be transformed from a concrete open area into an attractive social space with planting, walk ways and featured lighting.

“Niamh has shown she has a great flair for landscape architecture and we are delighted that we have helped her on her journey to a promising career ahead.”

Fife College offers a wide range of courses, including Furniture and Interior Design, with places still available for August. For further details, visit fife.ac.uk or call 0344 2480115.