Four team's competed in the CIOB West Midland's Student Challenge on the 12th January. Despite the snow and ice, the students came together at the University of Wolverhampton to present to a panel of experts consisting of Paul Dockerill FCIOB & Branch Chair, George Marsh FCIOB and lecturer Ant Hatfield ICIOB. The teams had been given the challenge of designing a new student block including gym and Olympic swimming pool adjacent to two existing inner city student blocks. Not only was the site restricted regarding access and footprint, but old burial remains had been found on it.

The students were marked on not only their design solution and their understanding of new building technologies, but also on their presentation and team working skills. The aim of the exercise was to give the students a taste of what it would be like presenting to a client under tender situation. All four teams were excellent and despite their nerves gave very professional performances. It was a very close competition but South West Associates emerged as the winners and will hopefully represent the West Midland's at the National Championships at Ascot.

The West Midland's CIOB would like to thank Wolverhampton University for their support in holding this event, in particular Ant Hatfield and John Reynolds. We would welcome any other West Midland's Universities to join us for next year’s events. If you are interested please contact Georgina Floyd on gfoyd@ciob.org.uk or 0845 070 6135.