London Metropolitan architecture students receive Commendations at the 2021 RIBA President's Medals News from the School of Art, Architecture and Design

Ian Davide Bugarin was recognised in the category of architecture dissertation, and Conor Lawless in the architectural design category (RIBA Bronze Medal).

Date: 8 December 2021

London Met is delighted to announce that Architecture BA graduates Ian Davide Bugarin and Conor Lawless have received commendations in the 2021 RIBA President's Medals. Ian was recognised in the category of architecture dissertation, and Conor in the architectural design category (RIBA Bronze Medal). The commendations were announced last night, Tuesday 7 December, by the RIBA education department.

Ian's dissertation, 'Bodies Split in Two: Contested Monsters and Queer Space in the Philippines', explores how colonisation, gentrification and colonial myths have affected space for queer people in the Philippines. The dissertation was supervised by Ektoras Arkomanis.

Ian said, "It was exciting and important for me to explore how colonization, gentrification and colonial myths have affected space for queer people in the Philippines, and how this relates to the myth of the Aswang. I am delighted to have received a commendation for my work and I plan to continue this research on other forms such as performance and exhibition installation."

Conor's project, 'The Workers' Enclave', proposes to emulate virtues of civic-mindedness and community development, in an effort to create a solidarity of purpose amongst the proletariat in the face of twenty-first century neoliberal capitalism and widespread exploitation. The project was supervised by Andrew Budd, Jillian Jones and Kieran Wardle.

Upon receiving the news, Conor said: 'I am so grateful and honoured to have received a commendation for my work. I would like to thank my tutors at London Metropolitan University for their support and guidance throughout the year. It was a privilege to study among such talented people and to be involved in engaging discussions and debates.'

The annual call for submissions to the RIBA President's Medals goes out to more than 400 universities from more than 80 countries. Unfortunately, the traditional ceremony did not take place live this year, due to COVID restrictions; the prizes and commendations were announced on the RIBA website, where all this year's submissions can be viewed.