The Trustees of the Jonathan Speirs Scholarship Fund (JSSF) have announced the recipient of its 2015-16 award: Charlotte Eley, a Year 6 Architecture student completing her Master of Architecture degree at the University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom. Eley is the third recipient of this scholarship named in honor of the late architect and lighting designer Jonathan Speirs. She plans to use part of the £10,000 scholarship to complete her final Masters design project, in which she is exploring the role lighting and architecture play in supporting social interaction.
Charlotte Eley, recipient of the 2015-16 Jonathan Speirs Scholarship
As noted in the press release, “The judges were impressed by the maturity and sensitivity of Charlotte’s application, which conveyed her passion for the potential inherent in light and architecture to tackle large social issues such as inclusivity, crime prevention and community cohesion.”
John Roake, chairman of the JSSF said, “We are delighted to present the third JSSF scholarship to Charlotte Eley. Each year we are impressed by the diversity and quality of the submissions, however we all agreed that Charlotte’s work is really special in being representative of a growing movement in the fields of architecture and lighting design, where priority is given to considering ways in which designers can help dramatically improve the lives of those who often do not have immediate access to well thought-through, practical and sustainable solutions. It was her social responsibility which shone through which we thought made her deserving of support and encouragement.”
The JSSF’s mission is to provide support to students of architecture who wish to enter the architectural lighting design profession. Funding is made possible thanks to the generosity of donations made by companies and individuals in the architecture, lighting design, and engineering communities. The scholarship intends to make one award each year until 2023. Further details about the fund and ways one can donate can be found at the fund’s website.
