University of Westminster

10/30/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/31/2024 08:03

Westminster alumnus selected for AJ Student Prize for testament to legacy of Windrush generation

Architecture BA Honours alumnus Fenn Wright has been selected for the Architect Journal (AJ) Student Prize for his project Windrush Capital. The project commemorates the legacy of the Windrush generation by integrating Caribbean culture into the heart of Tilbury and Grays, two communities along the Thames Estuary.

Windrush Capital stands as a tribute to the Windrush generation, those who were invited to Britain after World War II to address labour shortages in essential sectors such as healthcare, transportation and manufacturing. Despite their vital role in shaping modern Britain, these migrants faced severe discrimination, racism and legal challenges.

The ambitious initiative seeks to restore and celebrate memories long overshadowed and neglected, honouring the contributions and sacrifices made by Caribbean migrants who helped rebuild post-war Britain. Fenn started bringing ideas together for the project when he discovered photographs, letters and memorabilia of his grandfather Stanley in the attic at his family home. The found photographs capture Stanley's time after arriving in the UK, whilst forgotten letters and stories set a powerful narrative background. He used these memories to create a rich series of personal drawings, models, photographs and film, as well as a design proposal for the Windrush Capital.

The design for the Windrush Capital creatively reclaims parts of ships as a symbolic gesture to the past, using ship hull ribs and other materials to build a space that intertwines sustainability with Caribbean heritage in the heart of Tilbury and Grays. It features three unique spaces dedicated to memory, memento and music.

The memory space serves as a place for storytelling and exhibitions, offering an auditorium where oral history projects and films can share the narratives of the Windrush generation. Memento showcases artefacts and memorabilia from the era, alongside a market where visitors can buy Caribbean produce grown on-site, blending cultural history with sustainable farming. Finally, music celebrates the rich musical heritage of the Caribbean, with sound systems, steel drums, live performances and dance showcases bringing the energy and rhythms of the islands to life.

His tutor Paolo Zaide said: "Fenn's proposal to create a Windrush Capital is not only a personal dedication to his grandfather, but to the entire Windrush generations - a celebration of his community and his identity. The drawings and models developed through this process are expressive and filled with meaning and is a true testament to his family."

This project directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, 10: Reduced Inequalities and 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.

Find out more about the School of Architecture and Cities at the University of Westminster.

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