An Aberdeen architecture student has won a top prize for her reimagining of Gray’s School of Art as a new exhibition and conference centre for Robert Gordon University (RGU), as part of a student architecture project.

Amy Aquilina was awarded the Rob Hunter Prize by the University’s Scott Sutherland School for Architecture and Built Environment after presenting her plans for the refurbishment and reorganisation of the art school building, which was designed by architect Michael Shewan and officially opened in 1967.

As part of the project, Stage 3 architecture students were set a brief to redesign the building to house exhibition spaces, offices, catering facilities, and provide the headquarters of the Centre for Northern Culture and Design, as well as accommodation for guests.

Amy, whose design incorporates both the history of the Gray’s building with a more contemporary design, said: “I felt that keeping the aesthetic of the facade was an important factor in retaining the memory of Gray’s.

“The intention of the bar/restaurant was to draw people which aren’t part of RGU to the area so others may use the building and enjoy the views south over the river.

“As my proposal involved replacing the glazing, I decided to re-use the original frames throughout the interiors of the building to help retain the memory of Gray’s.”

Amy, who won £300 book vouchers as the prize for her winning design, was not expecting to be declared the winner.

“I don’t think anyone really expected to win,” Amy said. “When they called my name it took me a minute for that to register, I’ve never won an award before so it was definitely a memorable and exciting moment where I felt all the hard work last semester really paid off, and I was (and am) really grateful to be part of RGU.”

Neil Lamb, subject leader in Architecture, added: “The judges were really impressed with the high quality of Amy’s proposal, which confidently addressed the issues of bringing the Gray’s School building up to current, and indeed future, regulatory standards without compromising the quality of Shewan’s original and well-loved design.

“Amy’s design also looked at how the interior spaces could be re-imagined to create more flexibility and liberate larger more flexible open spaces in plan which could be used for a broader multitude of activates.

“They praised Amy’s exciting, thorough and professional approach which provides a solution that clearly shows how the building could be adapted for its future use.”

This is the 22nd year that the Rob Hunter Prize has been presented. It commemorates the life and work of the architect Rob Hunter who had an architectural practice in Edinburgh and who taught for many years at the Scott Sutherland School as a studio tutor.

There will also be a chance to see the work during the students’ end of year show, which will run between June 17 and 23.