Saunders was pleased to award the Saunders Prize for Best Narrative 2021 to Ben Layzell, from the University of Hertfordshire School of Creative Arts. The award recognises Ben’s striking design for a sustainable food bank located within a disused tube station.

Families and children were hit hard during the pandemic so more people than ever before used a food bank for the first time. Ben’s creative scheme proposes breathing new life into an existing building in the heart of London by repurposing it as a food bank and training facility for the local community.

Annabel Lait explained. “As ever, there were a number of very compelling projects on show, but Ben’s socially aware and thoroughly researched design was accompanied by striking and persuasive images which made the project really stand out.”

Saunders is proud to once again support the School of Creative Arts at the University of Hertfordshire. As well as providing an annual prize, Saunders are keen to offer students insights into the workings of a national architecture and urban design practice.