Birmingham class of 2026
London class of 2026
A tour of EH Smith's Design Centre in Digbeth
A tour of Kings Cross, including Gasholder Park
Judge Simon Delahunty-Forrest, Birmingham City Council
Judges deliberate over the Birmingham cohort's proposals, which included cafés, libraries, galleries, shops, youth clubs, sports facilities, open-air cinemas, public gardens, roof terraces and flexible community spaces. Sustainability ran throughout the projects, with thoughtful use of materials, planting and green spaces showing just how instinctively this generation is thinking about the future.
Howells Summer School ‘Class of 2026’
We recently welcomed a new group of aspiring architects and designers to our studios in both Birmingham and London for our 2026 Summer Schools.
Working on two live design briefs, the students embraced the challenge of thinking like architects from day one. In Birmingham, they reimagined the space between Howells and the EH Smith Design Centre as a new destination for Digbeth, while in London they designed pavilion buildings for the St Pancras Hospital site.
It’s been genuinely inspiring to see so many talented young people approach the challenges with such imagination, confidence and energy. Their ideas always inspire us and reminded us that great design starts with curiosity, collaboration and a willingness to question.
A huge thank you to everyone across Howells who gave their time throughout the week by leading workshops, mentoring students, modelmaking, sharing their experience and judging the final presentations. And to our partners at EH Smith, Solus, Birmingham City Council, for helping make this year’s Summer School such a rewarding experience.
Finally, thanks for all our incredible students. We look forward to seeing where the Class of 2026 goes next.
Written on 03.08.2026, by Lucy Swift
