Former student celebrates design awards

Thu, Nov 2nd, 2023

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Congratulations to former Worth student Je Ahn who is celebrating a number of prestigious architectural awards.

Je’s architectural practice, Studio Weave, which he co-founded in 2007, continues to gain national recognition having recently received design awards for two of their most recent buildings.

Built at the rear of a charming Edwardian red-brick public library in the London Borough of Waltham Forest, Lea Bridge Library is a relatively modest multi-function extension which sensitively complements the existing building, bringing useful additional space to an important community facility and new life to a charming but neglected and misused historic garden.

‘Made of Sand’ has been shortlisted as one of the top six houses of the year in the widely-regarded RIBA House of the Year Awards 2023. Studio Weave worked with local craftsmen including a cob specialist on this two-storey extension to a traditional stone cottage to create the 2023 Small Project of the Year. The judges cited the building to be “a beautifully considered and delicately crafted two-storey project that has a surprisingly joyful and transformative effect on the traditional Devonshire stone cottage typology, of which it is now part.” The winner will be announced at the end of November.

Both projects were recognized by the Royal Institute of British Architects and the Civic Trust Awards for their technical finesse and design merit.

Studio Weave were also highly commended in the One-off Small Project Category in the BD Architect of the Year 2024 awards and nominated across three categories for their extensive contributions to British architecture.

After leaving Worth, Je – who was in Rutherford House and left in 2001 – studied Architecture at the universities of Bath, Delft and London Metropolitan and has gone on to win many major awards for his work. Alongside art and architecture projects, Je has led masterplans and development studies for local authorities and is a Built Environment Expert for the Design Council.

Studio Weave is also working alongside landscape and garden designer Tom Massey to design WaterAid’s debut garden show at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024. The pavilion will harness the power of rainwater collection and highlight the importance of sustainable water management to combat the effects of climate change.

Worth likes to keep in touch and hear what former students are up to in their lives, and we run regular articles featuring alumni.