The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) today launches a new competition encouraging students to think creatively about ‘designing-in’ counter terrorist features into building blueprints.

The competition, entitled ‘Public spaces, safer places: Designing in Counter Terrorism’, intends to draw attention to the issue of counter-terrorism at the very start of the design process, for places visited and used by the public. Developed by the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA), the Home Office, the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) and the RIBA, the brief asks for design responses for a public space in the aftermath of a fictitious terrorist attack scenario in the heart of a major European city.

The competition is launched as part of the RSA’s Design Directions student award scheme, and is open to undergraduates, postgraduates and those in the first year following graduation. There is a £2,000 prize fund for this project.

John-Paul Nunes, Head of Education Projects at the RIBA said: “We are delighted to partner with the RSA, the Home Office and NaCTSO to develop this competition. It is our intention to draw attention to the issues of safety and counter-terrorism while promoting good architecture and design that enhances the quality of life for all.”