Showcase 2025 Student Spotlight: Kerry Foster
Student Spotlight featuring BSc (Hons) Architectural Technology student Kerry Foster and her project 'Derby Ice Arena'.
By Jon Duckworth | Published on 10 April 2025
Categories: Student Showcase; School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment;
The Project
Derby Ice Arena is a proposed development aimed at revitalising a city centre in need of regeneration. Designed as a versatile venue, the arena would host a wide range of events, including competitive sports, exhibitions, conferences, and live performances.
A key objective of the project was to establish a vibrant sporting hub within the city, complementing nearby facilities such as Pride Park Stadium and the velodrome. To support this vision and promote well-being, the scheme includes two integrated gyms, one public and one private, enhancing accessibility and encouraging community engagement in health and fitness.
The scheme has two integrated gyms to promote public engagement in health and fitness.
The inspiration behind the project
Kerry was inspired by the site’s industrial history and railway heritage and sought to reflect these influences through both materiality and architectural form. This is evident in elements such as the prominent arched entrance, the use of red brick, and metallic finishes throughout the design.
Movement also played a central role in shaping the scheme due to the association of ice-related sports and motion. This concept is displayed in the intricate façade, which features staggered vertical fins of varying heights and metallic finishes. Each fin reflects light differently, creating a shifting visual effect that evolves throughout the day. As the sun moves, the interaction of light and shadow alters the perception of the façade, producing a sense of constant transformation and flow.
The intricate façade has fins that reflect light differently, creating a shifting visual effect that changes throughout the day.
The project experience
Kerry considers undertaking a project of this scale to have been immensely valuable to her development, pushing her to advance both her technical proficiency and creative thinking. She says: "Designing a building without the collaborative support typically found in the industry has allowed me to work across all aspects of the project, offering an insightful perspective on the architecture industry from a student standpoint. Moreover, I have thoroughly enjoyed this project due to its alignment with my passion linked to the building typology (ice skating). This personal connection has made my major study project both highly engaging and enjoyable."
Movement plays a central role in shaping the scheme due to the association of ice-related sports and motion.
Being part of NTU
About her time at NTU, Kerry says: "The Architectural Technology course has a strong emphasis on Building Information Modelling (BIM) and the future of architectural practice, which has equipped me with highly sought-after skills, ensuring I am well-prepared for the evolving industry.
"My placement year was particularly valuable, providing real-world experience and first-hand insight into a professional working environment. Working on large-scale commercial projects accelerated my technical development and deepened my understanding of industry workflows. This experience also provided the opportunity to secure a job offer and funded tuition for my final year of study."
Kerry Foster - BSc (Hons) Architectural Technology
Kerry says that some of the most memorable aspects of her time at NTU have been the study trips which were undertaken as a cohort.
"The recent trip to Glasgow was particularly memorable, offering a valuable opportunity to explore the city's architectural landscape whilst spending time with the course group ahead of graduation. A standout moment was the group dinner and evening social, which offered an occasion to mark our final trip together."
Closing remarks
For potential future Architectural Technology students, Kerry offers the following assurance: "The course is predominantly coursework-based, requiring consistent effort throughout the year to manage the workload effectively. However, it allows for creativity and a steadier examination process, which ensures that the effort you invest directly influences the results you achieve."