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Four Northumbria University graduates have been helping put the North East on the architectural map.

Lee Boxall, Robert Threlfall, William Paul and Peter Wilson have all won awards or commendations in the 2005 Hadrian Awards which recognise the skills the North East's architects and architectural students bring to design.

The awards are organised jointly by RIBA, Northern Architecture and North of England Civic Trust, are supported by One NorthEast and the Northern Architectural Association and are sponsored by Ibstock Brick Ltd.

Awarded entries from Northumbria included a design for a Holy Island Visitor Centre by Peter Wilson. The 22-year-old was in his final year of a BA Hons course in architectural design and management when he submitted his entry, and graduated in July 2004 with a first class degree. He is currently on a two-year work placement in Newcastle with Ryder HKS Architects.

Peter said: "Winning the award was a really proud moment and a highlight of my studies."

His project for the Ouseburn Art Gallery also received a commendation, and in addition he collaborated on another commended project Eco-house ( which he worked on with students Lee Boxall and Robert Threlfall.

Lee graduated from Northumbria University in 2004 with a first class BA Hons in architectural design and management and is currently on a two-year work placement with Halsall Lloyd Partnership, Newcastle. Robert also graduated last year and is currently on work placement with architectural practice Newcastle's Reid Jubb Brown.

Robert said: "Eco-house was a response to the increasingly pressing issue of global warming and the sapping of the earth's renewable resources."

The fourth graduate to submit an awarded project was William Paul, who also designed a Lindisfarne Visitor Centre. William also graduated in July 2004 with a first class BA Hons degree and is also on a placement with Ryder HKS Architects.

For more information on the projects and awards visit www.hadrianawards.com