School of Arts and Architecture graduate Elija Halil has been awarded Highly Commended in the AJ Student Prize 2026’s postgraduate category, for his project exploring over 2,000 years of Dover’s buried history.
Elija, who recently graduated with a Masters degree in Architecture at Kent, was formally recognised at the AJ Student Prize 2026 ceremony (organised by The Architects’ Journal) earlier this month.
The project, titled ‘The Ground Remembers’, examined how architecture can reveal and reconnect Dover with its archaeological past. Beneath the coastal town lies an extraordinary record of human occupation, from the ancient Saxon shoreline to the remains of a Roman bathhouse and a Norman church. Rather than approaching archaeology as a collection of isolated artefacts to be preserved beneath the ground, the project considered how the process of excavation itself can become an architectural experience – inviting visitors to descend through the historical layers of the town.
The judging panel described Elija’s work as ‘powerful, impressive, confident and thought-provoking’ and as ‘an amazing magnum opus of a project’. The panel praised Elija’s research, concept and presentation.
On being highly commended, Elija said: ‘To have The Ground Remembers recognised by The Architects’ Journal is an incredible honour. This project became much more than an academic exercise. It challenged how I understood architecture, how I approached research and how I began to develop my own identity as a young designer.
‘What fascinated me about Dover was the extraordinary amount of history beneath a town that people move through every day, often without realising what exists below them. I wanted to explore whether architecture could do more than protect these histories.
‘Receiving this recognition, particularly among such talented graduates from across the country, means a great deal. It is a reminder of the importance of pursuing ideas that challenge you, even when the process is difficult.’
Dr Ambrose Gillick, the MArch Course Lead at Kent’s School of Arts and Architecture, added: ‘Elija’s award of Highly Commended at the AJ Student Prize 2026 is a reflection of his dedication to the task of becoming an intuitive, thoughtful, rigorous and inspired designer. He has achieved this to such a high degree, all whilst being a great member of the student body and holding down a job. He never failed to attend class with new thinking, abundant work and real engagement.‘
Elija’s recognition at the AJ Student Prize 2026 follows his nomination for a RIBA President’s Medals Silver Medal. As he continues his professional career as an architectural designer, Elija hopes to develop his architectural interests through practice, independent projects and creative collaborations, building upon the research and design principles established during his postgraduate studies.