Castle House is delighted to announce the winner of its rooftop design competition, launched in collaboration with Nottingham Trent University.
Following an inspiring response from students, Pavan Kalyan Sadasivuni, who is currently completing an MA in Interior Architecture and Design at Nottingham Trent University, was selected as the winner with his innovative proposal, “Rewoven Terrace.”
Designed to transform Castle House’s rooftop into a unique, sustainable and socially engaging space overlooking Nottingham Castle, Pavan’s concept impressed the judging panel with its creativity, attention to detail and thoughtful interpretation of Nottingham’s heritage.
A Design Inspired by Nottingham
The winning proposal reimagines the existing rooftop as a biophilic retreat, making use of the current pergola structure while introducing sustainable materials including bamboo, reclaimed rope and CNC-cut plywood inspired by Nottingham’s world-famous lace industry. The design also draws inspiration from the natural character of Sherwood Forest, incorporating planting, climbing greenery and social spaces to create a rooftop destination that connects guests with both nature and the city’s rich history.
The scheme places sustainability at its heart through the adaptive reuse of the existing structure, renewable materials, native planting, passive shading and low-energy lighting, with an estimated 30–40% reduction in embodied carbon compared with a conventional rooftop refurbishment.
Supporting Emerging Talent
The competition was created to give students the opportunity to respond to a live commercial design brief, encouraging creativity while providing valuable real-world experience.
Speaking after learning that his design had been selected, Pavan said:
“I honestly don’t know how to express how grateful and excited I am. It truly means a great deal to hear that my proposal has been selected as the winning design, and I am incredibly honoured that it was so well received by the judging panel.
Designing the Castle House rooftop has been an incredibly rewarding experience, and I am genuinely excited about the opportunity to work with Castle House to bring the proposal to life.”
Pavan, who remains a Nottingham Trent University student until September, also highlighted the value of the collaboration between education and industry:
“I hope this project can serve as an example of how collaboration between academia and industry can inspire creativity, support student development, and contribute to the growth of a stronger and more connected local community.”
Looking Ahead
Castle House is now looking forward to working alongside Pavan to develop the winning concept and bring the design to life over the coming months.
The rooftop already offers spectacular views across Nottingham Castle, and the proposed enhancements will further elevate the guest experience by introducing sustainable planting, carefully designed social spaces and features that celebrate the city’s unique heritage.
The competition forms part of Castle House’s ongoing commitment to supporting local talent, investing in exceptional guest experiences and strengthening partnerships with Nottingham Trent University and the wider community.
Hannah Ellis the owner of Castle House said about Pavan’s entry
“The quality of the entries exceeded our expectations, but Pavan’s design stood out for its creativity, sustainability and understanding of the Castle House brand. We’re excited to work together to bring his vision to life.”
The rooftop competition marks the beginning of what Castle House hopes will be a long-term partnership with Nottingham Trent University. With several exciting projects planned for the future, the team is keen to continue engaging with the University’s outstanding creative talent. The quality, professionalism and originality of the entries received have been truly impressive, demonstrating the incredible calibre of students at NTU and reinforcing the value of collaboration between industry and education. Castle House looks forward to creating further opportunities that inspire innovation, support student development and contribute to Nottingham’s thriving creative community.