S1-S3

Information on the interdisciplinary competition for S3 students combining architecture and Spanish

Espacios Increíbles

Espacios Increíbles logo

Espacios Increíbles is a national, inter-disciplinary competition that combines and celebrates Spanish language learning with aspects of design and technology.

Organised by SCILT, in partnership with the Department of Architecture at the University of Strathclyde, the competition focuses on building valuable employability skills such as team-working, creativity, organisation, communication, problem-solving and many more. Espacios Increíbles aims to broaden learners' horizons and introduce them to potential career pathways in different fields, and not just the traditional careers of teacher or translator.

The final Espacios Increíbles took place over session 2022-23. 11 schools in 10 different local authorities signed up. Schools worked exceptionally hard on their entries. Six groups of S3 learners from schools across six local authorities earned their well-deserved place at the final, which took place on 24 May 2023 at the University of Strathclyde. Finalists presented their designs, in Spanish, to a judging panel, and the winning school was St Luke’s High, East Renfrewshire. Congratulations!

Visit the Espacios Increíbles case study for an overview of the project and resources for schools who may wish to carry out this project with their learners.

  • Inspired by the design-based television programme Amazing Spaces, BGE learners take part in the competition by designing their own “Espacio Increíble” for a location in a Spanish speaking country
  • The design must take into account the environment, climate, sustainability and socio-economic needs of the location as well as being creative and attractive
  • Open to S2 and S3 pupils, participants will carry out the design process, learn about the area of study and the Spanish required to present their final design to the judging panel, giving a rationale for the design and the various aspects of the project
  • Successful participants will then present their design in Spanish and pitch to a live audience, including a panel of judges, who will choose the winner at the grand final

The lucky winners each received a certificate of participation, along with an Amazon gift voucher.

The winners also received an Espacios Increíbles trophy for display in their school.

Finally, the winning team of 2023 won the chance to have an article including their design and presentation featured in the autumn edition of the prestigious Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) magazine. The RIAS was founded in 1916 as the professional body for all chartered architects in Scotland and is the leading institution on architecture and the built environment in the country.

"Our pupils really enjoyed taking part in Espacios Increíbles, and they were absolutely delighted to be awarded "highly commended." We really enjoyed the presentations too which really brought the event alive for them." 
Teacher at participating school
"It was an absolute pleasure to be able to deliver the Plenary speech at Los Espacios Increibles this year. Having now worked on this project for 3 years, it has been amazing to see the changes, improvements and learning points that have brought the project to where we are today." 
Niall Rachman, Director of First2Train
"I was really impressed with these talented young people. Congratulations for this great and innovative initiative." 
Cristina Gonzalez Longo, Senior Lecturer in Architecture, University of Strathclyde – guest speaker and judge
"We loved taking part and the pupils have improved in confidence and engaged in more Spanish as a result." 
Teacher at participating school

Article about Espacios Increíbles available to download (TECLA magazine, August 2021)

Lanarkshire secondary pupils win national Spanish competition (Daily Record, 30 May 2021)

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