Harrison School of Design Competition Winner Announced
Cloudy Nguyen Takes Home First Prize for Innovative Vietnamese-Inspired Hospitality Creation
Harrison, the full service 360 brand and design agency, is proud to announce the winners of its inaugural School of Design Competition. This ground-breaking contest challenged budding designers and architects from across the UK to showcase their visions for a dream restaurant space—free from the constraints of traditional academic settings. Contestants competed for a coveted prize, which included a paid internship with the award-winning, global Harrison team, alongside a cash prize to support their studies.
Designed to push creative boundaries and celebrate fresh perspectives, the competition invited participants to imagine and develop a captivating brand and food and drink concept. Entrants were encouraged to break norms and unleash their creativity to bring these unique concepts to life.
The first-place honour was claimed by Cloudy Nguyen, whose entry, VIE Dining, captured the judges’ attention with its thoughtful approach, extensive research, and strong storytelling. Cloudy’s concept for a contemporary Vietnamese premium dining restaurant elegantly merges modern accents with traditional Vietnamese patterns, drawing inspiration from the vibrant city of Hanoi. The concept emphasises authenticity, incorporating natural materials aged to withstand Vietnam’s tropical climate. Cloudy’s passion for promoting Vietnamese culture and cuisine through design was evident and distinguished her work from other entries.
Speaking about her win, Cloudy shared:
“I’m absolutely thrilled to have secured first place in the competition—what an honour. Creating VIE Dining was a labour of love, blending my passion for Vietnamese culture. It’s incredibly rewarding to see my vision for an authentic, yet contemporary Vietnamese dining experience resonate with the judges. The opportunity to intern at Harrison is a dream come true, and I can’t wait to contribute my ideas and learn from the talented team.”
Second place was awarded to Wong EnQi for her innovative *Extended Play* concept. Wong’s entry was notable for its strong brand content, carefully considered materials, and a clear vision of how interior design integrates with the overall restaurant concept. Her idea for a music-themed restaurant focuses on extending the vibrancy of local music and cultural scenes, with a particular emphasis on areas such as Manchester’s Northern Quarter. The design features sound-oriented elements and technical provisions for insulation, offering a unique dining experience that celebrates both culinary and live music artistry.
Kevin Grima, Creative Director at Harrison, expressed enthusiasm for the competition’s outcome:
“This was the first year we have run this competition, so we didn’t quite know what to expect. However, we have been incredibly impressed by the high levels of creativity and innovation displayed by all participants. Both Cloudy Nguyen and Wong EnQi have shown exceptional talent and creativity in blending cultural elements with modern design trends. Their entries are unique and bring fresh perspectives with an excellent attention to detail, which is exactly what we look for in the next generation of designers.”
He added:
“We don’t expect students fresh out of their studies to know everything—we are all still learning, developing, and growing every day—but having vision and the ability to channel what inspires and excites them into a design that is captivating, functional, and incorporates brand storytelling is very promising for the future of our industry.”
At Harrison, we have built a global business that thrives on delivering unique guest experiences reflecting cultural values and local community needs. Our team is excited to welcome Cloudy into our fold and looks forward to how her ideas will contribute to the future of restaurant design.”
The School of Design Competition has not only uncovered emerging talent but also has reinforced Harrison’s commitment to fostering innovation and talent in the design field. As the company continues to push the boundaries of creativity in the industry, it remains dedicated to providing platforms for emerging designers to share their unique vision and help shape the evolving landscape of restaurant design.
