Yida Zhou
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Young Architect of the Year
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Summary
Yida is an exceptional young architect dedicated to delivering thoughtful, sustainable, and community-focused design. With academic foundations in both China and the UK—spanning Xi’an Jiaotong, the University of Liverpool, and the University of Edinburgh—Yida brings a rich international perspective to every project, blending technical precision with a strong social conscience.
Since joining Holmes Miller in 2018, Yida has played a central role in shaping public architecture that empowers communities and enhances lives. His focus lies in designing inclusive, energy-efficient, and inspiring spaces—particularly in the sport and leisure sector, where architecture has a direct impact on health, wellbeing, and local resilience.
What sets Yida apart is his ability to lead with both creativity and responsibility. As lead architect for the Blairgowrie Recreation Centre—Scotland’s first Passivhaus-certified leisure facility—Yida delivered a pioneering design that achieves up to 80% energy savings when compared with traditional facilities. The centre serves as a vibrant, multi-generational hub, embodying his belief that public buildings should serve the many, not the few, and that sustainability must be embedded from the outset.
Yida’s work on the Meadowbank Sports Centre represents a transformative reimagining of one of Scotland’s most iconic sporting venues. Set within a complex urban context, the project integrates elite-level sporting infrastructure—including a full-size athletics arena, indoor track, and multi-sport halls—with welcoming community facilities. The redevelopment not only honours the site's legacy but establishes a new civic anchor for Edinburgh’s east end. Yida’s leadership helped navigate the technical and political complexities of the site while ensuring the resulting architecture is open, inclusive, and future-ready. The project is widely recognised for its contribution to urban regeneration and placemaking.
His involvement in Allander Leisure Centre further demonstrates his commitment to inclusive design. The project—winner of the Selwyn Goldsmith Award for Universal Design—combines traditional leisure amenities with integrated health and social care facilities. It exemplifies the move toward multi-functional public assets that serve broader community wellbeing.
Through each of these projects, Yida has demonstrated an exceptional ability to translate client aspirations into coherent, accessible, and environmentally conscious design. His design approach is defined by empathy, rigour, and collaboration—navigating complex briefs with clarity, and balancing technical performance with human experience. From concept to delivery, he brings an inclusive mindset that empowers clients, consultants, and contractors to deliver ambitious, socially valuable outcomes.
His growing portfolio reflects a maturity and sensitivity beyond his years, showcasing innovation grounded in purpose. Through every project, Yida is helping to redefine what public architecture in Scotland can and should be—accessible, sustainable, and deeply connected to the communities it serves.
Reason for nomination
Yida is nominated for Young Architect of the Year in recognition of his exceptional talent, leadership, and contribution to socially impactful, sustainable architecture. In every project, Yida demonstrates how design can be a force for positive change—enhancing lives, strengthening communities, and addressing the climate crisis.What sets Yida apart is his ability to lead with both creativity and responsibility. His role in delivering Scotland’s first Passivhaus leisure centre is a landmark achievement, not just in terms of energy performance, but in how it redefines the civic role of public buildings. Yida consistently champions architecture that is inclusive, resilient, and people-first.
His projects span new-builds, redevelopments, and retrofit interventions—all united by a focus on high-quality design and user experience. Whether it’s a hydrotherapy suite for vulnerable adults, or a competition-standard pool for young athletes, Yida designs with empathy and precision.
He is not only a gifted designer, but also a trusted collaborator—working seamlessly with clients, consultants, and contractors to deliver ambitious visions on time and on budget. Yida’s dedication, humility, and forward-thinking approach make him a role model for the next generation of architects and a worthy recipient of this award.