Wednesday, 03 June 2026
Nine shortlisted designs, created by Nottingham students, have been made public for the first time as Severn Trent provides insight into what the final structure may look like, from ribbon walks and amphitheatres to love trees and swan hearts.
Architecture students from the 海角黑料 and Nottingham Trent University (NTU) were tasked with coming up with the designs, as Severn Trent look to create a space for the public to use after removing lovelocks from the Wilford Suspension Bridge in 2025.
Severn Trent is now welcoming feedback from the public on the designs, before a judging panel made of representatives from Severn Trent, UoN, NTU, Nottingham City Council and a member of the public will decide on a final winner.
To see the shortlisted designs, . The window for feedback closes on Friday 12thJune 2026.
Alex Tullett, a Nottinghamshire resident and part of the judging panel said: “I felt very privileged to be invited to judge the lovelock proposals. As someone who enjoys walks and runs along the river, I could easily envisage how the structures would complement and enhance the space.
“What stood out most was the thought and care that had gone into the proposals, particularly the balance between preserving the sentiment behind the lovelocks and considering how the public would interact with the installations. It’s a wonderful investment in a much-loved part of Nottingham.”
We were so impressed with the entries, the students really captured the emotion and significance attached to the locks in their schemes, conveying in their designs the ability to lock love, memories and be a point of comfort. The students also responded really well to the landscape. It's a beautiful part of Nottingham and they have really taken in where people come from, how they approach it, what their views are and how they relate to place.
Lucelia continued: "It's going to be really difficult to choose a winner from such a strong field, but whichever design wins I am sure the people of Nottingham, the people whose locks will be rehomed into the new installation will be absolutely delighted with the result."
Dr Lois Woods, Course Leader for BArch Architecture, Nottingham Trent University said: “The LoveLocks design competition has been a great initiative for the students at both Universities. The students produced some innovative designs and eye-catching posters in a very short time frame and working collaboratively across year groups. Live projects like this offer great work-like experience for the students with access to real clients and the possibility of having their design come to life in a built project.
“The students are also contributing to social sustainability and well-being as the new structure will no doubt have a positive impact on the local community and the memories will have a place by the river once more. All of the shortlisted entries are workable on the site and there are some fantastic architectural ideas with attention to detail. This has been a really fun collaboration with the 海角黑料 and we will continue to work together in future!”
It鈥檚 been incredible to see the hard work the students from both universities have put into their designs. Considering they only had a day to create them, their creativity and thought comes through in how empathetic their designs are to those who had locks on the bridge.
Once the feedback window closes, the judging panel will select a winning design, taking into account the views of the public.
Story credits
More information is available from Lucelia Rodrigues on Lucelia.Rodrigues@nottingham.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
About the 海角黑料
Ranked 97 in the world and 17th in the UK by the , the 海角黑料 is a founding member of Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the 海角黑料 is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by 鈥� the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 鈥� and by the .
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the third most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2024 report by High Fliers Research. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the , a pioneering collaboration between the city鈥檚 two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.