A challenging yet rewarding experience... And the winner 2026 is...

After an intensive and inspiring journey, the final workshop day of the SBE Student Challenge (Edition 6) took place at the offices of De Werkvennootschap in Brussels.

The day started with the students arriving on site, where they were given the opportunity to put the finishing touches on their designs for the brand-new connection across the Willebroek Canal in Brussels-Vilvoorde. In the final hours before the jury moment, the teams refined their concepts, aligned their storylines and rehearsed their presentations.

Presenting the Bridge Designs

In the afternoon, the jury arrived and the four teams each presented their vision for the bicycle connections. Every group approached the challenge from a unique perspective, resulting in four distinctly different proposals.

Group 1 stood out with a strong and well-structured presentation. They demonstrated a clear design methodology and showed a solid understanding of all disciplines involved. Their integrated approach and confident responses to the jury’s questions reflected strong ownership of the project.
Group 2 brought an architectural concept with a strong focus on user experience. Their idea of integrating viewing platforms on the bridge added value to the public domain. While the overall story could have been more structured, their design introduced creative and engaging elements.
Group 3 impressed with a thorough macro analysis and an ambitious, forward-thinking vision. Their proposal explored the integration of greenery on the bridge and surrounding areas. The concept was bold and innovative, pushing boundaries both architecturally and aesthetically.
Group 4 focused on innovation and material use, exploring new concepts and possibilities. Their design included detailed attention to elements such as lighting and visual experience. While multiple options were explored, their architectural vision showed strong potential.

With only two and a half days to develop their concepts, all teams delivered impressive results. The jury highlighted the high level of effort, creativity and multidisciplinary collaboration shown by every participant.

After careful deliberation, the jury unanimously selected Group 1 as the winner of this edition of the SBE Student Challenge.

Looking Back

With the Student Challenge, SBE aims to connect students with real-world infrastructure challenges and encourage them to think beyond the boundaries of their own field. The initiative offers participants a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience and develop both technical and soft skills.

We would like to thank the jury and of course all participants for their enthusiasm, dedication and hard work. Taking part in this challenge alongside a busy academic schedule is no small feat and the results speak for themselves.

Beyond the competition, this challenge once again proved the value of collaboration between different profiles and disciplines. We hope all participants not only enjoyed the experience, but also gained valuable insights they will carry into their future careers.

Be bold, be brave, and keep designing.