Written by Team Sketch 42, from Middle East Technical University in Türkiye, brought their Industrial Design training to life in their first ever external design competition – and it paid off. The team’s outdoor student workspace concept earned them first place in Autodesk Designathon 2025, standing out for its strong balance of usability, sustainability and aesthetic coherence.
Their design blends open-air and semi-enclosed zones to support everything from quiet study to group projects, while maintaining comfort across seasons. A flower-shaped solar panel powers the space, rooftop greenery helps regulate temperature, and natural materials echo the brutalist tones of their own Ankara campus – the design’s core inspiration.
The team, comprising Alaaddin Şenli, Kaan Karagöz and Leyla Öztoktay, said:
“It was a great experience to push our limits and see what we can do as a team.”
For the students who are in their their second and third years of study, the Designathon was a leap into the unknown.
“This was our first competition entry outside school. We were really surprised and very happy with the results.”
Taking part taught the team more than just how to optimise Autodesk Fusion workflows. They honed their time management, improved their project planning under pressure, and learned just how clear communication is essential.
Their achievement has been recognised by their university.
Prof. Dr. Gülay Hasdoğan, Head of the Department of Industrial Design, Faculty of Architecture said:
“I’m proud of what Team Sketch 42 has achieved, placing first out of 178 teams. I’m impressed with how they drew on the climate and aesthetic of our own campus in Ankara to shape their design. That level of contextual thinking, where sustainability, the customer needs and visual language come together.
“Their ability to work in this way will serve them well both in their remaining studies and as they move into their professional careers. I’m delighted to see their talent being recognised on such a big stage.”
Designathon 2025, organised by KnowledgePoint, was the third edition of a two‑day international online design challenge for teams of engineering and industrial design students. Students were offered training to boost their Autodesk Fusion modelling skills and learn about key workflows.
They then worked in teams of two or three to respond to a sustainable design challenge – the student teams were asked to design an accessible, aesthetically-pleasing outdoor hub where students can gather, work and charge their devices. The solution needed to use a renewable energy source (or sources) for the electrical supply. The design needed to consider durability, usability and impact on the environment.
This year teams of students from 140 educational institutions took part. 178 projects were submitted, involving 446 participants in 17 countries. Entries were of a very high standard, making the selection of winners very difficult for the jury.
The jury said: “This project was selected as the first-place winner due to its combination of exceptional 3D modelling, attention to detail and design aesthetics. Combining semi-enclosed and open-air spaces, the design offers students an accessible, multi-functional and aesthetically-pleasing hub. Solar-powered, the project clearly takes into account its impact on the environment.”
Find out more about Designathon 2025 and Autodesk’s commitment to education here.