Prize money from the Holcim Awards competition was used to develop the project: to survey the site, engage with an engineer, mobilize the community and support the project author for more than a year. Julia King designed and built a sewer for 322 low-income houses in New Delhi and is regenerating the Taj East Drain, which runs through slum areas. “I wanted to be an architect because I believe architecture can be used as a tool to improve lives”, said Julia King.

Currently, Julia is supporting the promotion of the 4th International Holcim Awards competition by lecturing in various cities in India at events organized by ACC and Ambuja, the Group companies of Holcim in the country. In commenting on the announcement of the shortlist, Julia King acknowledged the boost to her career provided by the “Next Generation” prize. “The support via the Holcim Awards and the Holcim Foundation has been a huge part of my professional formation”, she said.

Julia King’s work focuses on the future of urban development. She is undertaking a PhD at London Metropolitan University in the Architecture of Rapid Change and Scarce Resources department and is establishing a practice in New Delhi and London.  She is one of nine UK practitioners engaged in a ten-day lab to explore the theme “Future Cities” for UnBox, the Arts & Humanities Research Council, the British Council, and the Science & Innovation Network.

The winners of the AJ Woman Architect of the Year and Emerging Woman Architect of the Year awards will be announced in London on February 7, 2014.