MSA Live 25

Day 6

The second week begins!

After an amazing meeting with our collaborators last Friday, the team was fresh and ready to work on the feedbacks we recieved. A lot of discussions occupied the day.

A lot.

But that's what happens when a bunch of designers get together - we collaborate. Everyone has their own strengths and the project enabled us to use them. The result was a carefully curated yet culturally ambitious design - a co-working space with a cafe. Expandable and in phases. Takimg careful consideration of the landscaping, plantations and what Gorgeous Gorse Hill is well known for - its art. A hub for residents, artists and the community.

The team is super excited to see how this takes shape!

05.19 _ WORKSHOP DAY1

Today marked the first workshop day that we’ve been preparing for, and we quickly realised that we couldn’t really be prepared for what we had to come. While the day didn’t go completely to plan - including trouble with Wi-Fi meaning we couldn’t project the PowerPoint so Henry had to improvise (he deserves a real ‘well done’ for that) - the day was lots of fun, and we hope educational for the children as much as it was for us. For a lot of the group, it’s the first time we’ve worked with young children, and for some of us that have worked with younger children, it feels like it’s been a long time, so It has been a fun and interesting learning curve for all of us.

After the initial, partially improvised, PowerPoint in the hall, we went on a ‘site visit’ to look at the caretakers building that we have been working on and got the children to draw and note what they could see in the building and what more they want from it. The students got involved talking to the children about their ideas and why they wanted what they had drawn (ready for designs later on). We were really impressed with the creativity of the children and the variety of ideas that they were able to produce in a short amount of time with not too much prompting from us. Perhaps there are already a few budding architects in the group!

Next, we returned to the children’s three separate classrooms and got to paper folding. We were able to work with the children in smaller groups and got to know each of their personalities a bit better. There was such a variety in the decorated and built paper nets, really showing off each of the children’s personalities.

The day was a lot of fun (if tiring) with a promising start to the workshop and the ideas that could come from it. We’re ready and excited for the full day of work tomorrow getting more in depth with what an architect is and does and teaching the children some new things about the profession. We are hoping we can get them excited about the work and get some more great ideas generated in the coming activities that we can use later this week in a proposal of our own for the site.

Days 5 & 6 (16 & 19/5) : Design Feedback & Completion

On day's 5 and 6, the master's students gave feedback on the progressing designs which were then finalised with text, QR codes and merch placements. The Video Team continued to edit the content, creating a mixture of captivating clips for Radio Diamond's social media.

We were so impressed with everyone's work and unique ideas. Tomorrow, we will add any final edits, before printing and prepping for virtual and digital distribution across the city.

Day 6!

Today we conducted targeted software tutorials for the undergraduate cohort, giving them new insights into tools that enhance design presentation. Then, building on last week’s progress, the team reviewed the project and concentrated on refining the site plan. By the end of the day, we had reached consensus on a final layout, positioning the studio to focus on detailed design development in tomorrow’s session.

Day 6
A new week!

After a restful weekend, we resumed our design work. This week, we are moving into the next stage of the design process—transferring our hand-drawn sketches into digital form to create more precise drawings and digital models.

Day 06: Kicking off week 2 with some physical model making

Based on the draft plan we developed on Friday, combining our initial proposals from Week 1, we built a 1:100 physical model to help us better visualize the overall spatial arrangement and flow. Along with this, a revised site plan was drawn up in CAD. With this updated plan in hand, we began construction on our final 1:50 physical model which will represent our ultimate proposal for the forest school at Burnside.

May 19th

Progress is coming along well. Each group has been developing their work, either through physical models or technical drawings, depending on their chosen approach.

Day 6 – May 19th: Improving Design

After a weekend of rest, everyone returned to work with a new focus. We first reviewed the feedback given by customers last week and refocused on the combination of user experience and spatial practicality to ensure that the design direction is consistent with the needs.

Then, we continued to deepen the drawings and visualisation results according to the division of tasks between 2D and 3D groups. During this process, the team also taught SketchUp software to help everyone express spatial forms more flexibly and improve modelling efficiency.

At the same time, the arrangement of booklets was officially launched. We began to organise the design process, conceptual logic and key visual content, and set about building a complete design narrative.

Today was a busy and fulfilling day. The team collaborated efficiently and took a great step towards the presentation of the final results.

Day 2 - Examination of the street, collaborative proposals and group photo!

These were some of the initial concepts for reshaping the current streetscape—some focused on spatial configurations, while others emphasised enhancing the existing street. Even at this early stage, the possibilities are truly inspiring. By bringing together these diverse ideas, the street has the potential to become more vibrant and welcoming, attracting more people and enriching the city.

After pairing up into groups, the BArch students began to consolidate their ideas, shaping their concepts in a more structured way. They explored potential users, examined social issues surrounding the site, and considered how it would evolve throughout the day and across different seasons. Each group then had the opportunity to present their collected work, inspiring and motivating one another along the way.

DAY 6 – Drawings and Dialogue
Today was a productive and energising day.

Visual Development for Publication
The majority of our team continued working on diagrams for the final publication. The team members began developing model renders to communicate the massing and spatial atmosphere of our proposal. Simultaneously, we started drawing site plans, elevations, and sections to illustrate the architectural intent in greater detail. Axonometric diagrams were created to clearly express spatial relationships and hierarchies, while a series of sustainability diagrams began to take shape.

Engaging with the Community
Meanwhile, the others of the team returned to the United Didsbury Methodist Church to put up our community engagement posters. These included eco-friendly travel maps designed to encourage visitors to reduce their carbon footprints by choosing sustainable transport options. Alongside these, we installed interactive boards that invited people to share how they typically travel to the church, fostering engagement and awareness. We also presented visual prompts that outlined the sustainable strategies being considered in our project.

Day 6 -

Today we continued to expand our trail map by identifying and highlighting key buildings across Lindow Moss. These structures are shown on the map through illustrative elevations to serve as waypoints along the architectural trail.

Alongside this, we continued refining our intervention concepts through additional sketching, ensuring both elements work together as part of a cohesive spatial narrative. We have also begun to put together the final set of conceptual drawings

Day 6:
We are finalising the design today by extracting ideas from each group and aligning them with the requirements set by our collaborators, who want something building on-site. The pavilion is intended to be easy to construct, and we’ve decided to use timber for the structure. Besides the design itself, the main challenges we’re facing are determining how to build it and deciding on the appropriate scale.

Day 6: Design Development

Continuing with our design output from last week, today we carried on developing the design while doing the digital modelling. According to our final output plans, our group split into four sections based on the final output: lighting, furniture, partitioning and mural design. In the afternoon, we had a short summary of today's outputs and a presentation of tomorrow's plans.

Pictured: We are wokring hard!!!

DAY 6

Returning for the second week of MSA Live, on Day 6 we continued refining and organizing our materials for inclusion in both the publication and the output booklet for our collaborators. We completed our template layouts and began to populate the document with our refined information picked from the work completed in the previous week. Throughout the day, we also identified and addressed any remaining gaps in our content, discussing ways to complete the required documentation and then completing these objectives. Reconfiguring our poster, we have synthesized a new design for the booklet requested for our client, information that will form the backbone of our publication. DAY 6

Returning for the second week of MSA Live, on Day 6 we continued refining and organizing our materials for inclusion in both the publication and the output booklet for our collaborators. We completed our template layouts and began to populate the document with our refined information picked from the work completed in the previous week. Throughout the day, we also identified and addressed any remaining gaps in our content, discussing ways to complete the required documentation and then completing these objectives. Reconfiguring our poster, we have synthesized a new design for the booklet requested for our client, information that will form the backbone of our publication.

Day 6!

To kick-start the design week, we developed our conceptual designs from last week, beginning the process by drawing sketch plans, elevations, and sections. To warm up and bring some energy in the morning, we also played a few games such as the time guesser and food guesser!

In the afternoon, the Masters students each showed their portfolios to help the undergraduate students get a feel for each of our different ateliers; from [CPU]ai and Infrastructure Space to &rchitecture and FLUX. Lastly, to help set up the activities for tomorrow we held an introductory AutoCAD workshop as we take the sketch designs into the next, more technical stage.

This afternoon, we focused on further refining our concept designs. Our group explored different strategies for integrating social housing and community spaces - emphasizing flexible environments that adapt and respond to diverse needs and uses.

Day 6:

Starting the week by working hard!
We continue work on models. We are coming to the end of the modelling work. We talked about the details of physical model and start drawing them on cad file. For the digital model, we continue work on details in the room.

We were inspired by a case study! A board able to see through could be placed on the front of the chapel, not only to make it more interesting for visitors to explore, but also to serve as a representative sign of the Agecroft Chapel. It's an interesting design and is positioned on the most characteristic elevation of the chapel. The design is unique and we wanted to bring some special elements to the Agecroft Chapel.

Action Week: Day 6

Today is the first day of a new week, and our team members have begun to improve the feasibility of the plan. After communicating with Bolton worker last week, we will continue to improve the detailed design of the building plan and the detailed distribution design of the functional zoning. We also explained some design logic theories in detail to the undergraduate students and applied them to our design. Today's design content was also successfully completed.

[Day 5] Team Bonding

It’s been an intense first week. Huge thanks to everyone for the effort and amazing work. The outcomes have honestly exceeded expectations, and it's been great seeing the project come together like this.
Special shoutout to Jovan for the delicious Basque cheesecake—definitely the energy boost we needed! Great job, team. Let’s keep the momentum going 🚀

Beacon development + group crit

After the physical model was complete a crit was done by the landscaping team, we found that there may be some practical measures that include simplifying the construction process, reducing material complexity, and improving accessibility and maintenance. These thoughts led us to reimagine the current iteration of our beacon into a slightly more simplified structure that remains playful and engaging. The proposal thus becomes a mix of sculptural form and functional design that better integrates with the landscape and user interaction.

Day 6:

The second week of MSA Live continues!!!!

After a well deserved weekend break! The students began this week finalising their final design. With a final design, which has been agreed on from all students, the students were divided into groups to help create final images, models, and diagrams.

The final model is in progress and is already looking great!!

In the afternoon, we ran a D5 rendering software tutorial teaching the students a new software which they can develop and expand upon throughout their studies.

Day 6:
Moving forward with the design for the shelter, today we’ve consolidated a design as a group through iteration and discussion. We’re beginning to refine the design, think about appropriate materiality for the site and think about how local trades can construct it, a big part of Growing Togetherness’ ethos; a circular economy.

Following our weekend red pen review session, during which we thoroughly assessed the submitted visuals for mid-project review, the feedback was marked directly on the renders to clearly identify areas needing refinement. These annotations helped structure the next round of improvements, ensuring clarity ahead of the collaborator feedback.

Yesterday, we shared a glimpse of the updated renders with collaborators for early insight. Today, the bachelor's students are actively implementing the suggested changes, focusing on enhancing the quality of visualization, rendering, and overall post-production workflows. Their hands-on involvement has been pivotal in refining the outputs further.

We are now entering the final stretch of the project phase, aligning all elements for a cohesive and impactful presentation. The momentum is strong, and the collaborative effort across levels is showing impressive results.

15th May - Day 4 – Intensive Week:
We gathered at Geoffrey Manton 3.31, full of energy and ready to push the project further. While some of us focused on refining the layout and tying ideas together, the creek team worked simultaneously in the MTC Lab, developing key visuals and models. It felt like everything was finally falling into place—each step brought us closer to a more solid and exciting outcome!

Day 5 of Intensive Week – Site Clearance

Today our team headed to Monton Church for the first hands-on session on site. Working with a group of friendly, community-minded residents, we focused on clearing the overgrown vegetation along the western side of the site. We created a clear visual connection between the grounds and the church.

The original footpath had disappeared after years of neglect, so we We cleaned it up and restored clear boundaries. By the end of the day the pedestrian route was once again readable, and the whole site looked markedly tidier and more inviting. Several neighbours stopped by to thank us; their encouragement was a great boost and confirmed that the project is beginning to make a positive local impact.

On day five, we moved forward with developing the interactive elements by dividing into five groups, each focusing on a different game-like element of our wayfinding activity. Our day involved activities ranged from modelling a historical plaster detail in clay to digitally replicating intricate features in CAD for later laser cutting. Alongside these tasks, we conducted research and produced sketches to refine our ideas. This hands-on, multidisciplinary approach allowed us to explore both traditional craftsmanship and digital fabrication techniques, ensuring the interactive elements are both authentic and innovative.

The masterplanning and landscape teams have integrated the final ideas from the first round of sketches and translated them into three-dimensional models. At the same time, final adjustments were made to the design of the classrooms to align them with the landscape prior to review. The pergola design, which had previously been completed through a physical model, was now refined and expressed in more detail through a digital 3D form.

The work of all three teams has been integrated into one comprehensive 3D model. To ensure that the client clearly understood our concepts during Monday's presentation, we also created a set of rendered visuals to more intuitively communicate the space and design intent.

With all the preparations complete, we look forward to our upcoming interaction with the client and anticipate new feedback that will help us further improve the design.

16/05/25 |The 5th Day of Action Week

The end of the first week is coming soon!

Members made the final confirmation of the specific design plan of the model, and each group provided valuable suggestions on the output of the physical model. In the morning, the members still repeatedly discussed and revised the design. Even during lunch time, the intense discussion did not stop.

In the afternoon, the members were led to Studio B15, where they began to understand the machine and attempt cutting based on the design drawings. This is an interesting and pleasant brand-new experience for all the members! Every member personally participates in the operation according to the drawings, and everything is proceeding steadily as planned. Their seriousness and enthusiasm exceeded expectations and were a pleasant surprise!

This brings a perfect conclusion to the first week of our action week. This fulfilling and interesting process makes one have to look forward to the arrival of the next week. We are all confident that we will eventually complete the output that satisfies the collaborators of the poetry library!

The logistics for our boards are sorted, and our designs are finally feeling real, we’ve made them feasible, and we’re so close to bringing them to life. Modelling officially starts on Monday, and we’re ready!

Today, we took a little breather from designing and shifted gears to focus on storyboarding and building up our publication. The BAs jumped in with research, diagrams, and some amazing conceptual collages to help shape the narrative.

With everything coming together so smoothly, we’re feeling really positive about our progress and excited for what’s next!

From Workshops to 3D Modelling (with Ice Cream on Top!)
16/05/25

Another great day from a great team! Today’s session was packed with intense workshops and crits, but a real highlight was the 3D digital modelling tutorial we ran for the whole group. It was brilliant to see the master’s students sharing their skills, guiding everyone through modelling furniture pieces that will actually feature in our final design — making the session both fun and purposeful.

We ended the day on a sweet note with an ice cream party (because who doesn’t love ice cream on a hot summer’s day?). It was the perfect way to celebrate everyone’s hard work and appreciate the amazing energy the group continues to bring.

Day 5 roundup

The end of Action Week 1, and we’ve achieved a lot so far! Today we started to refine our initial ideas from day 4, and began to look at the designs at a more technical level, understanding the feasibility of our proposals.

Floor plans, facade designs, and concepts for the courtyard were all discussed, and we have begun to narrow down our scope to help focus our work in Action Week 2.


Next week…

We will work together to take the feasibility studies from this week and refine them further, creating a few final proposals that will be presented to the client.

Action Weeks: Day 5
Today, based on the feedback from our collaborator yesterday on the three designs and his main concerns, we have readjusted the design together. We drew different schemes on the whiteboard to discuss the possibility of the design. We combined the highlights of the three groups: the layout of the group 1, the flowing water roof of the group 2, and the coffee shop of the group 3. We used sustainable materials and determined the final design plan.
After determining the plan, we divided into two groups, one for SketchUp modeling and rendering, the other for the production of the master plan and other drawings.

Action week-day 4
Today our group members got together in the morning to discuss the final complete programme and finalise the design details. The group members then began to divide up the work of making the diagrams, some modelling, some making the master plan, and some beginning to plan the final publication

Day 5 : Fully Loaded Friday

Following on from Thursday’s discussions, we kicked off the day by tidying everything up, setting a consistent font style, size, and colour scheme across the whole publication. Got to keep it looking sharp and professional!

We also decided to relocate to the breakout area at Geoffrey Manton. The room we were originally given (also in the same building) just wasn’t cutting it for group work; it was too cramped and didn't have the best vibe for teamwork. So, we made the executive decision to move to the ground floor, which was much more spacious and collaborative.

Once settled, we divided up the tasks and made sure everyone’s contributing at least one page for next week’s submission. Teamwork makes the dream work, after all!

And shout-out to Lisa, our brilliant Budget Controller, who came through with muffins and cookies to keep us fuelled. Working hard and snacking smart.

DAY 5 - TASK 6 + TASK 7
Detailed Design + Cost Budget

Continuing in the same groups established earlier, we moved into the detailed design phase, aiming to refine each element of the project with precision and practicality. Groups worked on identifying appropriate materials, construction methods, and spatial arrangements, considering durability, cost, and aesthetic value. After group discussions and votes, the most suitable solutions were selected and compiled to inform the 3D model.

Following this, we transitioned to Task 7, where we collectively developed a cost budget and bill of quantities. This involved estimating material costs, labour, and aligning with the client’s financial parameters and overall project timeline. Every student contributed to this stage, ensuring the costing was grounded in the design work and reflected a feasible, deliverable proposal. This process strengthened our understanding of real-world project management and the practical implications of our design choices.

Day 3

DAY 3

Building on the critical observations of the site from Day 2, Day 3 shifted focus towards understanding the demographics and community. Students explored the social context of the chapels and their surrounding area, aiming to build future design decisions in the lived realities of local people.

The day began with an investigation into the demographics of the area using digital tools such as Digimaps and Snazzy Maps. These tools enabled students to visualise patterns of age, ethnicity, household composition, and socio-economic data, highlighting how spatial decisions can and should respond to the needs of the Ince community. By overlaying this data onto the site, students began to ask: Who lives nearby? Who visits? Who feels welcome here and who doesn’t? As a result, students developed a map integrating all of the data.

To expand this thinking, we looked at two precedent studies. These projects exemplify how temporary and adaptive design interventions can foster community engagement. We analysed how these spaces invited participation, created atmosphere, and responded to their urban or cultural context.

In the afternoon, we introduced iterative AI image generation tools to help students develop speculative design concepts rooted in the earlier demographic findings. This session was not about finalised proposals, but rather about translating insights into early design language. "How might a space reflect the diversity of its users?" "What forms could community participation take?" Using AI as a generative partner, students began to sketch and model initial responses to these questions, visualising architecture as a mediator of community identity and memory.

Overall, Day 3 encouraged students to think beyond the physical attributes of the chapels and begin considering the socio-spatial relationships that underpin meaningful design.

Day 4 of our action week is all about finalising the big ideas!

Today, our internal and external teams came together to finalise the concept. We made sure everything made sense, from the main idea to acoustic strategies, safety, and technical details in ensuring an inclusive space for the precious students of Delamere to enjoy music.

It was a day of thoughtful, brilliant discussions and helpful feedback from the students, which really helped to shape and improve the design.

With the concept now clear, coherent and aligned, we’re all set to move into the technical drawings tomorrow!

Day 4 (Afternoon) – Assembling Ideas and the Machine!

After lunch, excitement was in the air—the Possibility Machine was officially assembled! With the structure standing tall, each group presented their design ideas to Joseph, sharing their visions for stability, mark-making surfaces, and shelter.

It was a brilliant moment of collaboration, feedback, and fresh perspective. Spirits were high, and of course, we capped it off with a wholesome group photo—smiles all around!

This afternoon marked a major turning point: the team finally got hands-on with the physical build—the part we’ve all been waiting for.

Wish them luck as they take the next steps in bringing their designs to life!