Certified architect from India with around 3 years of professional experience, with the dream to be able to inculcate the knowledge of an existing city’s architectural ancestry and its people into the modern technological age we thrive in; a way that maintains environmental safety by ensuring sustainability of what we create.
Part 1:
Aedas Ltd (6 months), Venkatramanan Associates (3 years)
TKMCE, India

Part 2:
Manchester School of Architecture
Atelier: Advanced Practice

Design approach: Human Centric Design with Advanced Technology

In this project we aim to create a more attractive public spaces in Nelson’s town centre. Our intervention will encompass temporary structures that can be adapted based on the different needs and desires of the town centre. These structures will serve as a catalyst for both social and economic activities. Through their adaptability we aim to offer opportunities for leisure and economic development such as outdoor public seating, market stalls and other activities that arise from the everyday.

We are also aware that the town of Nelson has a diverse community, with a mix of different cultures and faiths. Therefore, our proposal will aim to include every segment of the community and not neglect the people of Nelson. Our temporary structure aim to embody the rich diversity of the town and its different activities.

Our design will not only help the residents of Nelson, but it will create a landmark for the town to identify with. Our environmental intervention will create a safe environment for the local community, and we achieve this by using locally sourced building materials and involving the locals in the design and building process. Overall, our proposal aims to breathe new life in the town centre and forge stronger relationship within Nelson’s diverse community.

During our time together, Space Invaders will be looking into temporary portable structures and how they can be adapted for different activities that might happen in the town centre of Nelson. To explore these ideas further we will be doing models at 1:10, producing sketches, drawings, and diagrams.

During the two weeks we will be working in different mediums both digital and hand drawn to create convincing visuals. In addition to this you will also network with professionals from the art industry. We hope to use the knowledge we have all accumulated to identify and solve some of the existing challenges the town faces and make positive impact in the life of the residents of Nelson.

In-Situ is an embedded arts organisation based in Pendle, Lancashire. In-Situ’s vision is for art to be part of everyday life; for our art to be an art of action; for our art to contribute to society as a whole; for our art to challenge current thinking about environment, people, place, and culture.

Founded in 2012, In-Situ works alongside the local community to create visible, self-sustaining art and culture, through a range of collaborative artworks, events, local and international artist residencies and partnerships with other organisations.

Closely working with Paul Hartley of Organisation and Development, we intend to achieve success in defining a brief and to closely work with the citizens.

Pendle Borough Council is a district council in England, that has authority covering the borough of Pendle in Lancashire. Elections to the council are held in three out of every four years, with one third of the 49 seats on the council being elected at each election.

The Nelson Town comes in the Pendle Borough Council and the authorities have been kind enough to aid us with the necessary information to attain the success of the project.

In 1999 the Building Bridges Pendle became a constituted body and registered with the Charity Commission.  In the year 2012 they further developed their status to become an incorporated body as a registered Company Limited by Guarantee and Charity under one constitution. 

Their aim is to improve community relations and community cohesion by raising awareness and understanding amongst people about different cultures; promoting common values; and helping people to develop friendships that cross cultural and community boundaries.

Having developed and sustained our work for nearly two-decades, their history, track record, profile and current work has firmly marked their position as an organisation committed to ground-breaking and innovative work in the field of Education, Interfaith and Community Cohesion.

Project Manager Rauf Bashir has been kind enough to pitch in his expertise on the project to lead us in the right path.

Today marked the start of the MSA Live 21 Events and the Space Invader family has gotten bigger. Introducing BA students into the team. The first meeting along with the external partners.

Initial response by the BA students on the Nelson Redevelopment. They were able to analyze issues brought up by the external partners and come up with individual elucidations to them. A really productive day and an excellent start.

Currently a second year student at the Manchester School of Architecture. I am from Italy and have a particular interest in contextually rooted design that recalls historical heritage. I am very much eager to explore and discover new methods of design while expanding my skill set and testing sustainably innovative concepts. I particularly enjoy working with mixed media, combining hand drawing with digital diagramming.

I am a first-year student passionate about modern architecture and art. I am interested in creating sustainable, green architecture and designing unique spaces that influence human life. I am keen on learning new things and broaden my knowledge through exploration, research and teamwork. I especially enjoy using graphic skills and various media to develop and represent different concepts.

I am a first-year student at Manchester School of Architecture from Indonesia. I am interested in designing spaces with particular attention to generating enjoyable user experience. I also like urban sketching and photography.

A second-year student from Trinidad. I am particularly interested in passive design and vernacular architecture. I hope to make a positive impact on the natural and built environment wherever I end up!

Currently a 1st year student at MSA. I have great passion in architecture where I love to invest my time into drawing and I also enjoy designing special and intriguing stuctures. I strive to help the world through architecture by building sustainable structure that can help the environment.

A first year architectural student. I am most interessed in the storytelling of architecture and how to create structures that communicate and interact with users as they move through them.

Year 1 BA architecture student from Glasgow currently studying at MSA. I am interested in the future of sustainable architecture and renovating existing places to look more modern. I enjoy doing technical drawings and developing my 3D software skills. I work great both individually and in groups.

BA2 student from Australia studying at Manchester School of Architecture. Passionate about contemporary architecture combining innovative materials with a strong influence on sustainability and passive design strategies. Highly ambitious with a strong work ethic, focused on creating a connection between architectural developments and the ways in which they co-exist within their environment.

One of the ideas produced was to find a middle ground for the young and the old. In the age of flexible architecture, we are working on sustainable and innovative ways to bring different generations together to enjoy public spaces. Work by Anita Luburic, Ke Han Oh, Oliver Chard

The second idea of the day was to introduce parasitic architecture into the city to induce interactive and multi-use spaces wherever space optimisation is required – Work by Virginia Italia, Regina Anna Jedrzejek, Fanta Dembele.

The third idea was to intertwine arts (music and dance) into the heart of the city to make it livelier for the people of Nelson. This will enable people to have more activities during the day and night and hence a dynamic town – Work by Kerryn Arianne Karishma Peters, James Baker, Rana Pauliana Budianta

Further working on bridging the gap between the generations, the idea is to design an interactive pod that is enjoyable for all. This pod will comprise of multiple activities like vertical chess boards, swing sets, hammocks, seating areas and green spaces. The pod is to be made with sustainable materials like recycled timber and Strings. Work by Anita Luburic, Ke Han Oh, Oliver Chard.

After a detailed study on the ergonomics, mobile and flexible structures, and the needs of the people of Nelson, our second intervention is to create a flexible and mobile pod that can be instilled in any part of the town. These pods can be dismantled and fit back like lego blocks depending on their use. Work by Virginia Italia, Regina Anna Jedrzejek, Fanta Dembele.

We are currently exploring different ideas such that various art forms can be instilled into the heart of Nelson town in such a way that the streets are livelier, and people are constantly entertained with activities that they can take part in and not just be a spectator. Work by Kerryn Arianne Karishma Peters, James Baker, Rana Pauliana Budianta.

In-Situ and Building bridges pendle organised a community consultation in Pendle to get the residents amped up to understand their issues more. We from the Space invaders team were able to attend and interact with residents to know more about their prejudices and take on things. It was quite insightful and hence enjoyed by all.

Focussing on bridging the gap between generations, they are currently working on structural development on their designs further. Materiality of the project is a mixture of timber and ropes of recycled material. Different types of games to get the people to have fun and interact with one another is their spotlight on the pod. - Anita Luburic, Ke Han Oh, Oliver Chard

Emphasising on flexible furniture, this group is focussed on how to sustainably use pipes as the centre of their structure. The pod is to be used as a regular seating but can be further reorganised to form a skating arena. Paving the way for modern furniture, they are focussing right now on the core structure of the pod. - Work by Virginia Italia, Regina Anna Jedrzejek, Fanta Dembele

Music is what joins the city. Introducing Karaoke pods on different parts of city was well received by the external partners. Further developing their designs, this group is working on the structure of the pod. The material focus is SIPs and translucent facades. – Work by Kerryn Arianne Karishma Peters, James Baker, Rana Pauliana Budianta

Advancing on the design, group 3 has advanced to the stage where they are focussing on the basic structure of their pods and additional uses that can be integrated into the pod. They are currently working out the technical design details on how to make the structure lightweight after integrating the multi uses. – Work by Kerryn Arianne Karishma Peters, James Baker, Rana Pauliana Budianta

Working further on the materiality and the structure of the pod, Group 1 has advanced to exploring options and try different iterations through physical modelling. They have focussed on the usage of sustainable ropes and timber frame structures and how to successfully fusion these. - Anita Luburic, Ke Han Oh, Oliver Chard

Different iterations on how to integrate pieces of a skatepark into a pod and vice versa, were the main focus of their design evolution. They were also able to look further into their structural design and finalise the materiality of their intervention. - Work by Virginia Italia, Regina Anna Jedrzejek, Fanta Dembele

Group 3 was able to use physical models to further their design. They want to be able to open up the pod to transform to an exhibition space during the day while it remains a karaoke pod at night. They were able to successfully decide on their structural design and materiality of the pod. – Work by Kerryn Arianne Karishma Peters, James Baker, Rana Pauliana Budianta

We were able to finally complete our project with satisfaction and we were extremely happy to have been on the same team. We really enjoyed working together to come up with innovative design solutions to the town of Nelson. We are also extremely grateful to MSA for this wonderful opportunity.

We are stuck at a crossroad facing an accelerating rise in antisocial behaviour, minimal access to interactive facilities and a lack of equal opportunities for all. Nelson is currently overwhelmed by these factors which are causing its inhabitants to move away and seek greater opportunities in larger cities. This project explores ways which will help accommodate the needs of the older generation that feels isolated and is lacking emotional fulfilment that comes along with intergenerational bonding. We are also targeting the younger generation who will benefit from surrounding themselves with those who are older than them and those who are able to teach them the life skills they will not be able to learn by staring into their smartphones. We are providing optimistic and playful ways to create an interactive facility which will help merge this generation gap and aid Nelson to become an ideal place for those living in it.- Anita Luburic, Ke Han Oh, Oliver Chard

The town of Nelson in Lancashire, England appears to have lost its identity and purpose, with both travellers and locals reaching different destinations and overlooking the spatial potential that is right in front of them. Appealing to the community and regenerating the town as a destination rather than a fleeting element was key in developing the proposal. Forming an attractive, lively, and interactive environment would be a step towards the salvation of Nelson’s architecture and people. To achieve this, our proposal seeks to encourage social behaviour by offering means of gathering and interaction. The jigsaw-inspired space would create seating, standing, and meeting space while playfully combining the elements of a skatepark, a feature largely desired by the
town’s residents. Pieces fit together like a puzzle, but in dismantling them one can form their own personal space while also having the option to use those same forms as a skatepark. -Virginia Italia, Regina Anna Jedrzejek, Fanta Dembele

We propose the creation of a pop-up karaoke booth to breathe life into the nights of Nelson and provide a mixed-use public shelter during the day. This space will be built by the people of Nelson, decorated by its schoolkids and used by the whole community. A built-in projection, lighting and sound system will advertise nearby businesses and screen local films during the day, transforming at night into a performance space, with moveable, partially transparent, walls that give the user full control over the booth’s level of privacy. Music and light will emanate out from the structure, animating the streets of Nelson. -Kerryn Arianne Karishma Peters, James Baker, Rana Pauliana Budianta