In this project we will focus on developing research skills, graphic design, mapping exercise and utilising design software including the use of QR code. By imagining new possibilities around Albert Square and Manchester Town Hall, we will adopt strategies for research and representation by using mixed media to convey spatial arrangement, connect physical and digital infrastructure and enhance visitors’ experience. There will be series of workshops conducted by our dedicated team members to ensure everyone is catered and looked after as a team. We appreciate knowledge and skills exchange and believe everyone has something to contribute!

The session starts with an ice-breaker game by using Kahoot online application. In this game, participants have to guess the missing landmarks when their iconic buildings were removed! The lesson was to sharpen our observations towards surrounding context, and on how we approach buildings. In this case, imagining Town Hall was missing and left only the Albert Square as a gateway to the building. We would like to congratulate the top three winners in this game, Charlotte Bell, Charlotte Farrel and Charlotte Ellis!

HERITAGE TEAM: REFINING STORY OF ALBERT SQUARE

After an informative sharing session with Meg McHugh and Tamara Karim, the Heritage Team went back to our Miro board and start discussing refinement on the topics to be covered within our interpretation of Albert Square. We have narrowed down 7 main topics which aligned with the current proposal of the Heritage Team of the restoration project, which Meg was a part of. They are:

1. Introduction to Albert Square and Town Hall
- covering background information of the two important landmarks
2. Historical facts
- narrating why it is built? How? Where? And when?
3. Existing sculptural/ art collections
- showing current collections on display including one of the most celebrated 'treasures', the 12 Manchester murals
4. People behind the scene
- stakeholders directly and indirectly working on and affected by the changes of the square and Town Hall over the years
5. Conflicts and controversies
- informing past issues such as protest on Town Hall demolition
6. Manchester and the World
- inclusivity of the space to be a medium that tells the story of everyone, 'Voice of people' , blurring the division between people in the city centre and those outside
7. Digital infrastructure
- representation method to ensure inclusivity for all

Our refined story topics will be integrated to go hand-in-hand with the visitor experience centre and QR code display concept produced by the Design Team

HERITAGE TEAM: DRAFT LAYOUT
By Farah

To prepare ourselves into the next final week, Heritage Team comes up with several page layout options to consider how the research materials so far can be effectively communicated and visualised. We give each other feedback through our usual 'show and tell' session at the end of the day.

HISTORICAL EVENTS BY SAMUEL JONES (BA STUDENT)

As we move towards the deadline before meeting our partners, we observed some really high quality outputs from the team members! Sam is currently working on the 'Events' page which outlines key historical moments and turning points in Manchester Town Hall and its relationship with the wider context.

CONFLICTS & CONTROVERSIES BY CHARLOTTE FARRELL & CHARLOTTE ELLIS (BA STUDENTS)

Complementary to Sam's work, Charlotte Farrell and Charlotte Ellis are currently working on the 'Conflicts and Controversies' page which emphasised the role of Manchester Town Hall and Albert Square as a place to congregate the people of Manchester together during difficult times. Poet Tony Walsh read his poem 'This Is The Place' at Albert Square following the Manchester Arena attack in 2017.

EXISTING COLLECTIONS BY FARAH FUAD (M.ARCH STUDENT)

Farah's work looks into the existing collections in the Town Hall. There are over 3,000 hidden 'gems' ranging from sculptures to silverwares in the Town Hall yet they are not well known or discovered much from the public in general.

THE WIDER MANCHESTER BY ELLIOTT TAYLOR (M.ARCH STUDENT)

Elliott's page focuses on the wider context of Manchester, whereby the shift in focus to the rich cultural and historical diversity of it's people can be reflected within the proposed design installation to be constructed on Albert Square - a new space intended to associate specifically with Mancunians in a contemporary setting, and provide an alternate social approach to the area that promotes inclusiveness for local communities, as opposed to the more pristine, and rather elitist surrounding monuments.

THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE SCENE BY SYAHIRAH HANIS (M.ARCH STUDENT)

This page looks into highlighting prominent people behind the realization of Manchester Town Hall, Albert Square as well as the heritage dotted around the area. While it is important to remember and give credits to the pioneers in the 19th century, it is also essential to showcase people who work hard behind the scene today in the 21st century through the Our Town Hall project, which one day will go down in history as well. As it is a project with the local community at its heart, the Mancunians are especially important as we invite them to share their stories with us at our proposed visitor experience centre in Albert Square.

LANDMARKS BY KOSTIS KATSIMIS (BA STUDENT)

Kostis contributes to the interactive feature that goes with the QR code interface. This page allows visitors to understand and appreciate the surrounding historical context of Albert Square such as the statues (and the stories behind each), as well as identifying several Listed Buildings Grade I and II nearby.

PAST VS PRESENT

Offering windows into the past, translucent photo boards mark key points in space and time. Sited at precise locations, both modern and historic views can be experienced simultaneously by simply looking through the image. The experience is further enhanced with the inclusion of QR codes that signpost visitors to online resources allowing them to delve deeper into the heritage of the city.

PAST VS PRESENT

Isn't it great to fall back on your memories just to relive some moments. Similarly this idea was derived in context to Albert square, the historic moments that took place in the past and a chance to relive them. The concept revolves around significant viewpoints arranged around the square with perspective image of the past co relating to the current day area of the square. This helps us to acquire a broader and richer understanding of history of albert square and Manchester townhall and also acknowledge the world we live in today and our place in it. It aids in preserving the heritage through memory as well.

The People Who Make It Happen!

Massive thank you to the BA team members in the Heritage Team who contributed to the narrative, in-depth research and original outputs to the publication. From interactive pdf, historical collages, illustrations, and photo montages, we appreciate the skills exchange and have learned a lot from each other as a team. It was truly a pleasant experience to work together!

The People Who Make It Happen!

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the BA and MLA team members in the Design Team who contributed to the design concept, developments and technical detailing in this project. From concept sketches, render images, visualisations and Rhino workshop series, we feel like everyone knows how to maximise their own skills and potentials to create distinctive yet complementary and cohesive outputs.

PUBLICATION

We are proud to present the final publication which we shared with our collaborator, Lendlease. We had a lovely chat, feedbacks and reflections towards the end of today's session. Can't believe how much work can be done for such a short period of time. Well done!