Group 21
NEIGHBOURHOOD SWATCH

Chorlton is on the cusp of great change. Communities across the U.K. have been realising the need for neighbourhoods to be well-integrated with the residents for all-round sustenance. The pandemic has further reinforced and demonstrated this need. The aim of this project: turn Chorlton into a destination place and help Chorlton prosper. In this project, we are collaborating with Chorlton Traders Association to investigate the 15-minute Neighbourhood model and determining whether this is appropriate solution for the development of Chorlton. Week 1 will involve a site visit and the creation of a Masterplan, understanding the area and the changes that it is undergoing. Week 2 will see us expanding on these ideas, drawing on the ideas of prefiguration and developing a way that these plans can be implemented.

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Ulrick Rudy A / Emily B

Name:
Ulrick Rudy Agbodan

Atelier:
CPU[Ai]

Research Methods:
Prefigurative Architecture

Dissertation Topic:
Ai and the Urban, Urban Development & Deliveroo

Skills:
InDesign
Illustrator
AutoCAD
Rhino(ish)

Interested in:
Urban Development, Master-planning, Prefigurative Architecture, Programming

Experience:
BA(Hons) Architecture (2016-2019)
Part 1 MMU Estates Strategy (2020)
M(Arch) Manchester School of Architecture (2021-Present)

Favourite TV Series:
The Office (Duh), Power Ranger S.P.D, One Piece

Best Joke:
Did you hear about the claustrophobic astronaut?
He just needed a little space.
Posted 15 Mar 2022 20:50
Name:
Emily Butterworth

Atelier:
Continuity in Architecture

Research Methods:
Filmic Architecture

Dissertation Topic:
The commons in the city- parks, urban farming and age-friendly cities

Skills:
AutoCAD
Photoshop
Indesign
Hand Sketching

Interested in:
Contextual Design, Urban design, Masterplanning, Residential Typologies

Experience:
B(Arch) University of Nottingham (2017-2020)
Part 1 Architectural Assistant Leach Rhodes Walker (2020-Present)
M(Arch) Manchester School of Architecture (2021-Present)

Favourite TV Series:
Money Heist

Best Joke:
Did you hear about the baker who got an electric shock?
He stepped on a bun and the currant ran up his leg.
Posted 15 Mar 2022 20:52
Name:
Danish Farooqui

Atelier:
Infrastructure Space Research

Research Methods:
User Representations

Dissertation Topic:
Rethinking Urbanism through Slums

Skills:
InDesign
Photoshop
AutoCAD
SketchUp
Rhino

Interested in:
Infrastructure, Urban Design, Contemporary cities

Experience:
Bachelor of Architecture, India (2015-2020)
Descom LLP (2020-2021)
Manchester School of Architecture M(Arch) (2021-Present)

Favourite TV Series:
Game of Thrones (not the last season), HIMYM, Suits

Best Joke:
Do you know the difference between snow-man and snow-woman?
Snowballs.
Posted 15 Mar 2022 20:52
Name:
Kester Miller

Atelier:
&rchitecture

Research Methods:
Urban Anti-Urbanism in the C20th

Dissertation Topic:
Temporary Architecture, Circular Economy, Architectural ‘Lightness’, Cedric Price

Skills:
Photoshop
InDesign
Revit
Rhino
AutoCAD

Interested in:
Master planning, Inclusive design, Architectural Lightness

Experience:
BSc (HONS) Architecture - 2016-2019
Sheffield Hallam
Part 1 Architectural Assistant Foster & Partners (2019-2020)
M(Arch) Manchester School of Architecture (2021-Present)

Favourite TV Series:
The Sopranos

Best Joke:
Did you hear about the constipated mathematician?
He worked it out with a pencil…
Posted 15 Mar 2022 20:53
Meet our external collaborator! The Chorlton Traders Association is a community association of Chorlton Traders, working together for the benefit of all.

The association has a multitude of aims including;

- Discussion about local decisions
- Representing traders and residents as a single voice
- Communicate with local government
- Develop initiatives to gain opportunities for Chorlton
- Promote projects that will allow prosperity in Chorlton
- Planning long term goals to make Chorlton a great place to live and visit

The association is full of members who truly care and actively want to make Chorlton the best it can be to work and live.
Posted 15 Mar 2022 20:54
We are working with the Chorlton Traders Association to help regenerate the area through 15-minute neighbourhoods.

Regeneration: The 15-minute neighbourhood model will regenerate the immediate living environment, accommodation, the street, service availability to improve life satisfaction.

Community: The 15-minute neighbourhood model will encourage people to build a community that is self-sustainable by supporting local businesses and providing everyone needed within the boundaries of Chorlton. This will improve health and wellbeing, increase diversity, and provide a stronger sense of community.

Municipal: The 15-minute neighbourhood model will help to bring everything back to the local area. By attempting to create an economically viable district with high footfall the employment opportunities will rise. Eventually the wealth generated will stay within the local area and reduce economic and social inequalities.
Posted 15 Mar 2022 20:54
Within this project we will be using a variety of software. We will be helping you to build skills through workshops and then use these skills to complete the project. Throughout the two-week project we will be available for questions and to assist with any issues with software.

Adobe Photoshop: To edit photos, create site analysis diagrams and produce the masterplan.
Adobe InDesign: To lay out work produced in professional manner, add text and annotations to describe work, create an overall document to explain the project to the collaborator.

Rhino: To create 3D model of site, to add materiality and produce 3D renders.

Virtual Reality: To visualise the final product to the collaborator.

Sketching: To help convey and visualise design ideas and thinking.

Creative Thinking: To think outside the box to resolve design problems and think of innovative solutions.
Posted 15 Mar 2022 20:55
Welcome to Neighbourhood Swatch, Group 21 collaborating with the Chorlton Traders Association. We are looking forward to meeting you all on Monday. Keep an eye out for more posts with information about the project, timings and equipment. If you have any questions please feel free to email any of the March 1 students...
Posted 14 May 2022 19:58
Join our Teams Group! We have sent you a link to join the Neighbourhood Swatch teams collaboration group. This will allow us communicate quickly and efficiently throughout the two week project. Also, we will have students joining by video link throughout the project which will allow us to keep everyone involved as much as possible. Please go to your emails and click on the link to join the group. If you have any issues please email one of the March 1 students.
Posted 14 May 2022 20:03
So you might be wondering… what is a 15-minute neighbourhood?

The key concept of a 15-minute neighbourhood is that residents can access all of their needs within a short walk or cycle from their homes. The concept is built from four pillars;

1. PROXIMITY

2. DIVERSITY

3.DENSITY

4.UBIQUITY

The aim is to create self-sufficient neighbourhoods that are well connected without relying on car usage.

The result of this will be to make life more livable for residents by making neighbourhoods safer, inclusive, diverse, quiet, less polluted and economically vibrant.

This is just a short introduction to the concept of 15-minute neighbourhoods. Please feel free to read around the subject and we will be researching the concept in more detail at the start of the two week project.
Posted 14 May 2022 20:11
Posted 25 May 2022 12:36
DAY_1: Complete
The first day is complete. Today we introduced the site, talked about the goals for the next two weeks, and began discussions about 15-minute neighbourhoods. Due to the bad weather, we did not get to go to the site, but we made up for it with an initial discussion on Chorlton and initial master planning diagrams.
Posted 25 May 2022 12:37
Posted 25 May 2022 12:38
DAY_2: Complete
Today we started with an Adobe Photoshop tutorial, followed by an introduction on Adobe Illustrator. We finished our initial analysis into Chorlton, giving us a great basis before we delve into the 15-minute neighbourhood framework.
Posted 25 May 2022 12:39
Posted 25 May 2022 12:40
DAY_3 - Part 1: Complete
Today started with a discussion of Carlos Morenos' framework of the 15-minute neighbourhood. Looking at the four key ideas of proximity, solidarity, ecology, and participation, we began to look at the measure required to move Chorlton to the next level of its development.
Posted 25 May 2022 12:41
DAY_3 - Part 2: Complete
In the afternoon, the group began to look more in-depth into particular areas of Chorlton. The investigations led to discussions into how to activate disused and neglected areas of the Chorlton high street. Looking at creating interventions that work at scales which allow the local community to engage is key to designing feasible plans.
Posted 25 May 2022 12:42
Posted 25 May 2022 12:43
DAY_4: Complete
We have begun taking our initial concepts and designing an intervention that pushes Chorlton towards the 15-minute neighbourhood model. Our plan not only transform physical spaces but encourage active participation by both businesses and residents.
Posted 25 May 2022 12:47
Posted 25 May 2022 12:47
DAY _5: Complete
A little rain did not stop us this time as we ventured as a group into Chorlton. This helped ground the work we have been doing this week, as well as seeing the site where we are planning interventions. Alan, as our tour guide, also provided a different perspective to give us a glimpse into the mindset of residents and workers within Chorlton.
Posted 25 May 2022 12:55
Posted 25 May 2022 12:59
DAY_6 - Density: Complete

Today we began by finalising our understanding of the 15-minute neighbourhood and how this framework for analysis can apply to Chorlton. Above is a diagram investigating density in Chorlton. 15 minute neighbourhoods require various housing densities to accommodate people at different stages of their life i.e., from raising a family to moving out for the first time. Our rnalysis shows that Chorlton consists mainly of terrace and semi-detached housing. This shows that development may be needed to encourage a more diverse population in Chorlton.
Posted 25 May 2022 13:26
DAY_6 - Proximity: Complete

Today we began by finalising our understanding of the 15-minute neighbourhood and how this framework for analysis can apply to Chorlton. Above is a diagram investigating Proximity in Chorlton. 15-minute neighbourhoods require various services to be readily available to the residents. The diagram above shows the type of establishments in the centre of Chorlton. Chorlton is dominated by a strong food and drink industry.
Posted 25 May 2022 13:35
DAY_6 - Ecology: Complete

Today we began by finalising our understanding of the 15-minute neighbourhood and how this framework for analysis can apply to Chorlton. Above is a diagram investigating Ecology in Chorlton. Ecology is essential to promoting a healthier lifestyle. However, being an example of a suburban area, green spaces are separated by large housing estates. By deploying a policy of green corridors, greenery and wildlife can spread throughout Chorlton.
Posted 25 May 2022 13:40
DAY_6 - Participation: Complete

Today we began by finalising our understanding of the 15-minute neighbourhood and how this framework for analysis can apply to Chorlton. Above is a diagram investigating Ecology in Chorlton. Participation is key to allowing the city to grow under the influence of the residents. Chorlton has a robust municipal agenda with various associations working within Chorlton to make it a better place. This engagement is key to Chorlton’s development.
Posted 25 May 2022 13:44
Join us on Friday at 17:00, where we are in Chorlton exhibiting our work on 15-minute neighbourhoods and how this framework can be applied to the benefit of Chorlton.
Posted 25 May 2022 14:03
Posted 25 May 2022 14:05
DAY_7: Complete
Today, we began the process of modelling our interventions for representation at the exhibition. The morning session started with sketches and mind-mapping the different ways for our intervention to be deployed. The team was split into three groups looking at various sites across Chorlton, continuing the work from last week.
Posted 25 May 2022 18:46
DAY_7 - Part 2: Complete
The afternoon session expanded on the Rhino tutorial yesterday, where everyone had a chance to take their ideas into 3D.
Posted 25 May 2022 18:51
Posted 25 May 2022 18:53
DAY_8 - Part 1: Complete
Based in the SODA (School of Digital Arts) building, we started working on the final outputs for the two weeks and the exhibition on Friday. Work today focused on strengthing the identity of Chorlton as well as building and modelling our interventions in Rhino. A strong identity gives a community more of a say in the decisions that affect the community.
Posted 26 May 2022 22:23
DAY_8 - Part 2: Complete
As well as modelling, we had a tutorial session on Enscape, a real-time render engine giving life to our digital models. This was a great opportunity to produce high-quality work and learn a necessary skill for the BA1 and BA2 students' careers at MSA.
Posted 26 May 2022 22:31
Posted 26 May 2022 22:33
DAY_9: Complete
With a mad dash at the end, we are now ready to print and make our final preparations for the exhibition tomorrow. We don't want to give away too much, but here is a brief glimpse into the work we will be presenting tomorrow.
Posted 27 May 2022 13:11
Posted 27 May 2022 13:12
DAY_10: Complete
It has been a great two weeks, but now we are finished. We've just had an exhibition where we have presented our ideas to the people of Chorlton. The 3D printed model and the VR experience were a great hit. Thank you so much to the CCLT and Chorlton Traders Association.
Posted 27 May 2022 19:21
DAY_10: Complete
More images of the potential intervention in Chorlton as well as the mural we have designed
Posted 27 May 2022 19:22
DAY_10: Complete
Thank you to everyone who contributed to all the work over the last two weeks. It was a wild ride and I wish nothing but the best for everyone in NEIGHBOURHOOD SWATCH.
Posted 27 May 2022 19:24