Group 30
MEANWHILE

We are collaborating with the Chorlton Traders Association to address abandoned spaces in Chorlton and help regenerate the area through temporary use in architecture. We will be mapping out vacant spaces and derelict pieces of the urban grain to create an argument for why a rapid intervention is needed. Our focus is on reactivating the neighbourhood, engaging with the local makers and traders to ensure social, economic and environmental sustainability.

Karolina O

Karolina O
February 6th

We kicked off our project with a day on site! Alan- our collaborator from the Chorlton Traders Association- gave us an insightful tour around our area of Chorlton. We identified the abandoned and derelict spaces we will focus on and chatted about the opportunities which introducing temporary use will unlock. It was great to have a chance to experience the atmosphere of the place and feel so close to the tight-knit community. We’re so excited to be working in Chorlton!!!
Posted 13 Mar 2023 10:46
Karolina O
February 21st

As a group of 5, we are collaborating with the Chorlton Traders Association to address abandoned spaces in Chorlton to start their regeneration with temporary architecture. We will be mapping out vacant spaces and derelict pieces of the urban grain like buildings, shutters, electrical boxes etc; creating an argument for why a rapid intervention is needed. We’ve planning a variety of workshops, including working in-situ, giving opportunities to brush up on research abilities, surveying, AutoCad, model making, Photoshop and Sketchup skills.
Posted 13 Mar 2023 11:01
Karolina O
Team intro: Alice

Pronouns: She/Her
Atelier: PRAXXIS
Dissertation: How have post-‘Thatcherism’ housing and planning policies contributed to the UK housing crisis that is evident today? A case study of Manchester City Centre.
Architectural interests: I am interested in intersectional participatory design approaches that are focused on producing quality spaces for communities to thrive. I believe in engagement practices, over consultation, and like to embed this into the design process from the very beginning. In my Part 1 placement I worked on several community schemes and social housing refurbishments, employing retrofit first perspectives to maintain the important fabric and character of existing buildings.
Spare time: I’m an outdoors person who enjoys hiking, cycling, and camping. I also enjoy attending music gigs, exploring local book shops, and making pancakes 😊
Posted 13 Mar 2023 11:03
Karolina O
Team intro: Matt

Pronouns: He/Him
Atelier: PRAXXIS
Dissertation: ‘There’s No [Queer] Place Like Home’ Domesticity and Place Attachment Beyond the Heteronormative.
Architectural interests: I am interested in place-making practices, looking at how a queered view of architecture embodies an intersectional approach to design. In practice I worked on sensitive residential extensions to listed barns and bespoke house renovations in Cheshire. I enjoy working with light, shadow, material and texture in order to create specific spatial qualities for specific user experiences.
Spare time: I often paint when free or tend my allotment and am currently renovating a house for resale. I can be found in a Northern Quarter bar most weekends if not back in Essex seeing family.
Posted 13 Mar 2023 11:04
Karolina O
Team intro: Padmaja

Pronouns: She/Her
Atelier: CPU
Dissertation: Urban morphology quantification: A case-based comparative analysis at Mumbai, India.
Architectural interests: I am interested in information about the system's functionality, data structures, interfaces, processing logic, performance characteristics. Throughout my architectural school, I have tried to make a conscious effort to approach design as a process rather an end product which has in turn inspired me to always try to look for the most holistic and cognitive solution to the design problem. In practice I worked on various large scale residential and commercial buildings.
Spare time: I’m a major book nerd when it comes to my spare time, but I also like to hike and maybe read a book on the edge of a mountain ;)
Posted 13 Mar 2023 11:06
Karolina O
Team intro: Karol

Pronouns: She/Her
Atelier: FLUX
Dissertation: Dematerialising space with the use of light: a study on James Turrell’s art shifting our perception.
Architectural interests: I am interested in site-specific schemes, really capturing the atmosphere of the place where they’re located. I find myself passionate about the user’s sensual experience of the structures I create. In practice I worked on various renovations and adaptive reuse of listed building in residential and retail.
Spare time: I enjoy cycling, hiking in the Peaks especially and analogue photography. I’ve recently taken up crocheting again, but adore a good music gig and a bit of a boogie!
Posted 13 Mar 2023 11:07
Karolina O
March 12th

We’ve developed a draft action plan for the 2 weeks of hands on work in May! Have a look at WEEK 1 and see if you’re interested! We want to work on site in Chorlton and get to model-making in the B15 studio 😉
Posted 13 Mar 2023 11:23
Karolina O
March 13th

WEEK 2 timetable of the action weeks. We want to engage in lots of concept and design work to activate the neighbourhood!
Posted 13 Mar 2023 15:47