MSA Live 25

Jacob H

Initial Work

As part of our initial work in preparation for the Action Weeks, we organised a site visit as a group to better understand the unique project and initiate a working relationship with our client.

We are fortunate to work with Haley and Dan of Tameside Council, who are fundamental in all development work on Chadwick Dam. They provided key information for our project and a useful tour of the site, during which we discussed our plans for activating the inaccessible area of the park.

As a group, we are keen to maintain a strong working relationship with Tameside Council, as they are instrumental in delivering a successful scheme. We plan to engage with them throughout the action weeks to ensure our designs adhere to their ambitions for the scheme.

Posted 12 May 2025 11:01

Nehal J

PROJECT INTRODUCTION
We aim to complete the CHADWICK DAM project in a way that is both sensitive and accessible. Being a part of the Bee Network and home to the Stanford Park parkrun, the site is enhanced by local connectivity and has a clear opportunity to create age-friendly spaces, which are currently lacking. The area currently has a lot of underutilised green spaces and also caters to diverse populations. Our main areas of concern are enhancing accessibility, improving green space access, promoting community engagement, and masterplan development through careful planning and community feedback. Our strategy makes sure the area is a friendly and vibrant public space for everyone. Our strategy makes sure the area is a friendly and vibrant public space for everyone by giving equal weight on accessibility, sustainability, and the space's social and cultural significance. By collaborating with the community, we make sure that Chadwick Dam develops into a place that reflects the needs and goals of its users while also being useful and visually pleasing.
By working together, we will turn Chadwick Dam into an example of pride, identity, and belonging that will serve as a reminder of the influence that collaborative design can have on the future of our shared spaces.

Posted 12 May 2025 10:59

Nehal J

Nehal Jindal
First year, Master of Architecture
Atelier: Non -Standards Habitat
Originally from Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, India, I earned my undergraduate degree at Manipal University Jaipur. Before my journey as a master’s student to the UK, I spent 6 months as an architecture intern right after graduation at a landscape and commercial project-focused firm in Indore. Software skills I developed in the process: AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp, Photoshop, rendering. I particularly love rendering in Photoshop. The reason that motivated me to study architecture is pretty much the same reason that motivates me to live life every day with excitement and value.
As an architect, my approach is to understand the reason for design, what value add I can do to make the operations smoother and how to make the process and result both beautiful.
The Tameside Council's Chadwick Dam Park project offers a fantastic chance to implement my design principles. With deliberate interventions, I hope to establish a more lively, approachable, and attractive setting that fosters a strong feeling of community. In addition to allowing me to have a significant influence, this experience will help me better grasp how design can promote social and environmental well-being.

Posted 12 May 2025 10:56

Jacob H

Jacob Hodgson
First Year, Master of Architecture
Atelier: Infrastructure Space

After earning my architecture degree from the University of Nottingham in 2023 and completing my Part 1 placement at AJ100 practice Gilling Dod Architects, I am eager to continue my academic journey at MSA. The Master of Architecture program offers an exciting opportunity to further develop my skills, particularly in social impact, sustainable design, and cultural sensitivity—key themes from both my studies and industry experience in healthcare and mental health architecture.

Proficiency in CAD software has been essential in communicating and delivering projects effectively. I am especially excited to engage with Tameside Council’s Chadwick Dam Park project, which aligns with my design values and offers a real-world opportunity to strengthen community connections.

I look forward to collaborating during Action Week to create meaningful impact in reactivating the Chadwick Dam community.

Posted 12 May 2025 10:55

Neila C

Neila Cuvilliers
First Year, Master of Architecture
Atelier: Continuity

I hold a bachelor's degree from the Manchester School of Architecture and have returned for my master's after completing my Part 1 placement, where I worked on both commercial and residential projects, with a particular focus on adaptive reuse. I am passionate about social and sustainable architecture and look forward to expanding my ability to develop design solutions for contemporary challenges.

I am proficient in CAD software, SketchUp, and the Adobe Suite, which enable me to communicate visually and advance project development. Working on the Chadwick Dam Park project presents an excellent opportunity to collaborate with real-world stakeholders and devise meaningful solutions to enhance community health and access to green spaces.

I am excited to collaborate during Action Week—see you there!

Posted 12 May 2025 10:55

Anisha Mariam A

Anisha Mariam Abraham
First Year, Master of Architecture
Atelier: CPU[Ai]

I am an architecture graduate from Anna University, India, with three years of professional experience at Cartwheel Design Studio, followed by a year of freelancing in India, focusing on small-scale residential and commercial architectural projects. My Martian Arborium project was recognized globally, ranking in the top 20 worldwide in Marsception 2024. My undergraduate thesis focused on LGBT community spaces, which shaped my passion for creating inclusive and socially responsive architecture.

I am excited about the MSA Live Project with Tameside Council, as it provides the opportunity to engage in a real-world project that directly impacts the local community. The chance to collaborate with a multidisciplinary team is invaluable.

My future goals include deepening my expertise in parametric and computational design, exploring innovative materials, and working on projects that integrate sustainability and inclusivity to create socially impactful architectural solutions.

Posted 12 May 2025 10:55

Simon L

Simon Linford
Second Year (part time), Masters of Architecture
Atelier: Adaptive Reuse

I am the odd one out in this group, not being an architect or designer, but a middle-aged semi-retired property developer with a degree in engineering and an accountancy qualification (obtained many years ago)!

Architecture is a passion though, so I am doing a Masters in Adaptive Reuse (part time) because I develop historic buildings, and churches in particular, and I want to expand my knowledge and understanding. In Manchester my claim to fame would be being the developer behind The Chapel on Upper Brook Street, for Hello Student.

I’ve decided that the best use of my skills on this project is to help manage the process and do the more boring technical bits – I am pretty good at getting things done and have even been known to take my turn 'on the tools' when needed.

Looking forward to it!

Posted 12 May 2025 10:54

Anson Kah Kit O

Anson Ong Kah Kit
First Year, Master of Architecture
Atelier: Infrastructure Space

I am an architecture graduate from Taylor’s University, Malaysia, with two years of practice in Kuala Lumpur before deciding to embark on a new journey with MSA. My approach to architecture is deeply rooted in placemaking and social impact, where I strive to create spaces that foster meaningful connections within the community.

I am particularly excited to be part of the Tameside Council’s Chadwick Dam Park with MSA Live Project, an opportunity to work on a real-world initiative that brings tangible benefits to the community. I strongly believe in the power of teamwork, where maximizing everyone’s strengths leads to the best outcomes. I truly appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with others, leveraging diverse skills and perspectives to achieve a common goal.

My goal is to deliver approachable and impactful designs, ensuring that architecture remains accessible while adding value to the people it serves.

Posted 12 May 2025 10:47

Group 02 / PORTLAND THINKSPACE

Hope everyone is getting excited for Day 1!

We will be starting the week with an intro into the project followed by….
SPORTS DAY!
We’re going to embrace our childlike competitive self’s and remind ourselves of the fun we had when in preschool and primary school. Get ready to show off your egg and spoon race skills!

Posted 11 May 2025 11:27

Muna M

Initial Concept Presentation

To prepare for next week's activities, we have created an initial presentation that introduces Portland Basin Museum and explores potential design styles for the current learning space.

The BA 1 and 2 students can use this presentation as a foundation when drafting sketches and creating collages. After our site visit, they will be able to begin developing their flexible design solutions for Ashton's local community!

Posted 10 May 2025 20:45

We have a week full of fun activities and creative opportunities! We aim to end the week with a presentation at our collaborators in the Burnside Center showing off the work we’ve produced during this first development week :)

Posted 10 May 2025 12:58

Third Site Visit - 7th May

Today we had our final visit to the museum (as a group of Master's students), followed by a tea meeting with the collaborators to go over the final details of the Action Weeks. Stay with us - exciting things ahead!

Posted 9 May 2025 19:35

Welcome to week 1 of the Forest School project !

We're so exciting to get started and see this unfold. We've been busy preparing for the first few days, keep your eyes peeled for more information soon !

Posted 9 May 2025 17:09

Zuzanna S

Meetings Recap

For the past months, we have been meeting weekly to discuss the Action Weeks Plan. We have met both in person and online, depending on our schedules.
We managed to divide the task equally in order to prepare things like CAD drawings, Sketchup models, Templates and Forms. What is more, we communicated with our collaborator to prepare site activities involving volunteers. As a result, we prepared the Action Weeks we are really excited about!

Watch this space for more updates :)

Posted 9 May 2025 16:29

Group 02 / PORTLAND THINKSPACE

Zuzanna S

Ethos Application approved!

Our Ethos Application has been approved, and we can move ahead with the project!
In order to get the green light, we successfully submitted the Action Plan, Risk Assessment, Budget Proposal, Consent Form and Participant Information Sheet. Since we will be recording sessions with volunteers and working with various materials, it was important to get the elements right.
We are excited for the upcoming Action Weeks when we will be working together on the Shed design for The Landing CIC in Stockport.

Posted 9 May 2025 16:29

Xueying H

Detailed action plan for week 1

Posted 9 May 2025 16:28

Group 35 / UNDER THE POET'S TREE

Scarlett H

17/03/25 | Finalising Plans for the Action Weeks

In our latest meeting with the collaborator, we planned their involvement during the Action Weeks.

We’ll begin with a team visit to the library, giving everyone an opportunity to meet the collaborators and explore the space. Later in the week, we will host a collaborative design workshop where we will finalise the project concept. To end the MSALive weeks, we’ll host a soft launch, presenting a 'proof of concept' to the library team. This will include:

- 1:5 scale prototype
- End-user poster to support model
- Full set of detail drawings
- Construction manual

This package will give the library everything they need to secure funding and commission a high-quality final piece. It also offers a great chance to gather feedback from visitors before moving ahead with the project.

We can't wait to get started!

Posted 9 May 2025 11:50

Group 17 / MARKET STREET REFRESH

Rebecca S

Action Plan Week 2

Posted 6 May 2025 19:50

Group 17 / MARKET STREET REFRESH

Rebecca S

Action Plan Week 1

Posted 6 May 2025 19:48

Group 07 / TYLDESLEY SPARK

Baiyun S

Action Plan!

This two-week plan follows the complete trajectory of a design project, from initial research to final presentation.

The first week emphasizes early-stage exploration and preparation, including site analysis, teamwork, brainstorming, sketching, and initial modelling to define the project direction.

In the second week, the focus shifts to design refinement and presentation. Teams will develop their ideas further, improve models and drawings, and prepare clear, well-structured final outputs for review and submission.

Posted 29 Apr 2025 23:47

Group 37 / ECO CHURCH

Ruizi Z

RISK ASSESSMENT
This highlights the key points from our official Risk Assessment document for the United Didsbury Methodist Church site. As part of the MSA LIVE project preparation, we carefully identified potential hazards—from equipment handling and weather risks to interactions with church staff—and developed appropriate mitigation strategies. These precautions aim to ensure a safe, respectful, and inclusive research environment for all team members during site visits and project activities.

Posted 29 Apr 2025 16:02

Group 37 / ECO CHURCH

Ruizi Z

SITE VISIT
These photos capture key views from our initial site visit to the United Didsbury Methodist Church. From the exterior brickwork to interior spaces, the sequence reflects our early spatial observations and design considerations. These visuals not only document the existing condition of the site but also help us identify potential areas for intervention and dialogue with the community.

Posted 29 Apr 2025 15:36

Group 36 / ECOHUB HOUSE

Ozgenur S

Here is the Action Week Plans!

Posted 24 Apr 2025 07:04

Yufei S

Final Tutorial With Lindsay

Following our final meeting with Lindsay, her enthusiastic guidance on the EthOS Application, Action Plan, and Risk Assessment has us buzzing with anticipation for Action Week. We're excited to unite with the rest of our team and dive into the design process. Keep an eye out for updates as we begin our creative journey!

Posted 22 Apr 2025 10:30

Hello from the collaborators!

Hi everyone! We can't wait to welcome our new team members, and in the meantime, we'd love to introduce our wonderful collaborators, who have prepared a few words about themselves.

Hannah:
''Hannah-Lee Chalk is Curator of Learning and has worked in the museum sector for 20 years in various roles including education, research, exhibition development, and as a curator. She originally studied Geology before undertaking a MA in Museum Studies and then a PhD in Social Anthropology. She has worked at Manchester Museum for many years, originally as a member of the Visitor Team and subsequently in a range of educational and project management roles before taking on her current role in 2016.

As Curator of Learning, Hannah oversees and supports the development and delivery of the learning programmes and is currently also involved in the development of the Wild exhibition. She is particularly interested in how the collections can be used to explore the intersection between social and ecological justice through programmes such as Carbon Ruins and the forthcoming Blazing World Escape Room.''

Wendy:
''Wendy Gallagher is Head of Civic Engagement and Education at Manchester Museum, part of the University of Manchester. She is an arts and heritage and education professional with over 25 years’ experience working across education, arts, health, culture, and heritage sectors. Wendy leads strategic initiatives in civic engagement, partnerships, and education. Coproduction, accessibility and inclusion is at the heart of our programming, exhibition making and redesign of our spaces. We want visitors to feel that they belong in Manchester Museum.''

Posted 21 Apr 2025 13:47

March 25th - Meeting with Emily
In our last meeting with Emily, we had a constructive discussion covering key aspects of our project. We spoke in detail about the ethics application, budget planning, action plan for the intensive week, and the consent forms for the school. We also shared updates and ideas about the site and proposal, receiving helpful and thoughtful feedback. Emily’s inputs were insightful and encouraged us to refine our approach. The meeting helped us clarify our next steps and strengthen the overall direction of the project moving forward.

Posted 16 Apr 2025 18:33

March 24th – Team Meeting
Following our site visit, our team met to reflect, share ideas, and begin shaping our proposal for Cannon Burrows. We had productive discussions around the opportunities the site offers and began planning our next steps. With a few key deadlines approaching, we focused on preparing the draft project budget, drafting the ethics approval, and outlining an action plan for the upcoming intensive week. We also worked on creating initial draft for consent forms to be shared with the school. It was a focused and collaborative session, bringing us closer to turning our ideas into a thoughtful and well-organised proposal.

Posted 16 Apr 2025 18:20

March 20th – The Site at Cannon Burrows
Visiting the site at Cannon Burrows for the first time was a fun and energising experience. Exploring the outdoor space brought a new level of understanding and connection to the project. The landscape, especially the valley, is full of untapped potential and possibilities. Meeting the school’s headteacher and the teaching staff hearing their vision for expanding the playground and transforming the space for the community sparked many ideas within our team. Being on-site boosted our enthusiasm and gave us a clearer sense of purpose. It was more than a visit, it was the beginning of a meaningful collaboration with a shared vision for change.

Posted 16 Apr 2025 18:11

Group 17 / MARKET STREET REFRESH

We can’t wait to meet you all! 🎉

Here’s the game plan for our two weeks together as we dive into the MSA Live project soon!

Posted 6 Apr 2025 20:49

Rebecca S

After our final tutorial, excitement is building as Action Week approaches! We can't wait to meet the rest of the team and kick off the design process. With ideas ready and energy high, we're eager to start this exciting project for Droylsden. Stay tuned for updates as we begin our design journey!

Posted 31 Mar 2025 23:10

Mengjie L

Action plan week two

Posted 31 Mar 2025 13:41

Mengjie L

Action plan week one

Posted 31 Mar 2025 13:41

Group 07 / TYLDESLEY SPARK

Yanwei L

Hi, I’m Lew.

I am currently pursuing a Master of Architecture (RIBA Part 2) at the Non-Standard Habitat (NSH) Atelier. I hold a Bachelor of Design in Architecture from Taylor's University, Malaysia, and have gained professional experience working with independent architectural practices in Malaysia and Singapore.

My academic and professional journey has nurtured a strong interest in the intersection of architecture, culture, and community. My design approach emphasises poetic structures, experiential spaces, and materiality. I am eager to apply this perspective to the Canon Burrows School project, contributing thoughtful, contextually responsive designs that enhance the community. I look forward to collaborating with peers to explore architecture’s role in fostering meaningful social impact.

Posted 31 Mar 2025 11:31

Ibrahim Z

Meet Lucy – our emotional support superstar! 🐾💖

Lucy may not have a title, but she’s the real MVP of our group! As an emotional support dog, she’s always there with a wagging tail and a warm heart to brighten everyone’s day. Whether it’s a stressful meeting or a tough day, Lucy knows how to make us smile. 😊

Here’s a little glimpse of her in action, bringing comfort and joy wherever she goes. 📸

Posted 30 Mar 2025 22:09

Group 26 / THE HULME BLUEPRINT

Kunal J

Hello! My name is Kunal, and I am currently pursuing my MArch degree in the Infra atelier. I graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture from Measi Academy of Architecture in 2023, after which I gained valuable professional experience working in the field for a year.

My current focus is an adaptive reuse project, where I'm exploring innovative methods to retain existing structures, transforming them into contemporary, functional spaces. My skill set includes proficiency in software such as Revit, SketchUp, V-Ray, Enscape, and Lumion. I'm also actively expanding my expertise into Rhino and Grasshopper.

Outside of architecture, I enjoy travelling and playing cricket, activities that help me recharge creatively.

I'm excited to connect—feel free to reach out!

Posted 28 Mar 2025 16:48

Second Site Visit -5th March

This was our second visit to the Manchester Museum to have a look at our sensory room again.

This visit focused on talking to Jenny, who specialises in children's sensory needs. We talked about learning through play and learned about many sensory toys. It was an incredibly inspiring site visit!

Posted 26 Mar 2025 22:51

Group 07 / TYLDESLEY SPARK

First Site Visit -12th Feb

What an exciting day! After spending four hours in the museum, we still can't say we've fully explored all the rooms and collections! (4.5 million objects!) We were amazed by all the fascinating exhibitions within this building and their incredible educational value, which we would love to continue exploring in our project.

The site visit was our second meeting with Hannah and Wendy, following the December meeting that launched our MSA Live. During our discussions in the room, we learned that the planned room design should be pretty flexible, immersive, and functional.

After the meeting with our collaborators, we went for a coffee at the museum café, where we created our first drafts of the poster promoting the project. With excitement, we thought about the possibilities for the room, which we finally had the chance to see. We can't wait to return during the action weeks, this time with tape measures and even more ideas.

Take a look at the museum's collections here ->
https://museumcollections.manchester.ac.uk/

Posted 26 Mar 2025 20:51

Group 39 / PLASTIC SHED

Pengcheng Y

ACTION PLAN WEEK2

This week we will focus on making more detailed plans based on the design and installation of the solution selected last week, making the solution feasible. These actions will help Plastic Shed better activate this community!

Posted 26 Mar 2025 18:32

Group 39 / PLASTIC SHED

Pengcheng Y

ACTION PLAN: WEEK 1

We have prepared an activity plan for the furniture making activity in May. The picture shown is a simplified version of the plan for the first week, which mainly focuses on members' understanding of the project site and furniture design. Come and see if you are interested and join us!

Posted 26 Mar 2025 18:31

Group 39 / PLASTIC SHED

Pengcheng Y

March 13
SITE VISITVISIT
We met with Caitlin at her new store on this day. She enthusiastically introduced to us the large wall art she had previously made near the store using various discarded plastic bottle and can lids. She also introduced the machines she currently uses to process plastic waste and the success she has achieved with this process. During this visit, we learned more about her space needs (such as the tight storage space she showed us) and the people she contacts and serves on a daily basis. This information will help us better help her plan and design the new space.

Posted 26 Mar 2025 18:30

Yufei S

Tyldesley High Street Shopfronts — Reviving Victorian Charm

Posted 26 Mar 2025 11:19

Group 30 / POSSIBILITY MACHINE

Yuqi W

The two-week program revolves around the complete process of designing the project.

The first week focuses on concept exploration and preliminary preparation, including teamwork, brainstorming, prototype testing, and preliminary modeling to lay the foundation for further design.

In the second week, we enter the phase of scheme optimization and results presentation. Through Client DRP review, model improvement, final drawing and publication arrangement, we ensure the final landing and smooth submission of the design scheme.

Posted 25 Mar 2025 21:14

Group 06 / PLAYSCAPE

Ellesse L

Catch up 6 - Final Meeting with Emily

Our final meeting with Emily was all about tying up loose ends. We made sure to have most things in place — from the ethics and action week plan to the budget — so we could get her feedback on nearly finished drafts. It turned into a really useful Q&A session, giving us the chance to ask any remaining questions and show her what we’ve been working on. The process of collaborating with Emily and bouncing ideas off her really highlighted how effective teamwork and planning can drive a project forward.

Posted 25 Mar 2025 17:34

Group 06 / PLAYSCAPE

Ellesse L

Stakeholder Meeting -

Today we met up with Luke on Teams to finalise the action week schedule and activities, and it was great to see how excited he was about the project. Balancing our timetable with the school’s commitments was tricky — some days were already busy, so we had to stay flexible without losing structure. The meeting was really productive, helping us strike the right balance and clarify the final outputs Luke is expecting. It’s exciting to see everything coming together!

Posted 25 Mar 2025 17:31

Group 09 / WINDOW INTO LINDOW

March 20th – First Site Visit: Canon Burrows Primary School
Meeting our collaborator on-site for the first time and experiencing the space in person was a valuable and engaging experience for all of us. We explored the entire outdoor area of Cannon Burrows School and engaged in constructive discussions with the school’s headteacher, who shared an inspiring vision for the future. The vision essentially involved suggestions for the expansion of the playground for the children, transforming the valley to make it a safe and engaging environment for the children and the wider community, and exploring new potentials for the school's outdoor space. These were suggestions that stirred a lot of ideas within our team, and we eagerly look forward to implementing them.
This meeting was not just about exchanging ideas but building a collaborative partnership with a shared purpose. We look forward to seeing how these ideas develop! ✨

Posted 25 Mar 2025 14:34

Luke F

- I'm Luke!
- MArch I
- Continuity

I'm particularly interested in cultural and theoretical narratives and how they can enhance and engage with a place. Studying in Continuity has consolidated my interests in contextual architecture, heritage and history.

For my undergrad, I studied at the University of Nottingham, focusing on crafting stories through architecture and deeply linking the building to its users or communities.

After completing my undergrad, I worked for DLG Architects based in Leeds particpating in a mix of large scale commercial and industrial projects. Following this, I worked at HG2 Architects; a small practice located in Harrogate with an eye for contextual detail with a contemporary approach.

I chose this MSA Live project due to the rich history of Lindow Moss and its expansive ecology at risk due to Peat extraction. The collaborators at Groundworks are enthusiastic and are strongly engaged in the project. I look forward to the two weeks in which we'll venture to the site and have fun creating outputs Groundworks can use to increase exposure of Lindow Moss

Posted 25 Mar 2025 11:10

Jarrod T

Hi, I’m Jarrod,

My key interests in design concern the role of aesthetics and function with human action and the experience of the individual.

I have stage 5 construction experience, working under Bennetts Associates, where I had responsibilities concerning structure, fire, and interior design.

I look forward to working with the team explore the opportunities afforded for the communities surrounding our presented site.

Posted 24 Mar 2025 13:52

Eleanor VB

Our first Site Visit!

Last month, we travelled as a group to visit the Salthouse Dock in Liverpool, the site for the new floating activity hub. In the morning, we met with the Canal & River Trust team based in Liverpool, who took us on a boat tour around the docks! It was a great opportunity to hear more about all the work they do around the docks; the life underwater that they encourage, and their ambitions for the future. We were also able to see the condition of the existing floating structure which was damaged beyond repair after a storm in early 2024.

In the afternoon, we had the chance to sit down with Donald Insall Associates alongside the Canal & River Trust, who talked us through the work they're currently involved in on the docks, such as the International Slavery Museum and the Canning dock. This was a valuable insight into how the docks are evolving and gave us important context to consider when designing the new floating activity hub.

The site visit was a great team day out, allowing us to get to know the collaborators better and situate the project in its historic surroundings. We look forward to starting design work and, hopefully, another site visit to the Docks in May!

Posted 20 Mar 2025 16:24

Lai Ying L

Introducing our Collaborators!

Thrilled to have Donald Insall Associates on board as consultants for this exciting project at the Salthouse Dock! With over 65 years of pioneering architectural conservation and heritage consultancy, their expertise ensures that historic places not only endure but thrive amid an ever-evolving world. Specializing in conservation architecture, heritage consultancy, and townscape advice, they bring invaluable insight to projects that balance preservation with innovation.

Their recent work on Liverpool’s waterfront includes the upcoming International Slavery Museum and a regeneration scheme at the Canning quaysides and dry docks that features a contemplative space and overall improvements to the public area. As advisors on this project, their guidance will help shape a floating space that respects the dock’s rich heritage while creating new opportunities for community engagement.

Posted 18 Mar 2025 13:43

Group 05 / BOWLS TO BLOOMS

Lai Ying L

Introducing our Collaborators!

Excited to collaborate with The Canal & River Trust on this upcoming design initiative at the Salthouse Dock! As the charity responsible for caring for 2,000 miles of waterways in England and Wales, the Trust plays a vital role in maintaining Liverpool’s docks through daily operations, historic conservation, and major engineering projects. Their work supports boating communities, enhances water quality, and fosters engagement through learning opportunities.

The Trust’s floating stage at the Salthouse Dock has previously hosted a variety of hybrid activities, bringing the local community, students, and visitors closer to the water. From jellyfish spotting to canoeing, paddleboarding, and family days, these initiatives have encouraged a focus on aquatic health and understanding of ecosystems.

By redesigning this space together, the project continues the tradition of connecting people to the water, ensuring the dock remains a thriving asset for the community.

Posted 18 Mar 2025 13:18

Nicole D

Getting Presentation Ready!
Today's team meeting consisted of making a presentation for tomorrow's meeting with the church committee to propose initial ideas for the site and rally some help for building in the intensive week!
We sat down as a team and made a model of the site, added our initial idea for the pagoda and raised planters and created visuals from it.
Let's hope the Monton Community are excited by the project and want to get stuck in!

Posted 17 Mar 2025 11:03

Come Along to Bring Curious Creeks to Life!
We the Curious Creek envisioners are on a journey to turn The Valley into a dynamic, hands-on learning environment—Together, we can make this happen!! If you’re enthusiastic about design, nature, sustainability, or simply enjoy crafting something impactful, we invite you to join us on this thrilling adventure.
Let’s build something unforgettable! Join us and be part of the adventure!

Posted 16 Mar 2025 20:29

March 10th – The Poster Day: Bringing It All Together
the first and major deadline! as group 25, All of us, in one room like it was a war room, completely immersed in bringing our vision to life. The energy was electric as ideas sparked, designs evolved, and creativity flowed in full force. Everyone played their part with enthusiasm, taking on tasks with precision and purpose. The room buzzed with collaboration, constructive criticism, and a shared drive to make this the best it could be for about 3-4hours. After intense discussions, last-minute refinements, and a final round of polishing, we hit upload. Our poster was live—a bold, exciting call to action, inviting more people to join us in making Curious Creeks a reality!

Posted 16 Mar 2025 20:27

March 4th – Second Tutorial with Emily: Perfecting our Plan of Action
With our initial designs for the posters and plans of action in hand, we met Emily for our second tutorial. It was encouraging and insightful, helping us refine our approach, ensuring our materials truly embodied the spirit of Curious Creeks—bold, inviting, and inspiring. Every revision brought us closer to a message that resonated, a design that captured attention, and a plan that was both exciting and achievable. With each tweak, our execution sharpened, our vision became stronger, and our determination grew.

Posted 16 Mar 2025 20:22

March 3rd – Conceptualizing the Poster Design: Spreading the Vision
Moving a step further, Compiling our vision in a page! As a team, we caught up to brainstorming our ideas and refine our concepts for our Curious Creeks poster design. Every voice mattered in this process; each of us pitched concepts, debated designs, and built on one another’s creativity. The goal was clear: to create an eye-catching, engaging poster that would inspire fellow students and volunteers to join us in bringing Curious Creeks to life.

Posted 16 Mar 2025 20:21

February 18th – First Tutorial with Emily
With all the concepts and a strong identity we wanted to establish until then, it was time for a reality check. We met Emily for our first tutorial, we shared our concepts, project timeline, and action strategy and received encouragement and constructive criticism, which helped us hone our approach and balance creativity with practicality. this meeting has Equipped our team with clarity and direction, our confidence in bringing Curious Creeks to fruition was stronger than ever. This was another pivotal step toward realizing our vision.

Posted 16 Mar 2025 20:17

February 17th – Crafting the Narrative
Following a week of refining our ideas and concepts, we reconvened and brainstormed potential names and ultimately decided on Curious Creeks—a title that perfectly embodied the essence of exploration and education. As a team, we shared fresh, unique viewpoints, sparking a discussion about the identity of the space. focusing mainly on What and how would we distinguish Curious Creeks? By the end of the meeting, we had developed a clear and persuasive vision that would form the foundation for every aspect of the project. With this newly established direction, we were prepared to move forward.

Posted 16 Mar 2025 20:16

February 12th – The First Brainstorming Meet Up: Establishing the Foundation
We initiated our journey with an initial internal discussion to delve into the project brief and outline our vision for transforming The Valley. The primary objective was evident: how could we create a space that is safe, engaging, and educational? The session was a whirlwind of creative Ideas, sketches covered the pages, and concepts were excitedly shared. Each suggestion played a role in forming a vision that effortlessly merged adventure with learning, crafting a lively environment that would ignite the imaginations of students and encourage them to explore their surroundings.

Posted 16 Mar 2025 20:04

Group 16 / BRADFORD TAKEOVER

MEETING THE TEAM AND THE COLLABORATOR: 04.12.'24
We began our exciting journey with our first meeting alongside our collaborator from Canon Burrows Primary School at MTC. As we navigated The Valley using Google Maps and the images shared with us, a profound sense of excitement enveloped us—this wasn't merely an overgrown piece of land; it was a hidden gem brimming with unexploited potential! The school team painted an inspiring vision of a safer, more engaging outdoor classroom, which ignited our imaginations. Ideas flowed, possibilities expanded, and with enthusiasm, we set out to revive this forgotten space—transforming it into a vibrant learning environment where nature and education come together.!

Posted 16 Mar 2025 19:58

Gabriel T

Meet Our Collaborator!

Hi everyone, please meet our lovely MSA collaborator for this project, Jade!

"Hi, I’m Jade Ibegbuna, Head of Cultural Partnerships at Bradford Council. I have the pleasure of working with so many incredible cultural and community groups across the district whilst enabling projects (such as this one) to innovatively amplify our Bradford story. I am a proud Bradfordian, passionate about changemaking and I’m also a Clore Fellow 2025: https://bit.ly/43M3vBC

Working as a collaborator on MSA Live is an absolute joy as I get to work with amazingly talented minds and creative energy – the passion, care and imagination that the students show for Bradford shines through and is reflected throughout their designs. Bradford 2025 is the UK ‘City of Culture’ so this year’s MSA Live designs are being created at a pivotal moment in Bradford’s history.

MSA Live is a fantastic programme, fantastic students and a fantastic team – I am very much looking forward to what this year brings."

Posted 15 Mar 2025 13:59

The Site Visit
On 5th February, we went to explore our site, which was a garden recently cleared of brambles and overgrowth. Next to the built playground, fenced off around the edges, we could see some possibilities for the site. Tree stumps and brick edging, could this be used in the designs? And of course we have to note the little toys found throughout the land, a little unicorn duck being my personal favourite! The space has so much potential, we're excited to see where this goes.

Posted 12 Mar 2025 16:18

What’s Next for Street and a Half:

After a great discussion with Claire and Christine, we’re excited about the next steps for the project!

We’re now shaping up the schedule for our upcoming action weeks, planning activities that will help us explore, create, and collaborate in meaningful ways. From workshops to hands-on experiments, we’re eager to dive into the creative process and bring our ideas to life.

Most of all, we can’t wait to meet and work together with you - sharing ideas, sparking conversations, and making the most of this incredible opportunity!

Stay tuned for more updates as things take shape.

Posted 12 Mar 2025 15:51

Daria-Ioana T

Hi, I’m Ioana. I am currently in my first year, studying for the masters of architecture course and I have previously studied for Bachelors in Architecture at MSA.

I am really passionate about the Art Noveau style and organic, nature- based architecture as well as the intersections between architecture and philosophy.

In terms of the project a really interesting element is working with and crafting spaces for children, as well as thinking of different furniture options for the greenery spaces on site and how these can be used creatively throughout of the year.

I hope to bring conceptual thinking to the project and contribute with my digital & physical modelling, drawing and collaging skills. I am really excited and looking forward to the collaboration on this project.

Posted 12 Mar 2025 15:40

Meet our collaborators!

Claire Weetman is a visual artist in St Helens and one of our key people for the project. Claire has also expressed interest for the one of the tenancies for creative businesses at Street and a Half!

Christine Spriggs is the Kindred Place Lead, and main coordinator for the Street and a Half vision.

Key Partners for Street and a Half are St Helens Borough Council (SHBC), with Anthony Burns as Leader/Councillor; Kindred LLC, with Helen Heap as Deputy Chair of Kindred, and the Liverpool City Region’s social economy network.

Join out team to make the collaborators' dream come true and deliver real, tangible benefits to Street and a Half and the surrounding communities of St Helen!

Posted 12 Mar 2025 15:38

Hao W

Hello, nice to meet you. My name is Hao. I earned my bachelor's degree in architecture from Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology and have worked in architectural design before coming to MSA. It is a great honor for me to join the "Forest School" team and collaborate with you. I am looking forward to meeting new students, exchanging relevant knowledge, and learning from each other. I am excited to meet you!

Posted 12 Mar 2025 15:33

Yan Hei Ashlie H

Hi! I'm Ashlie! I'm currently doing Master of Architecture, and I'm in the CPU[AI] atelier. What draws me most to architecture is its dynamic nature and the ability to shape experiences through innovative tectonics.

For this project, I’m eager to explore the creative use of natural materials to curate a diverse, nature-focused environment where children can learn and have fun. It would be interesting to test out how we could incorporate immersive and dynamic experiences into our designs.

I hope to bring creative design ideas to the project and apply my skills in modelling and rendering to form a compelling case for our proposals. Looking forward to collaborating with the team and seeing what we could create together!

Posted 12 Mar 2025 15:23

Jane Jia En T

Hi, I'm Jane Tiew Jia En from Malaysia—you can just call me Jane! I'm currently pursuing my Master's in Architecture as part of CPU Atelier, with a strong interest in the dynamic interplay between tectonics and spatial adaptability.

I'm truly excited about this project as it reimagines how children interact with their surroundings, transforming a simple courtyard into a vibrant, interactive learning space infused with greenery. This approach offers a refreshing alternative to conventional enclosed designs, fostering creativity, curiosity, and hands-on exploration.

I look forward to bringing our ideas to life through compelling visuals, leveraging my expertise in digital design communication—especially in Photoshop and renderings to create an engaging and immersive representation of our vision!

Posted 12 Mar 2025 15:19

Chuhan C

Hi, I’m Chuhan Cao, or Cecilia. I hold a Bachelor’s in Architecture from Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) and am currently pursuing an MA in Architecture and Adaptive Reuse. My passion lies in architectural renewal and sustainability, particularly the adaptive reuse of traditional buildings. I believe these structures, rich in history and culture, can be revitalized through innovative design, modern technology, and sustainable practices to meet contemporary needs.

In projects, I am particularly inspired by designing spaces that connect with nature and cater to children and animals, fostering learning and play. I enjoy exploring a site’s natural elements and repurposing existing materials to create small installations, which deepens my appreciation for the harmony between design and the environment.

Proficient in digital and physical modeling, I help teams visualize concepts effectively. I excel at generating innovative ideas and translating them into practical solutions, blending creativity with feasibility. I look forward to collaborating on future projects to craft meaningful and engaging spaces.

Posted 12 Mar 2025 15:05

Hi, I’m Lou! I’m studying my Master of Architecture. I’m particular interested in Feminist spaces as well as biophilia in design. The Forest School project is very exciting for me as an outdoor activity instructor and Scout leader, because I love the concept of teaching children to be happy outside and using the life skills that you learn from a young age. I hope to bring my experience of the outdoors to this project, as well as my model making skills for the final output!

Posted 12 Mar 2025 15:04