MSA Live 25

It’s been an incredible journey collaborating with Canon Burrows Primary School to transform the Valley into a vibrant, safe, and accessible outdoor learning space. Fueled by our shared passion for sustainability and environmental education, we’ve worked together to breathe new life into this underutilised area, creating an interactive environment where students can connect with nature and the wider community can benefit.

Each member of Group-25 brought their unique skills from sustainable design to community engagement and educational planning, building a shared vision that we hope will leave a lasting, positive impact for years to come.

Thank you for following our journey. Here’s to many more projects that make a difference!

Signing off, Team Group-25 of 2025!

Posted 23 May 2025 19:30

Group 05 / BOWLS TO BLOOMS

The Journey
Ten days of action, powered by six months of planning.

This journey has been one of discovery, collaboration, creativity, and growth. From the first spark of an idea to the final submission, every moment shaped not just our project—but our bond as a team.

We’ve faced challenges, shared laughs, and poured our hearts into something we truly believe in. As this chapter closes, we take with us memories we’ll cherish, lessons we’ve learned, and friendships we’ve built.

Here’s to the process, the people, and the passion that brought it all to life.

Posted 23 May 2025 19:27

Niloufar K

Day 10 Intensive Week - Community Party

We finished the portfolio work at home, discussing over teams and the rest of the group had a well earned rest for the morning! We then met at the church at 3pm for the community opening of the planters. Reverend Anna had provided snacks and said a beautiful speech to thank us all. We had a wonderful afternoon chatting to local residents, who were all very impressed with our efforts and were looking forward to planting.
We would like to thank Anna and the whole community at Monton Unitarian Church for their support and energy for the project, it has been hard work but we have truly enjoyed every moment. We can’t wait to see what Blooms at the old Bowls green!

Posted 23 May 2025 19:25

Group 24 / VERDE VISION

Chung May Y

[Day 10] Wrap Up

This marks the end of our MSALive25 journey.

A huge thank you to everyone for your hard work and participation throughout these intensive two weeks. We've learned so much, grown as a team. We couldn’t have done it without each and every one of you.

A special shout-out to Ross and Lisa from Life Leisure for providing this incredible collaboration opportunity and for their ongoing support throughout the project.

And lastly, don’t miss our exhibition later on to see the final outputs of our hard work! See you all in the exhibition!❤️

Posted 23 May 2025 19:04

Group 03 / BRICK BY BRICK

Chia-Yu L

05.23 _ THE FINAL PUSH

It’s the final day, and the team came together with full momentum—determined to bring all our ideas to life and present them in a clear, engaging format. With everyone now working as one unified group, we focused on finalising the digital model and producing high-quality renderings to communicate the depth and detail of our proposal.

The atmosphere in the room was energetic and collaborative as we refined every element—from spatial layouts to façade details—to ensure the final visuals reflected both the creativity of the children’s input and our architectural thinking. Rendering became the key focus, allowing us to produce a comprehensive visual narrative that ties together weeks of work, workshops, and design development.

As the day drew to a close, we wrapped up our outputs and gathered for a final group photo—marking the end of MSA Live Group 03’s journey. It’s been 2 full weeks of learning, collaboration, and creativity, and we’re proud of the outcome we’ve created together.

Posted 23 May 2025 18:52

Group 20 / GREEN HAVEN

Hongli Z

MSA live last day!

Regarding our last day, two weeks of development and design, we started with the site visit and with the good co-ordination and co-operation with all the members, we managed to complete the project and put everything together on the last day.

Thanks to the BA and MLA members who worked together on this project, they were very active in coming up with ideas and had good inputs that were implemented into the project, which was essential for us to successfully complete this project.

We hope that our participation in the project has really helped the customers of Gorton centre by providing them with new ideas.

Thank you very much！

Posted 23 May 2025 18:05

Group 16 / BRADFORD TAKEOVER

Gabriel T

Day 9 - 22.05.25 - Final Debrief

On Day 9, we prepared for our final collaboration meeting with Jade on what we produced during the second half of the action week. As everyone refined their interactive element for each key building of Bradford's City Centre, we confidentially presented our final models to Jade. We aimed to deliver clear instructions on how each interactive element is played, how it can encourage individuals to continue our urban trail through the city centre, and how this can be incorporated in the future to introduce new faces to Bradford.

Overall, the presentation went great; Jade joined us online and gave us some insight into how each activity depicts each building well, allowing more community engagement by welcoming locals to each building and understanding its cultural value. Our last task is to create a video showcasing how our heritage trail operates and providing clear instructions on completing each activity.

Written by Gabriel Tallara

Posted 23 May 2025 18:01

Group 36 / ECOHUB HOUSE

Ozgenur S

Finalll!

We had a meeting with out collaborator and they were really pleased with what we did. And then we went for pizza to celebrate!

Thanks to all of our groupmates, It was a pleasure working with you!

Posted 23 May 2025 17:56

Group 29 / FOREST SCHOOL

Louise H

And that’s a wrap!

2 weeks later and we have completed the forest school project! We have loved the experience and working with our collaborators at the Burnside Centre. We’re excited to see our ideas implemented on site :)

Posted 23 May 2025 17:45

Group 27 / SENSESCAPE

Yuran W

Day 9/10 – May 22/23: Booklet Binding

The final days of this project were spent very productively in the completion of the booklet, which the collaborators were extremely excited about. We were so happy to see it!

We were hopefully optimistic and thought we could finish it on Thursday night, this was not the case. However, coming back well rested on Friday morning we had another look at the booklet and finished in a timely manner :P

Just want to say thank you for everyone involved in the project and we couldn’t have asked for a better group. You all did amazing work and we’re so proud of everyone and what you achieved. We created a fun and meaningful design which we hope can one day become a reality!

Posted 23 May 2025 17:44

Group 38 / CORE COMMUNITY ENERGY PROJECT

Nur Iman Sofiah Binti NA

Final Day – Pizza, Reflection, and Celebration!

As the build phase wrapped up and the Possibility Machine stood proudly completed, we ended MSA Live on a well-earned high. With tools down and the final touches in place, we gathered one last time as a full team and not around models or materials, but around boxes of pizza!

Using the remainder of our project budget, we treated the BA students to a celebratory lunch as a small token of appreciation for their incredible energy, creativity, and commitment over the past two weeks. Between bites and laughter, we reflected on everything we had achieved together, from wild early concepts to fully realised, community-ready design.

This moment of pause gave us time to acknowledge the collaboration, resilience, and shared effort that powered the project forward. Thank you to every student, tutor, and contributor who helped bring the Possibility Machine to life. What a journey!

—Team 30
Possibility Machine 🍕✨

Posted 23 May 2025 17:43

Yap ZH

Day 10: Presentation & Signing off

After our glorious noodle-fuelled lunch, we headed back to campus for the grand finale, the presentation. Mike, our client, was well chuffed. He couldn’t believe we pulled it all off in under 10 days. (And no, we didn’t touch the weekends, weekends are sacred. That’s sofa and snack time, not spreadsheets and stress time.)

The Dandelion site dropped on us out of nowhere, but we still managed to deliver. We didn’t even step foot on site, but thanks to Alexander (our CORE undercover agent), who visited last Friday and handed over everything like a mission-critical drop, we had all the images and plans we needed.

All in all, these two weeks were intense. Not just the workload, the coordination, the pace, the personalities. Herding cats might have been easier. But we made it, and we’re honestly pretty proud of ourselves for smashing it out on time.

Massive thanks to the MSA Live team and our mighty Team 38 legends. You know who you are, absolute heroes!!

Posted 23 May 2025 17:32

Day 10 - Reflecting on SnA Proposals

As we wrapped up MSA LIVE, we wanted to include a snippet of our BAs proposals -s each concept contributes to a renewed identity for SnA and connects to St Helens' wider growth plans and rich heritage.

All three proposals focus on reimagining the space with vibrant canopies stretching across the street, designed to draw in both locals and visitors through their Instagrammable charm. Think fairy lights, light projections, bold banners, and striking façades in the signature pink, yellow, and blue of SnA.

These interventions not only energise the space visually but symbolise a brighter, more connected future for the area - celebrating creativity, community, and possibility.

Posted 23 May 2025 17:25

MSA Live Group 01 The Half Time Hub

Signing Off.

Julienne from the team of Half Time Hub wishes everyone well!

Good-Bye for now!

:)

Posted 23 May 2025 17:22

THANK YOU!

The Final Post to Our Blog...

After 10 incredibly productive and inspiring days, we have officially finalised our MSA Live project for The Shed at The Landing. During the Action Weeks, our team progressed from initial introductions, site visits, and analyses to detailed design development, experimentation with building materials, and community engagement.

Throughout the project, collaboration was central to our efforts. The diverse mix of students from five different cohorts brought a wealth of perspectives and skills. This interdisciplinary approach not only enhanced our design process but also ensured our design choices were holistic, practical, and sensitive to the site's social and environmental context.

A heartfelt thank you to our collaborators at The Landing, the volunteers who participated in the workshop, and all the students who joined us for the Action Weeks and dedicated their time, energy, and creativity to this project.

We are proud of what we've accomplished as a team and can't wait to help build The Shed at The Landing one day.

Posted 23 May 2025 17:21

Day 10. Part. 3.

And that’s a wrap!

We did it!

Presentation? Check
Submissions? Check
Pizzas? Check
Timely puns? Check
Memories? Check

It was an amazing two weeks of MSA Live, filled with so many creative discussions, critiques, jokes, travelling and memories. These memories were shared over pizzas We loved working with Gorgeous Gorse Hill. The diverse identity of the team added to the fun. The experience from this project has given us a lot to learn and to be curious about, which will definitely help us in the future!

Posted 23 May 2025 17:20

Group 38 / CORE COMMUNITY ENERGY PROJECT

Day 10. Part 2 .

Onto the final changes and submissions.

As a part of the module, the publications and final outputs were almost complete and the team was excited for the final submissions.

Posted 23 May 2025 17:20

Yap ZH

Day 10: Final Touch-Ups and Noodles of Glory (Half Day)

The final day at MSA! We’d pretty much wrapped everything up, so we just rocked up for one last check before presenting to our client, Mike. Sadly, Alexander (also from CORE) couldn’t join us, off celebrating her birthday, the cheeky thing.

Once everything was ready, we headed out for some Chinese beef noodles to refuel, because let’s be honest, no one can deliver a decent presentation on an empty stomach. Starving brains make shaky slides!

Posted 23 May 2025 17:20

Day 10. Part 1.

Final Presentation at Bishop Blaize

Today marks the day of the final presentation, the one we really looked forward to. The team worked really hard to develop the final design and make all the visual including 3-D graphics and walkthroughs. The morning started beautifully at the Bishop Blaize and we welcomed member of the Gorgeous Gorse Hill community. The presentation went really well and this proved that team work makes the dream work. We are incredibly grateful to Ruth Hannan our collaborator and to the amazing members of the community who joined in today and made this entire process so worth it! It was incredibly exciting to work with them and it will always remain as a beautiful memory from our time in Manchester.

Posted 23 May 2025 17:19

23rd May – Day 10 – Intensive Week:
The final submission day! After weeks of effort, collaboration, and creative energy, we proudly wrapped up our work and submitted the project. It was a moment of immense satisfaction, seeing everything come together and cross the finish line.

Today, it was just the five of us, the same team we started this journey with. Ending it together felt like coming full circle. The day was calm and focused, spent ticking off checklists, doing the final touches, and soaking in the quiet sense of accomplishment. A fitting end to an intense, collaborative journey that brought out the best in all of us.

Posted 23 May 2025 17:17

Day 10 - Publication time!

Last day for our MSA Live group, and us MArch and MAAR students are wrapping up the publication for print and submissions, as well as reflecting on our journey on these two weeks, communicating with the client, and coordinating the BA's.

Posted 23 May 2025 17:03

Group 09 / WINDOW INTO LINDOW

Day 9 – End of Project Celebration!

After our client meeting, we wrapped up A Street and a Half with a well-deserved celebration - and what better way than with pizza! Our BAs loved it during the team-building lunch on Day 1, so it only felt right to finish as we started: with good food and great conversations.

This project has been such a valuable opportunity for both undergrads and postgrads to share ideas, learn from each other, and create something meaningful. We’re proud of the work we’ve done, and we'll definitely keep close next year!

Posted 23 May 2025 16:56

Group 14 / FLOAT

Baiyun S

Final Proposals!

The final designs explore a range of different ideas showcasing themes; adaptability, modulation, flexibility, representation, organic and adaptive reuse. They explore the threshold of public and private, allowing for secure and exposed spaces. The Canal and River Trust pushed the idea of getting the public close to interact with the water, which is the focus of many of the final designs produced, this has been done through ramps, viewing platforms and cutouts.

We have pushed the students this week to communicate their ideas through renders or collages. A range of styles have been displayed, which were all well received in the final presentation to the clients. The students should be proud of the work they have produced throughout the two weeks.

Posted 23 May 2025 16:43

Luke F

Day 10 - Publication and Handover!

The teams hard efforts came together today! We pulled together the final publication document and issued all our work to the collaborators for immediate use in Lindow Moss! A great two weeks!

Posted 23 May 2025 16:42

Day 9 - Final touches & Client Meeting

Thursday was all about final touches and a big push to finish the outputs and presentations of each group ahead of the meeting with Claire, on behalf of Kindred. She was genuinely excited by the three proposals, and how they all share themes of community, Instagram-friendly appeal, and ties with the glassmaking heritage of St Helens.

Our BA students did a fantastic job presenting their ideas, showing the work they've developed over the past two Action Weeks. It was a great opportunity to build their confidence and communication skills.

As we wrapped up, Claire's feedback was that we were successful in our approach - bringing a meaningful balance between younger and artistic communities!

Posted 23 May 2025 16:38

Group 33 / SKATE X ALSAGER

Action Weeks: Day 10

Our final day focused on bringing everything together. Everyone was extremely helpful and dedicated to completing their tasks—finalising drawings, refining ideas, and contributing to the publication. We worked collaboratively to compile and present our work comprehensively, ensuring we captured the full scope of the past two weeks. Once everyone wrapped up, we took well-deserved time to celebrate and socialise by sharing pizza. It was a great end to our MSA Live Project.

Posted 23 May 2025 16:22

Group 14 / FLOAT

Lai Ying L

Day 10!

We presented our final ideas to the representatives from the Canal and River Trust, James and Marcus, today. They were really pleased with the students' outputs and were surprised by how well the designs had come in as little as two weeks. They praised the range of ideas produced and liked the idea of storyboarding the different perspectives of different types of pontoon users.

They are going to take the range of ideas forward to achieve funding for a new floating platform within the Salthouse dock, which will house a range of activities for many different types of users. The students brought a different perspective that both James and Marcus were unaware of, which was that students aren’t familiar with the Canal and River Trust. They proposed some ideas to expand their user focus towards students by giving them space to study or even have a DJ platform. It was also important to give the pontoon a representation at nighttime, a couple groups did this simply through illumination.

Thank you to the Canal and River Trust for coming to see our presentations, and we hope you might use some of our ideas to gain funding and develop an adaptable and inclusive floating pontoon.

Posted 23 May 2025 16:20

Peiqing L

Thank you all for these incredible two weeks! Great job everyone!! You are all talented young architects, and it’s been a joy to work as a group!

Posted 23 May 2025 15:59

Group 33 / SKATE X ALSAGER

Peiqing L

PIZZA PARTY!!!!

Posted 23 May 2025 15:54

Group 07 / TYLDESLEY SPARK

Harley F

And that's a wrap!

A huge thanks to all the members of Tyldesley Spark for contributing to the project. Thank you to our client, 'For Tyldesley', for collaborating, engaging and supporting us throughout the Action Weeks. Finally, a special thanks to the MSA Live staff who have worked hard behind the scenes to organise such an amazing programme.

Posted 23 May 2025 15:51

Group 26 / THE HULME BLUEPRINT

Questionnaire for The Landing's Volunteers

We prepared the questionnaire for The Landing's volunteers, community, and collaborators to complete in order to help us understand their needs and requirements for the shed. The questions included the atmosphere and style of the shed they would like to see created, the building materials preferred, the core elements they consider most important, and their defined purpose for the structure. The results of this questionnaire were then taken into account while working on the final design and presented alongside our final presentation on Thursday (Day 9). It helped us all to gain a deeper understanding of the space and to appreciate the different perspectives people had on the project, particularly when their roles at The Landing varied.

Posted 23 May 2025 15:51

Group 29 / FOREST SCHOOL

Yan Hei Ashlie H

Day 10: FINAL PRESENTATION!!

Today marked the grand finale of our 2-week project! We returned to Burnside Centre to present our final proposal. We were joined by the directors of Burnside who were all really pleased with the outcome. Their positive feedback and enthusiasm for the project was really rewarding for us. With the fundings secured, we’re excited to see how our ideas will take shape and begin to make an impact for the community.

Posted 23 May 2025 15:50

Alliah M N

We would like to extend our thanks to our BA students; Francesco, Joseph, Nicola, Raihan, Yumiko, Arena, Auriane, Layla, Noemi and Zhu. Working together on this fun project has been made better by your hard work and excitement to learn!

Additionally, we would like to show our gratitude and appreciation for our tutors, Jason and Emily. Your guidance and advice has helped create a group project that has been a joy to experience.

Finally, to our collaborators. The experience of joining together on such an impactful and important project for such a special park and community has been an honour and privilege. Thank you Marc for your advice and enthusiasm throughout our time working together!

Sincerely Friends of Hulme Park

Posted 23 May 2025 15:49

Group 23 / THRIVE GARDEN

Eirini T

DAY 10
Presentation to the Client

Today marked the end of our journey with the project, and it couldn’t have finished on a better note. We presented our final design to the client, and his response was genuinely encouraging. He not only appreciated our work but told us he could see it becoming a real, tangible project. Even more exciting, he invited us to walk through the space in the future, a gesture that truly meant a lot to all of us.

It was incredibly fulfilling to know that we managed to bring his vision to life, and even more so to make him feel heard and understood through our design. Meeting him and working alongside his ideas has been a privilege; every detail he shared throughout the process contributed meaningfully to the final result. We’re grateful for the experience, the insights, and the connection we formed. It was the perfect conclusion to an inspiring collaboration.

Posted 23 May 2025 15:49

Group 33 / SKATE X ALSAGER

Peiqing L

DAY 10:
We were wrapping up the final organisation and scanning work. Our collaborators have asked us to film a video presentation for the project. We’re producing two separate videos—one tailored for children, aiming to communicate our ideas in a fun and engaging way, and another for the council, serving as a formal proposal to advocate for bringing the project to life at the skatepark.

Posted 23 May 2025 15:44

Group 31 / ECHOES OF INCLUSION

Nurul Atifah Binti AJ

From concept to craft, our physical models capture our design intentions, translating drawings and digital visions into tactile, scaled realities.

The exterior model brings our shipping container music stage to life complete with integrated storage, green roof, and much needed ramp access. The model also highlights our hydraulic mechanism, designed for easy operation for the stage openings.

The interior model showcases our reimagined music classroom: from accessible, colour-coded storage and calming quiet nooks to the sensory corner and hexagonal acoustic flower panels. It’s a miniature world of music, movement, and care crafted to reflect the everyday needs of Delamere’s students and teachers.

These models aren’t just representations, they’re a celebration of thoughtful, inclusive design and the collaboration between M. Arch and BA students. Hats off to everyone involved!!!!

Posted 23 May 2025 15:40

Group 26 / THE HULME BLUEPRINT

Alliah M N

The final day consisted of finishing up the final edits. Sophie worked hard completing the publication while I wrote up the last of the text. We all jumped on a video call to discuss final objectives and uploading, so let's cross our fingers everything is right! We all came together, glad and happy to have achieved everything in the past two weeks, reminiscing on our struggles and our wins.

Posted 23 May 2025 15:39

22nd May – Day 9 – Intensive Week:
Today marked the final push before submission. As planned, we dedicated the day to post-production, fine-tuning visuals, polishing layouts, and perfecting all the final details. The atmosphere was intense yet focused, with everyone giving their best to bring everything together seamlessly. As the day wrapped up, we bid farewell to our team with warm smiles, shared gratitude, and treated each other to pizza and sweets, a small celebration of how far we had come. It was a day filled with both accomplishment and anticipation for the final submission ahead.

Posted 23 May 2025 15:37

Action Weeks: Day 9
Post 2

Each participant of the workshop at The Landing had the opportunity to prepare their own mycelium brick to take home, using the forms and materials we had prepared earlier in the week. We also explained mycelium's growing requirements and the following steps they need to undertake once they take it home. The workshop created a great atmosphere for exchanging ideas. It was a chance to introduce sustainable construction techniques in a tangible way and for the community to get involved in one of the core aspects of the project for the space they will be using once it is built.

Posted 23 May 2025 15:37

21st May – Day 8 – Intensive Week:
It was a fun yet highly productive day as we approached the final deadline. The studio buzzed with focus and excitement, and despite the pressure, everyone worked with energy and enthusiasm. There was a real sense of progress and teamwork in the air. Happy faces all around showed that we were getting through it—tired, but proud of how far we’d come.

Posted 23 May 2025 15:29

Marwa Sanad Abdul Hameed AS

Action Weeks: Day 9
Post 1

Today, we returned to The Landing to meet our collaborators and host a hands-on workshop with their volunteers, focusing on creating mycelium bricks. We also had the opportunity to finally share our process and the final design with both our collaborators and The Landing's community. It was incredibly valuable to receive feedback from those who use the space regularly and are deeply invested in caring for it. It was great opportunity to engage in discussions among volunteers and students from different cohorts regarding sustainable approaches in architecture and the necessity of community involvement in built environment.

Posted 23 May 2025 15:12

Group 37 / ECO CHURCH

Ruizi Z

DAY 10 – Completion
Our final day marked the culmination of two weeks of collaborative research, design, and production. With the last edits completed and visuals finalised, we submitted our publication.

Submission
The booklet brings together everything we’ve developed. We presented our work as a team, walking through both the process and the outcome with clarity and pride.

Looking Back (and Celebrating)
This project has been a journey of interdisciplinary thinking, communication, and teamwork. We’ve not only engaged with architectural design and sustainability principles, but also with real community needs, translating research into meaningful, site-specific ideas.

Posted 23 May 2025 15:06

Group 19 / WILD BROOK

DAY 10

After the success of yesterday’s presentation, a few minor changes were needed to the booklet before sending the final version to Dave and Lina. We spent this last day consolidating our work for the MSA Live publication and completing all the logistics and administrative tasks necessary for us to submit.

Over ten days, our collaborative journey was filled with moments of cultural exchange, deep learning, and achievement. From thorough research, brainstorming, and volunteering ... to concept development, modelling, and visual production, the two weeks cultivated a holistic design approach that relies on scientific research and technological evidence. The final strategy guide provided for Local Food First CIC will support the collaborators with a compilation of all information needed/relevant to Wildbrook and offer design proposals that they can share to collect much-needed funding and gain support in implementing a rainwater collecting and harvesting system across the site.

We are deeply grateful to our dedicated group members from BA1, BA2, and MLA (Man Yuet, Sarawand, Junxiao, Ane, Joshua, Yidan, Jiawen, and Jinchen), whose tireless efforts and creativity fueled the success of this project. We extend heartfelt appreciation to the invaluable contributions and expertise of our collaborators, Dave and Lina, whose support, guidance, and teachings have enriched this collaborative exploration and journey. The experience gained during MSA Live 25 has been enriching for us all. It reflects the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, experiential learning, and real-world applications. Although our time technically ends after the Action Weeks, we established a long-lasting relationship with LFF moving forward. We will all carry the lessons learned, conversations shared (both relevant and not), and a sense of satisfaction with the achievements together.

Thank you for joining us on this journey!

Posted 23 May 2025 15:00

Group 35 / UNDER THE POET'S TREE

Harry D

23/05/25 | We've made it!

The finishing touches to the model had been made, and the construction manuals & kit of parts had been printed out ready to hand over to the Poetry Library. The students decided who would like to introduce the work they’d done to the members of the Poetry Library, those being Martin and Kaye, for an informal presentation.

The project all came full circle, we presented to the Library at the end of the two weeks, where they presented to us at the start. This felt like a really nice way to end both weeks of hard work. The presentation itself went really well; Kaye, who was not aware of the outputs was “enormously surprised by the final piece when it was presented in the library by the team. What you have produced is beyond my expectations”. Martin’s feedback was certainly encouraging, going on to say, “The outcome itself is an incredible piece of work, which could genuinely be adopted in the library”.

Looking back at the past two weeks, it was great to lead such an inquisitive and hard working group of undergraduates, those of which have created an excellent piece of work, and a commendable final product.

We ended things with a group lunch, courtesy of the budget we were yet to spend, which was a lovely way to send the project off. We spoke not only about the project, but their future aspirations, hoping to give them some useful guidance for the future!

Posted 23 May 2025 14:32

Group 18 / THE CANOPY COLLECTIVE

Frances R

Day 10:
The close: today we’ve collated our submission and reflected as a team. We’ve really enjoyed having two weeks of uninterrupted time to spend on this project. Our collaborator- Growing Togetherness CIC, and the community surrounding this organization, has been so welcoming and enthusiastic about the project and moving their site forward. We hope that our design can contribute to the eventual building of this shelter on the site, but either way, it has been fantastic to see how the model of a circular economy is being put into practice I local communities. It’s also been great working with multiple year groups and we hope that they got as much out of the experience as we have. I think that we’re all ending MSA Live encouraged about taking on live projects in the future.

Posted 23 May 2025 14:32

Group 07 / TYLDESLEY SPARK

Finley H

And that’s a wrap!!!

We successfully submitted, no sleep lost, no stress. Maybe we’ve been desensitised by past deadlines… But hey, a win is a win! Standing ovation

We had such a great time preparing for MSA Live: working with the BAs, getting hands-on with model making, and pulling everything together for our publication.

We are proud of our progress and submissions!!

Posted 23 May 2025 14:10

Group 04 / RESCUE HUB

Yuanhao L

Action Week: Day 10

Today is our last meeting. We completed our last task today, shooting and layout the models of each plan we made. We also held a final carnival pizza ceremony to celebrate our hard work in the past two weeks. Every team member has made their own efforts, and I am very grateful to meet you. We have also learned a lot from each other in these two weeks, and I am very grateful to meet you!

Posted 23 May 2025 14:08

Taras M

Day 10 roundup

The end of the action weeks and the conclusion of Tyldesley Spark as an MSA Live project!

Today was spent updating the drawings to the clients’ comments before packaging them and sending them over, along with the CAD file and our design development work.

The drawings we have produced will now be taken forward by the client and incorporated into a Full Planning Application for the scheme, and be used to secure funding for future phases of the regeneration of Tyldesley High Street.

Although this is the end of the action weeks, the project is far from completed, and we look forward to seeing our scheme be realised in the near future!

Posted 23 May 2025 14:08

Design Summary: Surfaces

Concept
The surfaces were conceived as the primary output of The Possibility Machine, a space for mess-making, mark-making, and shared creativity. The design team (Sana, Regine, Alyssa, and later joined by Irmak and Elena) responded to the brief with an emphasis on playfulness, adaptability, and sustainability. Inspired by collaborative working, they developed a modular system of tables and surfaces that could be rearranged, replaced, or added to over time. The concept foregrounded process over perfection, celebrating impermanence, layering, and interaction with the community.

Construction
The surfaces were made using repurposed timber and components from previous versions of The Possibility Machine, notably recycling collaborative artworks made with the client, Joseph. Offcuts, laminated boards, and salvaged pieces were carefully cut, sanded, and treated by the team. Each surface was distinct in shape and texture, some “squiggly,” others more structured, allowing for a variety of drawing, writing, or assemblage activities to take place simultaneously.

Assembly
Mounted onto a modular extendable table designed by the group, the surfaces could be added, removed, and rearranged with ease. Attention was given to how these elements connected to the frame of the machine, ensuring structural support while maintaining a sense of lightness and impermanence. This flexibility was key: surfaces were not fixed monuments, but evolving platforms for engagement, remixing their designs on the day to further extend the possibilities of the surfaces. The team worked collaboratively, adjusting fittings and modules right up to the client visit, ensuring everything was presentation-ready and robust enough for the site visit.

Use
On site, the surfaces became the heart of the machine. Children and adults alike engaged with them, drawing, chalking, collaging, and leaving traces of their presence. The modular nature allowed the client to reconfigure the layout based on space, audience, or activity, making it a tool that could grow with each outing. The result was a joyful, evolving workbench of expression, grounded in ethical making, recycled materials, and a deep care for the users it was made to serve.

Posted 23 May 2025 14:05

Design Summary: Stability

Concept
The steel wire basket feet were designed to provide stability to The Possibility Machine, anchoring it securely in outdoor, public, and uneven environments. Inspired by the gabion-style rock cages often seen at the sides of motorways, used for erosion control and structural reinforcement, these wire forms brought an industrial yet pragmatic elegance to the design. The concept was driven by the need for flexible, removable weight distribution that didn’t compromise mobility or aesthetics.

Construction
Designed and developed by Irmak and Elena, the baskets were crafted from malleable yet durable steel wire, shaped into open cages that could be filled with heavy materials (rocks, bricks, or other found weight). Their modularity allowed them to be adapted for different terrains and weight needs, while their open form made them visually light and spatially unobtrusive. The simplicity of the form belied its strength, and the team iterated on scale, form, and attachment to ensure a secure and balanced outcome.

Assembly
The baskets were attached to the base of the machine frame, strategically placed to counterbalance the height and uneven weight of other components. The design allowed for quick placement and removal, making them ideal for a machine that needs to be both grounded and mobile. The group worked closely with Joseph to ensure that the baskets integrated seamlessly with the frame's modular system.

Use
In practice, the baskets could be filled on-site with local rocks and materials, demonstrating adaptability and resourcefulness. They provide subtle but critical grounding to the machine, ensuring stability during movement and community engagement activities. Beyond their practical function, the baskets echoed the project’s themes of reuse, site-responsiveness, and low-tech ingenuity, showing how even the most utilitarian components can carry conceptual weight.

Posted 23 May 2025 14:00

Design Summary: Shelter

Concept
The shelter canopy was designed to provide a soft, protective envelope over The Possibility Machine, offering shade, a sense of intimacy, and visual intrigue. Maddie’s concept responded directly to the client’s desire for sun protection and sensory engagement. Taking inspiration from ideas of controlled mess and patchwork aesthetics, the canopy became both a functional roof and an expressive, dynamic skin. A key feature was the incorporation of holes in the outer layer, allowing light to filter through in soft patterns, animating the space beneath and turning it into a place of quiet magic and possibility.

Construction
The shelter was constructed entirely from reclaimed fabrics, many of which were sourced by Maddie through material scavenge missions, including salvaging fabric scraps from the Lowry Building’s bins. The structure used a double-layer design: an outer patchwork skin of mixed-texture recycled fabrics, and an inner lining made from a single, clean surface to give clarity and definition from within. This duality—chaotic outer, calm inner, reflected the ethos of the machine as a space for messy, meaningful engagement. Stitching was done manually, with input and hands-on support from Taoran, Harry, Liu, and Gongxin, and design guidance from Shiv and Hannah.

Assembly
The shelter was mounted directly onto the client’s aluminium frame. Maddie, Shiv, and Hannah worked collaboratively to ensure the canopy was taut, well-fitted, and structurally stable. Thoughtful attention was given to the way it draped and interacted with the rest of the machine, maintaining visual coherence while remaining easy to dismantle and transport. The final result was both sculptural and practical—a highly adaptive covering that transformed the frame without overpowering it.

Use
In practice, the shelter provides shade for workshop activities, defines the space spatially and visually, and adds a soft layer of comfort and curiosity. The holes create shifting light effects throughout the day, drawing people in and offering a dynamic quality to the interior. It marks The Possibility Machine as a zone of focused play, and its tactile, handmade quality speaks directly to the values of reuse, creativity, and care at the heart of the project.

Posted 23 May 2025 13:59

Group 13 / WHAT IF?

Alexander A

A recap of a fantastic 2 weeks. We want to thank all the students who were engaged with the process and helped us deliver something special to our collaborators.

Posted 23 May 2025 13:55

Samah O

The instrument board is designed as a playable musical instrument. It features pegs on the board that can be strung with strings, various percussion instruments, and children's music toys like xylophones, which can also be hung, making it an engaging and educational musical board for children. When not used as a musical instrument, the pegs on the board can also transform it into a utility pegboard for hanging and storing items.

Posted 23 May 2025 13:54

Group 13 / WHAT IF?

Alexander A

Showing the impact of What If? across Edgeley in the next 10 years

Posted 23 May 2025 13:54

Day 9: On the Road – The Possibility Machine Comes to Life

After 2 weeks of making, refining, and imagining, The Possibility Machine finally left the studio, and hit the road. Day 9 marked our much-anticipated site visit to Oswestry, where the project met the public for the first time.

🚌 The Journey – We travelled by coach—an hour and twenty minutes through sleepy roads and rolling countryside. The journey was filled with naps, snacks, uni work, and laughter. A quiet energy spread through the bus, part anticipation, part exhaustion, part pride.

🌤️ Arrival & Acclimatisation – Once we arrived, we met the client, Joseph, who encouraged us to explore the surroundings while he began initial setup. We wandered, took in the local atmosphere, and got a sense of the place The Possibility Machine would soon inhabit.

🛠️ Assembly – After 20 minutes, we returned to begin the reassembly. Joseph led the process, with students guiding and supporting, testing how our components performed outside the studio. This was a key part of the day: ensuring each design element was easy to mount, adaptable, and held up in the real world. Watching it all come together on site brought a new kind of satisfaction, our collective efforts translating from drawings and prototypes into something alive.

🚶‍♂️ Rolling into Town – With the machine fully assembled, we rolled it into Oswestry town centre. What followed was a burst of creative expression, we spread out, chalked the pavements, and left a trail of colour and curiosity. Locals stopped, smiled, and joined in. Conversations sparked. Hands got messy. Our inner children emerged, and for a few hours, The Possibility Machine did exactly what it was built for: inviting play, participation, and possibility.

🎨 Engagement & Goodbye – From mark-making to shared moments, the interaction with the community felt genuine and joyful. At 3pm, we helped Joseph disassemble the machine, packed up, and said our goodbyes. Tired but buzzing with pride.

🌟 Reflection – Today, we saw our work not just function but flourish. We watched something we built together come alive, and we watched people respond to it. That feeling of collaboration realised, of impact made, is hard to top. What an achievement.

Well done, everyone.

Posted 23 May 2025 13:45

Group 08 / FRIENDS OF WATERHOUSE

Hoi Fai Y

The climbing board is a movable cart with several unique design features, including a climbing wall, a ladder on the side, monkey bars on the top, and a shelf inside. When not in use, it can serve as storage space, and when needed, it can be transformed into a fun, climbable playground for children.

Posted 23 May 2025 13:44

Emanuil Petrovich S

DAY 10

On the final day, the students presented their design proposals to representatives from Buttress Architects and key stakeholders involved in the MSA Live project. Each student articulated their design approach, explaining the rationale behind their programmatic interventions and how these responded to both the spatial qualities and the broader landscape of the Ince Chapels.

The feedback from Buttress and the stakeholders was overwhelmingly positive. They expressed genuine enthusiasm for the students’ insights and creative interpretations and expressed their excitement about viewing the complete body of work at the upcoming MSA Live exhibition.

To celebrate the project's conclusion, the entire group gathered for a pizza outing. The atmosphere was filled with pride and satisfaction as the students reflected on their achievements and the meaningful engagement facilitated by The Friends of Waterhouse throughout the process.

Posted 23 May 2025 13:42

Jonathan Marcus Jia Qian L

The music board is designed for physical media and equipment storage paired with the social aspects of music. It features hexagon-shaped shelves and built-in drum boxes that can be removed to create additional seating. The side shelf can also be folded down to provide extra space, transforming the board into a mobile music hub for exploring music, listening parties, workshops and gigs.

Posted 23 May 2025 13:40

Adam Batts

Hi, my name is Adam, I’m a BA1 at the MSA. Working with the MSA Live team for Plastic Shed has been such an exciting, inspiring process that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed. Exploring Stockport, talking to Catlin and coming up with imaginative ideas for her new workshop allowed me to delve into the process of real-world design, taking in many new perspectives and skills of the entire team. Being a part of this project has been such a privilege, giving a great opportunity to help the community and support an organisation with incredible initiative and aims. I’m looking forward to seeing where our designs will take Plastic Shed and will miss working with the team!

Posted 23 May 2025 13:37

Ilham Noor Jamal Shamji

This project gave me a chance to try out a bunch of new things like injection moulding, growing mushrooms, and weaving a chair. I also got to build on some older skills, particularly with 3D modelling and printing. Overall, I had a great time and loved seeing everyone’s ideas come to life.

Posted 23 May 2025 13:37

Finley H

A splash of colour and a whole lot of excitement. A vibrant board designed as a mini game zone for the kids! This board features a mini basketball hoop, a lower ball toss area and a fun hook-and-ring game. When playtime's over, the top portion can work as storage hooks and the lower portion can turn into hidden storage. The vibrant colours of the boards add energy to any room for active, creative play!

Posted 23 May 2025 13:36

Iqbaal Kusi

Over the course of the last 2 weeks, I worked alongside my peers in BA, MLA & MArch to deliver a proposal to our client, the owner of the establishment known as Plastic Shed. We engaged in various activities during the span of the project and eventually designed pieces of modular furniture for the new shop that the owner is going to be moving into. I mainly worked on the development of a chair to complement her workshop table (that we also designed). This was done using Rhino and Photoshop. Overall, I am satisfied with the work we have developed.

Posted 23 May 2025 13:36

Jessica Dillon

Hi my name is Jessica and I’m a first year student at MSA. During MSA live, I have loved working with the plastic shed, specifically on the chair. A highlight of the two weeks was working as a team to clean the bottle lid mural in Stockport. I felt we really got a sense of the community through chatting to members of the public passing by and encouraging them to be involved. It has been extremely interesting learning about  reusing plastic and using our existing knowledge to create pieces and a new studio space. Overall, this project has aided me in many skill sets and I’m looking forward to MSA live next year!

Posted 23 May 2025 13:35

Shek Wing Chi

Hi, is Joy here, a postgraduate student in Landscape Architecture at MSA. I completed my undergraduate degree at Birmingham City University and spent two years working across both interior and landscape design fields before joining MSA. While some might think studying landscape architecture is just about gardening, it’s so much more. We explore how to create sustainable environments and design spaces that support harmony between people and nature.

One exciting aspect of our MSA live is giving materials a second life—like developing new furniture from recycled plastics, which reflects our commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility.

Posted 23 May 2025 13:34

Manon Evans

Hiya, my names Manon and I’m a first-year student at MSA. Over the last couple of weeks, I have thoroughly enjoyed working on our MSA live project with the Plastic Shed. I really loved all the different activities we did in the first week, such as visiting Caitlin’s studio and helping her create her recycled pieces. Cleaning the mural was also such a fun activity that we all loved. Designing the chandelier and getting the chance to create it, really helped develop my skills and learning from the other students was really valuable. Particularly, the master’s students taught me lots about photoshop and creating visualisations and I’m really pleased with how they came together. Working with everyone from different years was such a pleasure and was such a lovely way to end my first year at MSA.

Posted 23 May 2025 13:33

Oscar Sortwell

The past two weeks working in MSA Live have been invaluable to my experience at the MSA and architectural education. Working with a real client made my process in design grounded, as I worked toward a real and tangible final product, which I would produce by the end of the two weeks. I found a symbiosis in collaborating with other architecture students across the different years at the school; we learnt from each other, with varying abilities across our different skill sets. I enjoyed working with the Stockport community, and am excited to participate in MSA Live again next year.

Posted 23 May 2025 13:31

This blog record starts with our introduction and expectations for the two weeks. On the last day, we hope to end the time with the introduction and reflection of each BA student. Let's start with Sean:

Sean Mcgrath
The past two weeks have allowed me to develop my design skills in an alternate fashion, focussing on interior design and pieces slotting together to make furniture. Collaborating with master’s students has enhanced my digital skills with extra tools building upon my previous abilities whilst introducing me to new ways of working. Sessions with Plastic Shed has built environmental awareness with explorations of potential uses of the boards.

Posted 23 May 2025 13:30

Product Description:

SHEET is a robust, recycled plastic panel made from shredded plastic bottle caps, turning everyday waste into functional, eye-catching material. Each sheet is heat-pressed without additives or dyes, showcasing a unique, speckled pattern that reflects the varied origins of the plastic. Designed for durability and versatility, SHEET is suitable for furniture, and surface applications. Its bold aesthetic and sustainable story promote a circular design approach, emphasising local recycling, and low-tech production methods.

Posted 23 May 2025 13:28

Product Description:

STÜNNÅ is a recycled bottle lid chandelier designed as a display piece reflecting the creative and sustainable vision of plastic shed. The colourful bottle lids are punched and threaded onto vinyl strips and fixed to a reused lampshade frame. Different lengths, shapes and orientation of these strings create a bright, eye-catching effect that aim to draw the community to the space and the addition of an LED bulb can further elevate the piece.

Posted 23 May 2025 13:24

Group 13 / WHAT IF?

Max F

Student Feed Back on MArch Students

Posted 23 May 2025 13:23

Product Description:

STORA is a modular hexagonal storage system. It can be used flexibly with horizontal, vertical and stacked variations, using 3D printed joints to hold the panels together without glue. The hexagonal system makes for visually interesting shelves sat on the Hålö display boards.

Posted 23 May 2025 13:23

Anisha Ann Varghese AAV

Designed for both creativity and multifunctional purposes, this display board is equipped with pegboards, fabric pocket storage, shelving units, adjustable hooks, and wheels for easy rearrangement. These are perfect for displaying fabric and storing the fabric rolls in site! Its modular design features allows it to be repositioned around the board and create interesting and ever-changing displays!

Posted 23 May 2025 13:23

Anisha Ann Varghese AAV

This modular display board comes with smart organisation for every space! Its foam board is equipped with adjustable hooks and shelves, offering flexibility. What makes it even more versatile is that the storage units can be removed to use as stand-alone storage units. These are perfect for storing items and carrying them across spaces and can even be tucked away! This board is both versatile and a practical solution that is lightweight yet sturdy.

Posted 23 May 2025 13:22

Product Description:

SITTA is intended to be made fully from plastic modular pieces. These pieces will be able to join together without the assistance of any screws or adhesives, making it a sustainable development as the components will be reusable and recyclable.

Posted 23 May 2025 13:16