MSA Live 25

Day 07: Phase 2 Development and Finalisation

As we approach our final client meeting on Wednesday, the groups progressed their design work, focusing on the key outputs required for an effective presentation.

Utilising the experience and post-production techniques of our postgraduates, we were able to teach and guide the undergraduate students on visualisation techniques, hopefully elevating our outputs for the client and their knowledge as they continue their studies.

Each group was required to produce a post with similar outputs, conveying our group's work with varying graphical finishing and teachings. With only a few days allowed to develop these ideas, we have been extremely impressed with the abilities of all our students and look forward to showing off our visions to the client!

Posted 22 May 2025 15:49

Group 10 / REIMAGINGING WATERBARN CHAPEL

Action Week Two Outline Work

Week 2 follows a more streamlined approach to the project, focusing on final outcomes and client presentations. As postgraduate students, we have coordinated work expectations for each group as we approach the final client meeting. Building on the success of our Phase 1 delivery, which aligned with Tameside's expectations, the wider vision scheme expands the brief to exceed their expectations, demonstrating our ambitions for students to go beyond the brief.

Continuing the mini design competition and organisation of work, we aim to continue developing a range of schemes that could lead to the further development of the park and leverage future funding, improving community engagement with the area. Utilising the knowledge and experience of our master's students, we aim to guide our undergraduates through this process to elevate the outputs of phase 1 into this wider vision brief. We look forward to seeing each of the exciting and innovative responses the three groups produce!

Posted 22 May 2025 15:49

Group 19 / WILD BROOK

Wenchi Y

Day 8
We further refined the content that needed to be submitted and conducted an experiment on one of the rainwater collection systems. The results of the model showed that the rainwater collection system of this building could collect rainwater efficiently.

Posted 22 May 2025 15:46

Eleanor Somerset W

Sneak peek! We are putting the final touches on our design proposal and presentation. We are looking forward to sharing our ideas and outputs with Valley Heritage tomorrow!

Posted 22 May 2025 15:41

Group 37 / ECO CHURCH

Ruizi Z

DAY 9 – Final Push
With the submission just around the corner, Day 9 was all about focus, urgency, and teamwork.

Last Refinements and Output
Everyone was fully immersed in finalising their assigned sections. From redrawing diagrams to updating site visuals, adjusting line weights, cleaning up layouts, and refining titles—each small detail was revisited to ensure the final publication is coherent and polished.

Posted 22 May 2025 15:40

Group 26 / THE HULME BLUEPRINT

Sakshi Nitin A

Morning Celebration Highlights! 🍕

Today, we kicked off the morning with a Pizza Party to celebrate everyone's hard work and creativity! A big congratulations to our winners from each group:

🏆 V-Ray Group – Joseph
🏆 Enscape Group – Nicola
🏆 Lumion Team – Arena

We’re so proud of all the efforts — well done, everyone!
Here we share some joyful moments from our celebration! 📸✨

Posted 22 May 2025 15:20

Day 06: Stamford Park Run

From as early as our first client meeting at the beginning of this project, we were encouraged to engage with community events within Chadwick Dam to heighten our relationship with the community and ground our response to the brief in real-world engagement.

On Saturday, May 17th, at 8:30 a.m., Simon and Jacob travelled to the site to participate in the Stamford Park Run, which showcases the community's engagement with the space. As a keen runner, Simon took responsibility for showing off MSAs' athleticism while Jacob held the fort at the finish line, ready for any questioning and feedback from those completing the Run.

We found the event to be encouraging and received an overwhelmingly positive response from all those involved in the Run. Bribed with chocolate treats, the runners and volunteers were encouraged to engage with our site model and Phase 1 poster, gaining further invaluable feedback on the progression of the scheme. It was great to be a part of the event, and we were grateful that our Tameside collaborator, Haley, made us aware of this opportunity.

Posted 22 May 2025 15:17

13GB Architecture resources file transfer as a thank you for hard work

As a thank you to the BA1 and BA2 students, I transferred over 6,000 architectural resources to them. This consisted of images of people, vegetation, etc., brushes for Photoshop/Illustrator, Revit families, Revit parameter files, software guides/manuals, stamps for Illustrator/CAD, and many more. This will help the students save hundreds of hours searching for these resources and encourage them to learn new software.

Posted 22 May 2025 15:12

Final presentation to what If

As the project came to a close, we presented our amazing work to Pauline, who heads What If, in order to get feedback. Pauline was incredibly happy with the outputs — she was even reduced to tears at one point (which is actually true, we weren’t expecting it either).

Posted 22 May 2025 15:11

Masterplanning

The masterplan looks at What If’s presence with a longer-term vision, exploring how the site can engage with the local area over an extended time span. Crucially, it considers how the site will connect with the forthcoming Stockport 8 residential development happening right on their doorstep.

Posted 22 May 2025 15:10

Group 31 / ECHOES OF INCLUSION

Finishing off and photographing our final model

In preparation for our meeting later with our client, Pauline, we finished off the final bits and pieces of our model and began photographing it.

Posted 22 May 2025 15:08

Nurul Atifah Binti AJ

On Day 7 the model is taking shape, and it’s looking just like the ideas we brainstormed and sketched out during the first action week (love when that happens!).

Over in B.15, our internal and external BA teams are going full steam ahead, bringing ideas to life with guidance from M.Arch students, turning sketches into structure and concepts into tangible form.

Meanwhile, the visualisation team is piecing everything together into one slick presentation, preparing for our Thursday reveal with Sally, Delamere’s head teacher. It’s exciting to see everything click into place. The space is starting to speak for itself, and it’s already sounding great!

Posted 22 May 2025 15:07

Group 26 / THE HULME BLUEPRINT

Sakshi Nitin A

Yesterday was one of the busiest days, as everyone was working on the verge of producing the best renders.

Posted 22 May 2025 15:06

Day 05: Phase 1 Revisions and Wider Vision Definition

With the encouraging feedback from our Phase 1 work in mind, each group is back to the drawing board as alterations are to be made that align with our clients' comments.

With speedy revisions made by our collaboration between students, the groups were able to progress into defining an outcome and logical progression for the wider vision phase, demonstrating our group's ambition to go beyond Tameside's initial brief.

Undergoing a similar process to Phase 1, using site analysis and precedent data, we began to see these visions slowly becoming fully realised. With the client's defined output expectations, each group had clear direction and freedom to express their creativity through various diagrammatic, architectural, and visual renderings. We look forward to seeing what each group will produce!

Posted 22 May 2025 15:03

Group 31 / ECHOES OF INCLUSION

Baiyun S

Pizza lunch!

We headed to YES for half-price pizzas. Crust too big. Bit salty. Overall great company. 7/10.

Posted 22 May 2025 14:58

Nurul Atifah Binti AJ

With roles clearly mapped out, Day 6 was all about refining and making. Our internal and external BA teams focused on their strengths: some shaping physical models, others refining plans, elevations, and sections for visual rendering.

Many BA students found themselves navigating new software like SketchUp and AutoCAD for the first time, stepping outside their comfort zones and learning impressively fast! It’s been genuinely fun watching them tackle challenges and accomplish tasks they initially found unfamiliar; exactly what MSA Live was designed to encourage.

We’re loving the momentum and can’t wait to see the team in full flow tomorrow!

Posted 22 May 2025 14:58

Group 31 / ECHOES OF INCLUSION

Eleanor VB

Day 9!

This is the last push towards our final outputs and client presentation tomorrow! Our master's students delivered an introductory tutorial on rendering in Lumion and how to situate designs in more context and with more textures. We then went on to put our different designs into the software, bringing them to life as key visuals in our proposals.

Some of us are also developing collage visuals for a more hands-on aesthetics to complement the dock's as a cultural and creativity hotspot.

Posted 22 May 2025 14:54

Nurul Atifah Binti AJ

Day 5 saw a dynamic shift in pace as our internal and external teams split into two focused groups to begin translating our conceptual ideas into physical and digital models.

One group headed to the B.15 Modelmaking Workshop to kickstart our physical model. The process was hands-on and exploratory, involving material tests to find the best approach for showcasing our ideas. The tactile nature of modelmaking added a new layer to how we perceive and communicate scale and form.

Meanwhile, the other group dived into digital visualisation by setting up SketchUp files and starting early orthographic layouts in AutoCAD. Rather than fully producing outputs, this stage focused on testing workflows and setting up templates for developing plans, sections, and elevations. They worked closely with the physical team to ensure proportional and spatial alignment.

This split-team approach proved productive as each group’s process informed the other’s. As our models began to take shape, so did a clearer sense of how our proposal sits within its context, setting us up for the next stage of refinement.

We’re excited to see these representations evolve over the coming days. Onward to Day 6 of our second MSA Live action week!

Posted 22 May 2025 14:53

[Day 9] Final Presentation

We presented our work from the past two weeks to our collaborators. It was a chance to walk them through our design process, explain the ideas from community engagement, and show how far we’ve come since the beginning.

It was great to see all the pieces come together. Site Cheadle's spatial experience with bouldering, Site Romiley's journey with outdoor seating, and all the community input that shaped the final outcome.

It was a proud moment for the whole group!

Posted 22 May 2025 14:46

[Day 9] Final Run-through

With the design work behind us, today was all about final prep for the presentation.

We ran through the entire presentation as a team, fine-tuning our script and made sure everyone felt confident about their part. We're excited and a bit nervous but the hard work is done. It’s been a full two weeks of intense work, and now we’re just minutes away from sharing it all.

Fingers crossed it all goes smoothly. Let’s do this!!

Posted 22 May 2025 14:43

Group 16 / BRADFORD TAKEOVER

Day 04: Interim Client Review

As part of our ongoing relationship and collaboration with Tameside Council, we scheduled an interim review, which provided an opportunity to present our Phase 1 ideas. Although the council's initial brief expected a single idea for reactivating the space, we decided to exceed their expectations, presenting three concept ideas and providing a range of approaches from the collaboration between postgraduate and undergraduate students.

Under the postgraduate tutelage, our undergraduates presented three somewhat feasible concepts desired in groups to Dan and Ayeesha (Tameside Council Project Leads). This not only invited feedback and comments to enhance our work but also provided an opportunity for each group to introduce their initial ideas for a wider vision scheme, as we intend to go beyond their initial brief and explore future development opportunities.

With overall positive feedback, minimal changes are required. We are urged to consider the cost of these schemes to enhance the feasibility during the handover of our designs once the action weeks have finished. However, now we can move on to more exciting plans for the space in Phase 2 of Chadwick Dam Unlocked - The Wider Vision!

Posted 22 May 2025 14:38

Laura-Elena P

Day 8- 21.05.25- Interactive Elements Finalisation

On Day 8, we completed the interactive elements of our project, bringing together the laser-cut and cast pieces into a fully playable form. With the physical components ready, we turned our attention to creating a clear and engaging pamphlet of rules and instructions. This guide explains how to play the game and highlights the architectural heritage behind each puzzle piece. Our aim is to make the experience enjoyable and educational for all players. Finishing these materials feels like a big step forward, and we’re excited to soon share the game with others and gather their feedback.

Written by Laura Popa

Posted 22 May 2025 13:50

Group 07 / TYLDESLEY SPARK

Taras M

Day 8 roundup

Final preparations before our client presentation on Day 9! We are polishing up the drawings and visualisations ready to discuss our proposals with the client.

Day 9…

The culmination of our work across the preparation and action weeks: the client presentation! We are excited to show the client how we have responded to the brief, and are looking forward to getting their feedback on our proposals.

Posted 22 May 2025 13:26

Group 23 / THRIVE GARDEN

Eirini T

DAY 9 - TASK 9 + TASK 10
3D Visuals + Report

Today was primarily dedicated to the finalisation of key visual materials and the refinement of our publication in preparation for tomorrow’s presentation. Significant progress was made on the creation of 3D visuals, which now effectively capture the core design concepts and intended user experience. These graphics will serve as a central component of our visual communication strategy during the presentation.

Simultaneously, the publication was refined to clearly articulate our design rationale, development process, and proposed outcomes, ensuring alignment with both the client’s expectations and our professional standards.

We also initiated contact with the client to confirm the meeting schedule. They responded with enthusiasm and expressed strong anticipation to view the final results of our work. This positive response has further motivated us to ensure that tomorrow’s presentation is not only well-prepared but also engaging and conclusive.

Overall, the day was productive and strategically focused on delivering a high-quality outcome for client review.

Posted 22 May 2025 13:25

Group 04 / RESCUE HUB

Yuanhao L

Action Week: Day 9

Today we are about to start the final step of the plan deepening. Our first group of renderings are already in the process of refinement. Our other groups are also doing the final physical model in B15. Today we will complete the first draft of the publication book, and then make some revisions. I am looking forward to everyone's final outputs.

Posted 22 May 2025 13:15

Group 35 / UNDER THE POET'S TREE

Lai Ying L

A scroll through the group's work in progress!

We are building up on some nice drawings and graphics for our final designs.

Posted 22 May 2025 13:13

Qiuyi W

21/05/25 |Starting to see the Finish Line

The day started as a continuation of the yesterday’s activities, with a new set of students keen on joining in the workshop. It’s nice to see so many of the students keen to physically build the model, and gain the skills that will help them through their architectural futures!

The work in B.15 for today looked at finally constructing the tree model, and refining the look of the cubes. The group debated what finish we would like to see for both the tree and the boxes. The group consensus from this was that we liked the look of the natural wood finishes, and it played into the hands of the nature them of the project. It was good to see the Undergraduate students deciding what they would like to see out of the project.
Those working in the classroom carried on with the tasks from yesterday; the user manuals are coming along nicely. These smaller scale construction guides can help inform them what they may need in future projects.

By the afternoon the model was complete, those working in the workshop had brought it back to the classroom, and it was lovely to see the sum of parts put together. Putting the furniture into the context model was nice, and seeing the miniature zines alongside them started to pull the project together. Seeing the model gave the whole group a boost, all the hard work over the past week and a half was coming together!

For tomorrow, we think it’ll be nice to start adding some more smaller details that really show that this space is the Poetry Library. Finishing the user manual will be the next major step in the process of handing over the work to the Poetry Library!

Posted 22 May 2025 11:44

Group 33 / SKATE X ALSAGER

Peiqing L

DAY 8:
We finalised the scale and structure of the Stoke-on-Trent pavilion and began constructing the 1:20 model using real materials. Meanwhile, other students worked on drawing the 1:20 section and elevation. A highly productive day!

Posted 22 May 2025 11:07

Group 05 / BOWLS TO BLOOMS

Eleanor VB

Day 8!

We had a great day meeting with Jack from Donald Insall who are our heritage consultants on this project! In the morning, we prepared our presentations for the informal review, scanning in sketches to show our process and work-in-progress designs to evidence the development of these initial concepts, from jellyfish to Scandinavian-inspired pontoons. This illustrates the array and variety of designs and the different scales of ambition these present for the client to consider.

After lunch, we walked over as a group to their Manchester office in the Northern Quarter. Some of the feedback we received in the meeting was to diagram our ideas more to show the flexibility of the spaces, which is key to the brief. Jack was also keen to see the human activity in plan and section to show the different types of uses that the designs afford.

This visit was a great opportunity for the undergraduates to present in a professional setting and ask any questions, both project-wise and career-wise! We’re looking forward to implementing this feedback and finalising our designs over the last two days.

Posted 22 May 2025 11:00

Jonatan M

Day 8 Intensive Week - Build Top Half
We started the day building up the bottom halves of the planters we had built yesterday. The first job was to screw the planks onto the bases to create the 'false bottoms' to hold the soil. We used all the drills available and managed this quickly, so once we had done this we were able to lift the corners of each planter and place them onto the paving slabs we had chiseled into size in the morning, to raise the wood of the ground and prevent them from rotting. We then moved on to building the top halves, repeating the steps from yesterday for the bottom halves and lifting them onto the planks. The final step of the day was to add the waterproof membrane and drains to the center of each false bottom to prevent water from pooling within the membrane. By the end of the day, we had finished all 8 planters and made the bases of the benches, ready to fill the planters tomorrow and make the top of the benches!

Posted 22 May 2025 10:52

Ariana MJ

DAY 6

The day began with a lesson on AI, where we introduced students to tools that could support the development of their initial design ideas. Using their own hand-drawn sketches and photographs of handmade models, students learned how to generate visual outputs that helped them explore early concepts related to arts and culture, health and well-being, and heritage. These AI-generated visuals encouraged students to reflect on their ideas, test variations, and consider the relationships between form, space, and materials. The process worked alongside traditional methods, offering new ways of thinking and storytelling that will continue to be developed by hand.

After this, students moved into the model-making phase, building on their research and site work from earlier in the week. This part of the day focused on turning abstract ideas into physical models to better understand spatial relationships and structure. Using available drawings and site information, students carefully studied the material before cutting and assembling their models. A 1:100 printed site plan was used as the base for the site model, while the church was represented using foam board and wooden sticks to convey its overall form and key features.

Throughout the day, students worked collaboratively in teams, sharing tasks and supporting one another. Despite limited materials and time, they remained organised and adaptable. The day helped deepen their understanding of the site and its architecture, while also strengthening their spatial thinking, teamwork, and both physical and digital making skills.

Posted 22 May 2025 10:48

Group 03 / BRICK BY BRICK

Day 8:

With the final presentation insight, the students spent the day making final adjustments to their work. Amazing progress from the physical model team, having finished the site model, the remaining digital group have been working hard, preparing final drawings, renders, and construction diagrams for Friday!!!

The students are very excited to show their final design to Sale High School!!!!!

Posted 22 May 2025 10:26

Group 28 / TEA AND TALES

Xiang L

Day 8
Continuous Output!!

Today, we continued producing our technical drawings and some rendered images. Throughout this process, we engaged in ongoing discussions—not only about the design itself but also about how to create high-quality renderings. We have learned a lot along the way. Meanwhile, the final portfolio and project outcomes are also steadily progressing.

To be continued!

Posted 21 May 2025 20:34

Chia-Yu L

05.21 _ FROM IMAGINATION TO REALISATION

Following two exciting days of workshops with the children at Oswald Road Primary School, we’re now transitioning from concept to reality—taking the imaginative ideas shared by the children and developing them into practical, feasible architectural proposals.

Building on the format from last Friday, the team once again split into three groups, each focusing on a different aspect of the nursery building.

Group 1 focused on spatial planning. Using their design from last Friday as a base, they incorporated key ideas from the children while also referencing the approved collaborator’s plan. The result is a unified, finalised layout. One recurring theme from the children was the desire for a space where opposites could coexist—quiet and loud, active and calm. Interpreting this architecturally, the group designed a central multi-purpose space surrounded by supporting programme areas. This flexible core allows for a wide range of activities: reading, playing, and, amusingly, even swimming—highlighting the children’s bold creativity and sense of fun.

Group 2 continued developing the canopy design. One child’s drawing, inspired by Elmer the Patchwork Elephant, became a key design driver. The team embraced this idea, exploring a colourful, modular canopy that balances playfulness with function. Site analysis informed the choice of materials—some canopy panels are transparent to allow natural light through, while others are opaque for shading. Colour was not only used for aesthetic reference but also to create a relaxing and playful atmosphere suited to a nursery setting. Using Rhino and Grasshopper (with support from one of the MArch students), the team explored computational design to determine the most effective placement of each module.

Group 3 took charge of the façade, drawing on the children’s playful suggestions, such as swings and interactive elements. The group dissected these ideas and reinterpreted them through an architectural lens. One key outcome was the transformation of a swing into a rain chain feature—adding movement and tactility to the building while celebrating the spirit of play. After a series of iterations, the team arrived at a dynamic façade design incorporating hexagonal panels inspired by the children's references to football and interactivity.

Tomorrow, we’ll bring all three design strands together through a digital model and photomontages—combining our architectural insight with the joyful creativity of the children to form a holistic, community-led proposal.

Posted 21 May 2025 19:49

Group 07 / TYLDESLEY SPARK

Taras M

Days 6 & 7 roundup

To start off action week 2 we took the two key concepts presented at the end of last week and iterated further. Splitting into groups, each began to develop more realistic versions of their concepts, whilst a separate group took on the task of drawing up potential internal floor layouts for the main building.

Next…

Continuing to iterate the designs, progressing them towards high-standard visualisations for the client presentation on Day 9!

Posted 21 May 2025 19:44

Group 29 / FOREST SCHOOL

Yan Hei Ashlie H

Day 08: Finishing touches!

Our 1:50 physical model is almost complete! Nearly all the components of our final proposal have been assembled, and we added some color to key elements to reflect our vision of a fun, vibrant space for children. The final piece to be added is the mound at the corner of the site, which we've chosen to 3D print for more precision. There was a little mishap with the 3D printer today, but it's back on track and our model should be ready by tomorrow, we can't wait to see it in place!

While our physical models are nearing completion, our digital model is also progressing well. We're on track to begin rendering and visualizing the design tomorrow. Exciting day ahead as we pull everything together!

Posted 21 May 2025 19:28

Group 01 / HALF-TIME HUB

Teresa T

Day 8 - Almost there..

The final design is in its last few stages. The day started early with a team meeting on our tasks and way forward for the presentation on Friday. We divided ourselves into smaller groups and allocated work based on skillsets identified through various activities and discussions conducted last week. The day was occupied with making physical site model, 3-dimensional design proposal along with supporting drawings and visuals. The design is divided into 4 phases, which empathically caters to the needs and evolution of community, while giving utmost importance to the artworks and the greenery around. As the final design is evolving, the excitement is increasing. But one thing is for sure- the team is giving its best.

Posted 21 May 2025 19:01

Group 17 / MARKET STREET REFRESH

Yakeen A

Day 8!!
With our client presentation scheduled for tomorrow, today was dedicated to tying everything together. The team focused on finalising our design work, refining visuals, and ensuring that each element of our proposal communicates the concept clearly and cohesively. From detailed render edits to layout refinements, we’ve worked hard to present a polished and well-resolved outcome that reflects the effort we’ve put in over the past days.

Although heading to the B15 workshop wasn’t originally part of our action plan, we made a spontaneous decision to build some physical models. We felt this would add an extra layer of clarity and impact to our presentation. It’s been a busy day, and we’re looking forward to sharing our work and gathering feedback tomorrow!

Posted 21 May 2025 18:07

Group 18 / THE CANOPY COLLECTIVE

Frances R

Day 8:
Action day! We’ve spent a few days refining the design, today was about representing the final proposal. Some of us went to the model making workshop and some to the computer, and we came together to collate the presentation. We’re really looking forward to presenting to the collaborator and community tomorrow- we hope they like it!

Posted 21 May 2025 17:22

Group 11 / AGECROFT ANEW

Rumingyue R

Day 8

On the eighth day, we worked more in detail on designing the interior of the chapel. Not just the layout of the space itself, but the integration of the new space into the overall interior of the chapel. Based on the original coffee shop, we improved the size of the space to make the layout more flexible and to be used as more than just a coffee shop.

Posted 21 May 2025 17:12

Group 27 / SENSESCAPE

Yuran W

Day 8 – May 21: Final Presentation to our Collaborators

Today was a successful conclusion of communicating our SenseScape design journey. All members worked together to complete the final work by unifying the style and color of all outputs, and applying this to our physical model simultaneously as well as the presentation for the clients.

In the afternoon, we showed the final design to Hannah and Wendy (collaborators). Every member participated in it and confidently presented their own parts. The atmosphere on the scene was relaxed and full of a sense of accomplishment. In the end, our results were unanimously recognised and was highly praised by them.

WHO ONLY HAD POSITIVE COMMENTS!

It's high time to finish our booklet : D

Posted 21 May 2025 16:40

Group 39 / PLASTIC SHED

Sze Yik L

May 21st

A pleasant surprise today—we discovered that our volunteer work was featured by Stockport Council! We're truly grateful for the recognition and hope our efforts continue to make a positive impact and contribute meaningfully to the community.

Posted 21 May 2025 16:24

Group 09 / WINDOW INTO LINDOW

Jiayu L

Day 8 - Conversation Day
Today is an exciting day! Our collaborators came and we shared with them the results and process of the window to lindow project and we had a great conversation! Then in the afternoon, we continued to move forward with the publication documents.

Posted 21 May 2025 16:21

Group 39 / PLASTIC SHED

Sze Yik L

May 21st

Today, we have test and explore another way to make the furniture prototype. We used laser cut machine to cut out the shape of our table and chsir set from a piece of plastic sheet to build a scale model of it. We are glad that it went great and we can start to assemble the pieces together to form the chair and table.

Posted 21 May 2025 16:17

Group 37 / ECO CHURCH

Ruizi Z

DAY 8 – Focused and Ongoing
As the submission deadline approaches, Day 8 was all about focus, coordination, and collective momentum.

Ongoing Production
All team members remained actively involved in content creation. While some focused on polishing drawings and diagrams, others worked on finalising spreads for the publication.

Internal Reviews
Throughout the day, we held mini check-ins to review progress and give each other feedback. This helped identify gaps, clarify intentions, and strengthen the overall cohesion of our proposal.

Posted 21 May 2025 15:33

Group 10 / REIMAGINGING WATERBARN CHAPEL

Eleanor Somerset W

We have been working on perspective sketches of the community marketplace and garden, and design iterations of the third-floor social housing addition.

Posted 21 May 2025 15:20

Group 10 / REIMAGINGING WATERBARN CHAPEL

Eleanor Somerset W

Our group is finalizing our design concept and preparing detailed sketches, collages, plans, elevations, renderings, and a site model to show Valley Heritage this Friday!

Posted 21 May 2025 15:19

Group 36 / ECOHUB HOUSE

Ozgenur S

Day 8:

Today we tried to finalize our EcoHub room design and discuss about it.
Also designed the booklet pages.
And we took the photos of our physical model.

Posted 21 May 2025 15:13

Group 23 / THRIVE GARDEN

Eirini T

DAY 8
Final Layout Plan

Following our group discussion about the challenges we’ve encountered, this is our updated final plan. We've made key adjustments based on what wasn’t working and re-focused the design to ensure it’s both practical and true to our original vision.

Posted 21 May 2025 15:04

Group 06 / PLAYSCAPE

Ellesse L

The Final Push: Designs, Details, and some Chocolate!
21/05/2025

Today, all the final pieces were pulled together for the project, ensuring everything was ready for our next session, presenting to the collaborator/client. Final design decisions were made, plans and elevations were finalised and photoshopped, and renderings for both the interior and exterior were produced. Everyone had a role, and every detail mattered.

Desks were cluttered with laptops, coffee cups/juices, and chocolate wrappers — the unofficial fuel of the day. Motivation came in many forms: the excitement of seeing ideas come to life, the satisfaction of overcoming design challenges together, and the occasional sugar rush courtesy of chocolate.

We’ll walk away from this project with more than just a portfolio of finalised drawings and visuals. We’re taking with us a shared sense of accomplishment, and a deeper appreciation for what can happen when creative minds come together (with plenty of sweet treats along the way).

Posted 21 May 2025 14:57

Beacon Views in Context + Tutorial on CAD Mapper + Enscape

The team working on the 3D Rhino model of the beacon were shown how to download context using the free software CAD Mapper. We then demonstrated to the BA students how to use Sketch View in Enscape to produce presentation-worthy images from their digital site models.

Posted 21 May 2025 14:15

Final Physical Model of Beacon

To finalise our ideas around the beacon, a final physical model was made at a scale of 1:20. Although we had already produced three other physical models, we had observed over the last few days that our group of BA1

Posted 21 May 2025 14:14

Materials and construction research and development

After completing the beacon, a small team began investigating the construction process and the materials that would be used for the beacon.

Posted 21 May 2025 14:13

Local Motif Making and placing

To stay connected to the local symbolism of the area, six motifs were designed with assistance from What if?, focusing on local symbols. These were then mocked up in plan view to explore how the streetscape outside the site could be reclaimed and reimagined as a symbol for the tri.

Posted 21 May 2025 14:04

Orthographic Drawings for Planter

A set of measured orthographic drawings for the planter were created so that collaborators can produce them after the project has concluded.

Posted 21 May 2025 14:02

Group Design Session on Beacon

Is the iterating process ever-ending? This session focused on resolving the beacon, and we discovered there was always something to refine. But I suppose that’s the beauty of designing something so engaging, fun, and realistic!

Posted 21 May 2025 13:58

Scissor Gate

One of the interventions specified by What if? was for a removable gate to prevent children from leaving the play space, which could also be moved out of the way when cars were coming in and out. In order to ‘jazzy it up’, a set of different colour schemes were created, along with a 1:20 scale model.

Posted 21 May 2025 13:57

Modelling the Beacon in Rhino + Rhino Tutorial Session

Once we reached a solid position, we shifted our focus to physically understanding the beacon, exploring how we could refine it further by engaging with it as a digital model.

Posted 21 May 2025 13:56

Group 23 / THRIVE GARDEN

Eirini T

DAY 8

We're focused on creating the 3D model, aiming for as much precision as possible. At the same time, the publication is coming together and the blog is being regularly updated. The 3D model-making is taking longer than expected, but that's part of the process we're adapting as we go and still on track to finish everything on time.

Posted 21 May 2025 12:54

Group 22 / URBAN EDEN

Bingqing X

Action week-day 7
From today, our group split into two parts, half of us went to B12 to start modelling and half of the members stayed in the classroom to start the layout and visual design of the brochure.

Posted 21 May 2025 12:38

Group 22 / URBAN EDEN

Bingqing X

Action week-Day 6
On Monday of the second week of action week, all the group members got together to complete the preparation work for the model making. Some people did the rendering drawings, some people did the master plan, and then we all discussed the materials and dimensions that we need to use for the model making.

Posted 21 May 2025 12:36

Group 21 / THE SHED AT THE LANDING

Xinran Z

DAY 5

On Day 5, students transitioned into the model-making phase, building upon their previous research and site observations from the first four days. This stage aimed to translate abstract design ideas into physical form, allowing students to gain a deeper understanding of spatial construction through hands-on making. Based on the available drawings and site information, students reviewed and analysed the material before starting to cut and assemble components. A 1:100 printed site plan was used as the base for constructing the site model, while the church model was created using foam boards and wooden sticks to represent its massing and structural characteristics.

Meanwhile, another group of students focused on digital modelling. They developed three-dimensional models based on their designs, making multiple refinements to proportions and details, and generated files suitable for 3D printing. This process not only improved their digital skills but also enabled them to produce more accurate and presentable outputs for later stages of the project.

Throughout the day, students worked in multiple teams, coordinating with one another to advance the project. Despite limited materials and time constraints, they communicated effectively, divided tasks efficiently, and supported each other—demonstrating strong teamwork and adaptability. The day’s activities not only gave students a more tangible grasp of the site and building, but also enhanced their skills in physical and digital modelling, spatial reasoning, and collaborative working.

Posted 21 May 2025 12:18

Group 04 / RESCUE HUB

Yuanhao L

Action Week: Day 8

The plan has been basically finalized. After drawing the basic technical drawings, we have gone to the B15 model room to make a physical model today. So far, everything is going well, and everyone has worked hard.

Posted 21 May 2025 12:14

Group 19 / WILD BROOK

Wenchi Y

Day 7
First of all, we conducted research on the water storage tank, studied some cases, and applied some of them to our site to achieve efficient rainwater collection.
Secondly, we held a brainstorming session to discuss the collection and utilization of water resources on the site and presented it through the masterplan.
After that, we improved the framework produced on Monday, adding more pictures and text. We are a little closer to fully completing this task.

Posted 21 May 2025 12:05

Zofia M

Action Weeks: Day 7

Today, we focused on further refining the practical aspects of our shed, particularly regarding water collection and the foundations of the shed's structure. We spent time collectively thinking through and sketching ideas for how the shed could be elevated—both to ensure structural independence and to protect it from moisture. These conversations were particularly relevant for landscape students, helping us to think more deeply about water collection solutions, as well as bringing in experiences from practice around the world regarding the structure.

Posted 21 May 2025 12:02

Caoimhe S

DAY 5

Guinness Day!!! Our lovely little emotional support puppy Guinness came to offer some well needed hugs and kisses after a long week of working hard. She offered some critics on our models and told us we are doing fantastic and wants a dedicated dog treat section at INCE for when she visits.

Posted 21 May 2025 11:53

[Day 8] Design Development @Cheadle site

Today at Cheadle, we focused on creating perspectives and refining the elevations, helping us see the design in 3D and get a clearer sense of how the spaces will feel in real life. We’re starting to visualize the site from all angles, and it’s exciting to see everything begin to put together.

Posted 21 May 2025 11:42

[Day 8] Design Development @Romiley site

We shifted into digital modeling and rendering. The team worked on building the model and generating some initial renderings to get a better sense of scale, texture, and how the building will feel in its environment. These renderings help us fine-tune proportions, materials, and even how the light will hit different surfaces. We’re not just talking about it anymore, we’re seeing it!

Posted 21 May 2025 11:34

[Day 7] Design Development @Cheadle site

We explored the materiality for Cheadle, and it’s amazing how much it changed the feel of the design. We played around with different textures, colors, and finishes—looking at how materials can respond to the site, the light, and the people who’ll use the space. Things are really starting to come to life now!

Posted 21 May 2025 11:28

Caoimhe S

DAY 4/5

We began our day with students finalising the physical models they had started on Day 4. There was clear progress across the group, with a range of exciting and expressive models beginning to take shape.

Following this, the focus shifted to preparing digital models for 3D printing. The Chapels Team was selected for this task due to their strong 3D modelling skillset. They were tasked with producing detailed Revit and Rhino models of the chapels, which would be used to create high-quality 3D prints. With guidance and tutorials from our Masters students, the team successfully finalised the digital models and exported them into slicing software in preparation for printing.

The 3D prints were scheduled for a total print time of approximately 30 hours over the weekend, ensuring they would be completed in time for the upcoming site visit. These prints are intended to be handed over to the clients to support future community engagement and consultation efforts.

Posted 21 May 2025 11:28

Caoimhe S

DAY 4

Day 4 began with an introduction to the significance of modelmaking, particularly in the context of public consultation. We led a discussion on public engagement and inclusivity, emphasising how physical models play a crucial role in communicating proposals—especially for individuals with visual impairments. We highlighted that accessible, tangible models can help ensure all voices are heard during consultations, making the process more inclusive and equitable.

We also stressed the value of modelmaking when working with clients and stakeholders. Physical models serve as a bridge of understanding between designers and non-designers, making abstract ideas more tangible and facilitating clearer communication.

Following the lecture, students were introduced to the basics of 3D printing and the processes involved in producing digital models. Something they will look into over the following days.

The remainder of the day was dedicated to a hands-on task: creating physical models of the chapels at various scales. These models were to be used during the upcoming site visit and public engagement session. Students were encouraged to incorporate textures and architectural details that reflect the current state of the chapels, promoting authentic representation and expression.

Posted 21 May 2025 11:20

Day 7:

The garden continues to grow!!

With the students separated into physical and digital groups, the students have been hard at work continuing the final design, ensuring that the outputs set will be ready to present to Sale High School this Friday!

Posted 21 May 2025 10:53

Day 6:

The second week of MSA Live continues!!!!

After a well-deserved weekend break! The students began this week finalising their final design. With a final design, which had been agreed on by all students, the students were divided into groups to help create final images, models, and diagrams.

The final model is in progress and is already looking great!!

In the afternoon, we ran a D5 rendering software tutorial teaching the students a new software which they can develop and expand upon throughout their studies.

Posted 21 May 2025 10:53

Day 5:

As the first week of MSA Live comes to an end. We spent this day running Rhino tutorials, helping develop the student's software skills. This interactive tutorial helped show the students how to 3D model in a complex software!!!

Posted 21 May 2025 10:53

Day 4:

Garden of Tranquillity continues to grow!!!!

Today, the students worked together in groups, presenting their proposals. A lot of amazing ideas were thrown about, but now it’s time to finalise these ideas into a final proposal!!

Excellent work from the students taking part!!!

Posted 21 May 2025 10:52

Day 3:

Garden of Tranquillity continues its design process by brainstorming and sketching in the morning to visualise ideas and make strong decisions on environmental strategies, safety, human-centric design and incorporating education into the garden space.

The afternoon tasks consisted of the students collaborating and sharing their ideas with consideration of the morning activities!!!!

Posted 21 May 2025 10:52