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Group 40 / GARDEN OF TRANQUILITY
Jacob N
Day 1:

Garden of Tranquillity MSA Live group is a go!

After a brief introduction, getting to know all the students on board. We started the day by introducing the students to the brief and showing images of the site.

The morning tasks involved each student conducting their own site analysis, focusing on important aspects to help get a better understanding of the site.

The afternoon tasks involved creating 3 features for the students to focus on: a mood board of their ideas, a materiality study, and a precedent study. The day was finished with each student presenting their work in front of the group.
Posted 21 May 2025 10:50
Group 05 / BOWLS TO BLOOMS
Nicole D
Day 7 Intensive Week - Building
After another early delivery from Travis Perkins, we had the rest of the materials we needed ready to build the planters. We began the day by laying the sleepers from yesterday into position of the plan we had designed last week, to get the seal of approval from Anna the reverend. After a couple of tweaks she was happy and we could begin building the planters in place. We had three drills to use, so split into four groups, with one group cutting the wood delivered in the morning. The drilling groups attached the 50x50 posts to the inner corners of the sleepers and then added large sleeper screws to the outside corners to secure them. By the end of the day the cutting group had worked through all of the wood delivered in the morning, and the drilling group had connected the first two layers of sleepers for the 8 planters.
Posted 21 May 2025 10:49
Group 40 / GARDEN OF TRANQUILITY
Jacob N
To better understand what the school students would like, we ran an activity workshop specifically designed to gather their ideas and suggestions. During the session, students were encouraged to share their thoughts openly, helping us gain insight into their interests and preferences. The feedback collected from this workshop will play a crucial role in the design process ensuring they are more aligned with what the students genuinely enjoy and value.
Posted 21 May 2025 10:49
Group 40 / GARDEN OF TRANQUILITY
Jacob N
Garden of Tranquillity

The space is located at the heart of Sale High School, making it a central and accessible area for all students. Its location presents a unique opportunity to create a space that truly reflects the needs and desires of the students, ensuring it becomes a valued part of their daily school experience.

Garden of Tranquillity is all about listening to the students' voices and allowing them to create their environment. By engaging with pupils via scheduled workshops to gather their ideas, we aim to design a space that promotes well-being, creativity and a sense of ownership. The transformation of the space will not only provide a peaceful retreat but also demonstrate the importance of student-led initiatives in improving their school community.

As part of this project, we will be creating physical and digital models, renders, and detailed drawings to bring the students’ ideas to life. These designs will help shape the final transformation of the space, ensuring that it truly reflects the needs and desires of the students. If you are interested in physical model-making, digital modelling, and detailed drawings and want to be part of making a real change, this is a perfect opportunity to get involved. By joining this group, you will have the chance to contribute your ideas, develop new skills, and play a key role in creating a space that benefits a whole school community. If you want to help shape the future of this space, we’d love for you to be part of this project!
Posted 21 May 2025 10:45
Group 24 / VERDE VISION
Chung May Y
[Day 7] Design Development @Romiley site

Today was all about turning the form we’ve developed into actual drawings. After a lot of time spent refining the overall concept, it was great to start sketching out the building’s elevations based on that structure.

We’re getting into the details now. It’s fun to see everything come together in these drawings, and it’s definitely getting us excited about the next steps.
Posted 21 May 2025 10:45
Group 05 / BOWLS TO BLOOMS
Nicole D
Day 6 Intensive Week - Cutting
Thanks to a bright and early delivery of sleepers from Monton Fencing Company, we were able to start building the raised planters. As we had used our 3D model to calculate the number of each piece of wood needed last week, we were able to work efficiently in smaller groups to cut them to the sizes needed: one group measuring and marking, two people on circle saws, the rest carrying the freshly cut sleepers from the church over the wall to the bowling green. It was a busy day and hard work, but we managed to finish the cutting and have all the pieces ready to go for tomorrow's building!
Posted 21 May 2025 10:22
Group 35 / UNDER THE POET'S TREE
Qiuyi W
20/05/25 |Continuing the Model and Starting the Construction Manuals

With the poster and context model well underway, today’s focus shifted to two new tasks: modelling the 1:5 cubes and developing the construction manuals.

A new group had the opportunity to the work in B15 this morning, laser-cutting and assembling the modular cubes. Meanwhile the rest of the team started planning the tree conctruction manual. They began by storyboarding each step, using an IKEA maual as a reference. This was then translated into an InDesign document, combing digital models with some work in Illustrator to clearly communicate each step.

In the afternoon, some of the group had a go at creating miniature zines that would accompany the model and help to animate the space. This was a fun, hands-on activity that offered a change of pace from the technical drawing and model making.

The physical model is really starting to take shape now and the construction manuals are coming together well. The team has been working really hard and it’s starting to pay off!
Posted 21 May 2025 09:52
Group 03 / BRICK BY BRICK
Rebecca G
05.20_WORKSHOP DAY 2 CLASS 4A MODEL MAKING SESSION

The afternoon session consisted of creating 3D models of the crazy ideas the children came up with earlier in the day. The children really showed their personalities through the model making and I feel like the students really encouraged this. So, we managed to create 5 completely different models in the end, including a cat mansion, a monster eating the building, lots of pools and football fields, stargazing areas and colourful murals and stained glass. The model making is where the children really let loose and created designs completely out of the box. Whether we were expecting this, I’m not sure, but we were all incredibly impressed with what the children came up with. I’m really hoping that the students are able to take the colour and fun that the children put into their models and plans into a more feasible designs later in the week that we can present to the appointed architect.

I think the workshop was a great learning opportunity for everyone in the classroom from all different points of view. I’m hoping that the MSA students have learnt to let loose a bit and get some creative ideas flowing near the start of a project and think more about what a project provides to a client before getting too bogged down in too much detail. And I hope that the children at the school had a lot of fun and learned something about architecture along the way.

I want to also say a big well done to the other students in my room that were helping the children. They interacted great with the children and brought their own approaches to the group that helped create the variety of outcomes. I feel like they were thrown into the deep end with this workshop but everyone did amazingly and they should be proud of how they all did today.
Posted 21 May 2025 00:55
Group 32 / UPSTAIRS @ 3B
Finley H
Our modelling session has come to an end! We’ve finally brought our proposal to life with 8 boards, each representing a room within 3B Systems. The boards are themed around entertainment, music, storage, and presentation.

Their uniqueness and modularity reflect our collective vision and the initial impressions we developed together with the BAs.

We’re really proud of the progress we’ve made so far, and now, we’re locked in, with tunnel vision on getting our publication submission ready!
Posted 20 May 2025 23:36
Group 03 / BRICK BY BRICK
Rebecca G
05.20_WORKSHOP DAY 2 CLASS 4A PLAN DRAWING SESSION

Today was the final workshop day at Oswald Road and the culmination of our preparation work. Our work today was all in the classroom, meaning that a master’s student from each group had to teach a class.

For class 4A, the responsibility fell onto me. For being not completely prepared for this undertaking, I think it went rather well. It’s been a long time since I’ve had to talk to a room full of children like that, but they were all really attentive and receptive to the PowerPoint. I have to say that the PowerPoint was great so props to the team that pulled it together - it was easy for me to follow and for the children to understand what we were working through.

The morning session consisted of teaching the children some more architectural skills. The children picked up and understood the concept of plans, sections and elevations through drawing their breakfast and a piece of fruit amazingly and this helped immensely with the coming tasks.

I didn’t really know what we were expecting when we gave the children the site plans, but what they came up with was creative and imaginative and they took the conversations over themselves once they were started. They talked about what they wanted to include and discussed between themselves how they would put them into the spaces we had, and the students helped out with what the children were thinking. I think this process helped us to realise just how much we have learned through our studies so far that we subconsciously think about when designing when we had to try to pass on some of this information to the children as they were drawing. In turn, the children have reminded us of the creative freedom we once had back then and how that can help us create more imaginative designs ourselves, and I think we were all thinking of ways that we could try to make some of their crazy designs more into reality throughout the process, making it an invaluable experience for all of us.
Posted 20 May 2025 23:32
Group 01 / HALF-TIME HUB
Naba Arshad U
Development in 3D,

What we see here is a sneak-peak of the final 3-dimensional model. As a team, it is our strong belief that design has to be a process that explores every angle of the project. An empathic approach is very important for us to understand challenges, requirements and expectations. A holistic vision is achieved in this way, and the same process has helped us reach the final phase of the project.

We cannot wait to reveal the designs to our collaborators!
Posted 20 May 2025 22:47
Group 01 / HALF-TIME HUB
Naba Arshad U
Day 7

Final Design development and VR Prep.

Continuing on the design development from Monday, today was dedicated to making the idea concrete. So far, we have a gist of what the team has been developing but one also has to experience it. So here comes the exciting bit to an already exciting project- virtual reality. The progress of the project was tested out on the equipments so that we are able to give our collaborators the experience that we envisioned.

Needless to say, the speed is picking up!
Posted 20 May 2025 22:46
Group 02 / PORTLAND THINKSPACE
Junfan Z
Day 7: Further Design Development and Illustrator Workshop

Today was a productive day focused on advancing our design work. In the morning, a specific solution was proposed to address the lighting issues. Additionally, the wall of the workshop space was reimagined with a creative concept inspired by the iconic canal beside the Portland Museum. We also have two design schemes for modular furniture now.

In the afternoon, we started to try to make some visuals. Aillustrator—a widely used and powerful software among architecture students—was the obvious choice. As a lot of students had never used it yet, an Aillustrator workshop was held, covering essential skills such as converting models into clear line drawings, organising layers, and adjusting line weights and colours.

Pictured: Illustrator Workshop in action!
Posted 20 May 2025 22:22
Group 27 / SENSESCAPE
Yuran W
Day 7 – May 20: Continuing Design Outputs

Today we continued to focus on improving the design output. We worked on the original 2D drawings, 3D models and conceptual diagrams. These images demonstrated the development in the past few days and how to cleverly integrate sensory activities into a restrictive space.

At the same time, a small group were in the B15 model studio working on the physical model.

This space is gradually becoming a reality, it's so exciting to see our progression over the last few days!
Posted 20 May 2025 20:41
Group 26 / THE HULME BLUEPRINT
Alliah M N
This afternoon saw slightly lower numbers than this morning, however our individual tutorials continued. Our Vray team were busy creating grass scatters, figuring out great ways to combine guests in order to create diverse context. Similarly, our Enscape team were busy using photoshop, polishing up renders, ready for feedback. Due to the slower morning, this afternoon did lack some energy, however student output was on track for our final presentations.
Posted 20 May 2025 20:13
Group 17 / MARKET STREET REFRESH
Nikhil N
Day 7

The day was intense but productive, as it was dedicated to finalising our concepts into a comprehensive masterplan and beginning the detailed design development phase. After several iterations and contributions from the team, we successfully settled on the layout.

Some of us shifted focus to the architectural elements within the proposal—such as benches and bike stands—exploring their construction, level of detail, and overall form. After a few sketches and collaborative discussions, we chose designs that aligned well with the overall scheme. Meanwhile, others began assembling the final presentation file by compiling all relevant materials.

By the end of the day, our 3D model and renderings—developed using SketchUp, Lumion, and Photoshop—were nearly complete for key areas in the plan and ready to be integrated into the presentation. Overall, the team performed exceptionally well today!
Posted 20 May 2025 19:23
Group 29 / FOREST SCHOOL
Yan Hei Ashlie H
Day 07: Physical model making continues

Today was all about continuing work on our 1:50 physical model. With most of the key elements now taking shape, we’re more than halfway through the build!

Despite the small scale, the team focused on adding as much detail as possible to communicate our design vision, spot the little ducks in the pond! It’s exciting to see the project come to life in physical form!

Posted 20 May 2025 18:15
Group 34 / COMMUNITY WAVES
Dulcie B
Day 7 (20/5) : Printing & Preparation

Following some final edits of our leaflet and poster designs, the Merch and Print teams prepared for printing, working out the best way to spend our budget. We bought paper and adhesives, and created 80 posters and 160 leaflets. We are so happy with how the work has come out!

The Video Team assisted where necessary and continued to edit the videos, making as much content as possible!

That afternoon, we had a full team meeting to review the prints and the students were briefed on the POA for tomorrow. We organised ourselves into groups of 2-3 to visit various locations across Manchester and discussed key sites to target. We discussed safety considerations and conversation points when chatting with the public. Finally, we shared the prints and adhesives evenly among the team, ready for tomorrow.

Posted 20 May 2025 17:46
Group 09 / WINDOW INTO LINDOW
Muye W
Day 7

Today, we have achieved many results, including improving the overall building trail Map, deepening the design of the Gateway and landscape nodes, and the results of the test materials. We start the production of the project web page. Meanwhile, we are also actively preparing for the presentation of the phased achievements to our partners tomorrow.
Posted 20 May 2025 17:08
Group 26 / THE HULME BLUEPRINT
Sophie J
This morning, we were a little bit low on numbers based on pending undergraduate deadlines and illness. Unfortunately, despite our agreement for the collaborator to provide feedback by today, we received no information from them. As a result, we conducted 1 - 2 - 1 tutorials with the students to help develop their renders further. We struggled, missing some master's students, and therefore, we had to re-arrange, and some of the students had to use different computer setups and software to achieve their daily outputs.
Posted 20 May 2025 16:36
Group 25 / CURIOUS CREEK
Shreya D
20th May – Day 7 – Intensive Week:
Day 7 turned out to be one of the most productive days so far. With more clarity and insights gained from the site, our ideas began turning into action. As the submission deadline drew closer, the pressure was definitely building but so was the energy in the studio. Everyone focused on bringing together their work, refining concepts and drawings, and pushing the project forward. The atmosphere was filled with determination and collaboration, as we worked to finish what we had planned and deliver our best.
Posted 20 May 2025 16:19
Group 39 / PLASTIC SHED
Pengcheng Y
May 20th (afternoon)

In the afternoon, two groups showed off their product assembly manuals. These IKEA-style guides could really help Caitlin reproduce the products more easily in the future. Our goal is to make our products both reproducible and high quality for the long run, and seeing these manuals come together is super encouraging!
Posted 20 May 2025 16:17
Group 06 / PLAYSCAPE
Ellesse L
A Productive Step Toward Our Final Design Proposal
20/05/2025

Today’s session proved to be one of our most productive yet. With clear objectives and strong collaboration, each group member took ownership of specific tasks—either working independently or teaming up to tackle shared goals. This approach allowed us to make significant progress on key elements of our final design proposal.

Throughout the session, we maintained a steady workflow, regularly checking in with one another to align our efforts and ensure cohesion across different components of the project. Whether it was refining visual concepts, developing written content, or organizing research findings, every contribution brought us closer to a well-rounded and thoughtfully constructed final design.

The energy and focus in the room were palpable, and it's clear that our group is becoming more confident and cohesive with each working session. We're excited to see how today’s work contributes to the final product—and even more eager to keep the momentum going.

Today’s a sweet reminder that it's not just about the work we do — it's about the people we do it with. To celebrate the wins, the progress, and just working as a great team, we’ve brought in a little treat... donuts!
Posted 20 May 2025 16:16
Group 16 / BRADFORD TAKEOVER
Laura-Elena P
Day 7- 19.05.25- Manufacturing

On Day 7, we dove deeper into developing the interactive elements of our project by exploring a variety of model-making techniques, with a particular focus on casting and laser cutting. These hands-on processes challenged us to advance both our digital and physical skill sets.

For the laser cutting component, we developed our abilities in computer-aided design (CAD), learning how to create precise digital files that translate into physical components. This required a solid understanding of digital fabrication workflows as well as the mechanics of the game.

The casting process, on the other hand, emphasized material knowledge, patience, and manual dexterity. We experimented with different moulds and casting materials, refining our techniques to achieve clean, accurate results. This process made us develop a deeper appreciation for the interplay between digital design and hands-on craftsmanship.

Written by Laura Popa
Posted 20 May 2025 16:14
Group 39 / PLASTIC SHED
Pengcheng Y
May 20th (morning)

Today in B15, work kept rolling, and another group is nearly done with their product models! The Master’s students are busy putting together store interior models so Caitlin can see exactly how these products will look in the space. Things are really coming together, and it’s exciting to see everything take shape!
Posted 20 May 2025 16:12
Group 25 / CURIOUS CREEK
Shreya D
Site visit with team 25:
The site visit, though slightly delayed, proved to be a crucial turning point for the project. Experiencing the site firsthand sparked a wave of new ideas and allowed us to better connect our concepts to the real context. Our discussions with the collaborators were especially insightful—they helped us understand their expectations more clearly and encouraged us to think deeper about our design approach. The visit added direction, focus, and renewed energy to our process moving forward.
Posted 20 May 2025 16:10
Group 33 / SKATE X ALSAGER
Peiqing L
DAY 7:
Today, the group has discussed on the details of the pavilion as the final design installation. While still developing and resolving the structure and material, students were split in 2 groups, producing drawings and sketches of the final design, and the other group making sketch model. The students also prepared the materials needed for 1:20 final model.
Posted 20 May 2025 15:53
Group 36 / ECOHUB HOUSE
Ozgenur S
Day 7:

We continued working on the physical model in B12, assembling its main parts and adding finer details to reflect our design intentions. For the digital model, we focused on finalizing the design details, paying close attention to material selections such as timber and glass, and also lighting elements to ensure they accurately represented the sustainable technologies. This parallel development helped us align both models and strengthen the overall coherence of our project.
Posted 20 May 2025 15:45
Group 14 / FLOAT
Eleanor VB
Day 7!

Today, we focused on finalising our sketch proposals and taking these into technical drawings and 3D designs on AutoCAD, Rhino and SketchUp. Seeing the proposals take shape is exciting, from organic jellyfish-inspired shapes to more function-led designs. This task is key in communicating our designs confidently in our catch-up with Donald Insall Associates tomorrow!

We look forward to presenting and getting feedback / support on our work-in-progress designs, with a heritage emphasis. This will help to progress our designs towards completion for the client presentation on Friday.
Posted 20 May 2025 15:45
Group 10 / REIMAGINGING WATERBARN CHAPEL
Eleanor Somerset W
Our design concept preserves the Chapel’s ruins as a monument to the past, allowing the existing graveyard and new community marketplace/garden to inhabit the Chapel. The back part of the Chapel, which used to be a Sunday school, would now serve as social housing. This strategy facilitates community engagement while maintaining a sense of privacy and ownership for residents living there.
Posted 20 May 2025 15:39
Group 10 / REIMAGINGING WATERBARN CHAPEL
Eleanor Somerset W
Today, our group continued to develop our design concepts. The BA1 and BA2 students have been working hard to refine and finalize proposals. The design strategy we are currently developing combines social housing and community spaces - reimagining the Chapel as a community marketplace and garden with private residential accommodations.
Posted 20 May 2025 15:38
Group 37 / ECO CHURCH
Ruizi Z
DAY 7 – From Research to Resolution
As we moved further into the production phase, Day 7 marked a deepening of both vision and detail.

Proposed Drawings
The team continued producing key drawings that represent the changes we’re proposing for the church.

Energy Efficiency Diagrams
These diagrams explored a range of energy-focused strategies, including the use of passive design principles, improvements to insulation and the building’s thermal envelope, enhanced natural ventilation and daylighting techniques, and the potential integration of renewable energy systems.
Posted 20 May 2025 15:31
Group 11 / AGECROFT ANEW
Rumingyue R
Day 7

On day 7, we created renderings with more detail based on the model. At the same time, we chose some perspectives that looked good for the effect. We used different software in rendering the model. Although it was a challenging process, we helped each other to make sure that the final renderings would meet our expectations.
Posted 20 May 2025 15:25
Group 04 / RESCUE HUB
Yuanhao L
Action Week: Day 7

The team started the facade design work, and we gave some suggestions on the selection of materials and colors. We also discussed the correct facade drawing specifications and exchanged some experiences. As for the design adjustment between the building form and functionality, we made adjustments here according to the needs of the owner. Everything is moving in a good direction.
Posted 20 May 2025 15:16
Group 28 / TEA AND TALES
Xiang L
Day 7
Under Development!!

Today, we officially began the development of the digital model and started to further refine our design within a three-dimensional space. The site has been divided into five sections, with each group responsible for the detailed design of their respective areas. At the same time, we have started to produce a colored plan and compile a material mood board that aligns with our design concept, in order to better define the style and material expression of the project.
Posted 20 May 2025 15:13
Group 21 / THE SHED AT THE LANDING
Zofia M
Site Location

Our site (The Landing) is located on the rooftop of the Merseyway Shopping Centre Car Park in Stockport.

“The Landing is an urban garden. Facilitating wellbeing, knowledge, and confidence within and beyond food and farming systems.”

https://www.thelandingcic.co.uk/

Posted 20 May 2025 15:06
Group 11 / AGECROFT ANEW
Rumingyue R
Day 6

On Day 6, we reflect on and make adjustments to our Day 5 presentation. The council gave us some suggestions, such as the structure of the interior needs to be more compatible with the new functions. Also, for our newly added coffee shop, we need to give a clearer positioning, harmonize the relationship between the coffee shop and the visitors, and show more clearly how the place attracts the visitors.
We are discussing strategies to improve not only the previous design, but also the subsequent models and renderings.
Posted 20 May 2025 14:56
Group 23 / THRIVE GARDEN
Eirini T
DAY 7
Final Collage

This final collage brings together all the initial ideas and concepts shared by the group on day one. Using it as a central reference point helped guide our design process, allowing us to stay focused while also visually capturing the project's aesthetic and core ideas in a single image.
Posted 20 May 2025 14:36
Group 23 / THRIVE GARDEN
Eirini T
DAY 7


Today has been all about back-and-forth discussions and constant re-evaluation. We’re taking a step back to reanalyse elements that aren’t working as planned, questioning our assumptions, and adjusting the design where needed. It’s a challenging process, but it’s helping us refine our ideas and make the project stronger. We're treating the design as something evolving, shaped by feedback, critical thinking, and the willingness to rethink what doesn’t quite fit.
Posted 20 May 2025 14:34
Group 04 / RESCUE HUB
Yuanhao L
Action Week: Day 6

Today, another team of ours also started to draw technical drawings (floor plan, elevation) in the computer room. Through constant running-in and cooperation with the team, everything went smoothly in the final drawing stage. We also told them some drawing specifications and related information, as well as how we should present our plan well to the Bolton staff.
Posted 20 May 2025 14:17
Group 15 / STREET AND A HALF
Merly SW
Day 6 - Development of Physical Prototypes

The BArch students where able to produce different interpretations for the project as live models, based off the initial ideas they had come up with during the action week one. The different approaches lead to the overall development of the St Helens, trying to use the potential of the site as a central hub for multifunction and attract more people to the place.
We were able to see their enthusiasm for the project as they actively worked towards the end of action week 2.
Posted 20 May 2025 14:13
Group 14 / FLOAT
Lai Ying L
Another look at our project brief ahead of our interim design presentations.

We are creating a set of drawings and visualisations that can effectively convey innovative and aesthetically pleasing proposals for a replacement floating structure. This project is intended to substantially aid in securing funding opportunities for the River and Canal Trust and to help promote the ongoing development of this initiative.

Outputs include plans, sections, elevations, and renders/ visualisations.


Posted 20 May 2025 13:56
Group 18 / THE CANOPY COLLECTIVE
Frances R
Day 7:
Today we worked on refining the proposal whilst keeping the site in mind. Choosing 'shelter', 'natural' and 'water catching' as 3 key terms to return back to during the design development, we pressed forward with the structural shape and materiality. We’ve also noticed more input and opinions from the undergraduate students throughout the action weeks which is really encouraging. Only one more day of development and collation before we present to the community, tomorrow will be the final push!
Posted 20 May 2025 13:23
Group 25 / CURIOUS CREEK
Shreya D
19th May – Day 6 – Intensive Week:
It was a fantastic start to Week 2! We began the day by gathering at Geoffrey Manton to go over the key points we needed to observe during our much-anticipated site visit to the school. Excitement filled the room as the entire team geared up to finally experience the site we had been exploring on paper.

As we travelled together, we shared stories, laughed, and bonded more as a group—making the experience not just insightful, but also personally memorable. The site visit, long awaited, was absolutely worth it. Meeting with collaborators on-site gave us valuable insights and a richer understanding of the space, helping us move forward with more clarity and confidence in our design direction.
Posted 20 May 2025 13:06
Group 15 / STREET AND A HALF
Merly SW
Day 6 - Developing physical Prototypes

Understanding the site much better made it possible for the students to take the proposals to the next step. The group collectively came together and discussed shared norms about community related activities and its representation on the design phase. Taking these to consideration made it easier to develop the model for the client.
The students made a common model of the site and proceeded to make individual proposals for their idea about the street and a half.
Stay tuned to see 3 amazing proposals for the project!!!

Posted 20 May 2025 13:05
Group 25 / CURIOUS CREEK
Shreya D
16th May - Day 5 – Intensive Week:
This Friday, we kept things a bit more laid-back. We got together in the first half of the day to catch up, share thoughts, and continue our discussions. It was a lighter session, but still productive as we wrapped up the week with clarity on our next steps and a stronger sense of direction moving forward.
Posted 20 May 2025 12:45
Group 38 / CORE COMMUNITY ENERGY PROJECT
Yap ZH
Day 7: Second Day of the Intense Week

The mood's definitely picked up again, everyone’s heads down and cracking on with their tasks. The BA students are mainly focused on developing active and passive systems for their assigned venues. It’s a great experience for them, and they’ll probably fly through it when it comes to next year’s design projects!

Roy (MArch) has been a legend with the 3D modelling, he’s clearly the Rhino wizard of the group. It’s a big help, especially with all the intricate detailing at Victoria Baths, which is a bit more ornate compared to Dandelion.

Zhi (MArch) and I took on the cover page design, going the hand-drawn route, which takes a bit longer, but it should look lovely in the end, fingers crossed!

Alexia (MArch) had work commitments for half the day (trooper!), But she joined us after lunch to carry on with the MSA Live project. Fair play to her, juggling part-time work and this intense week isn’t easy!

Lisa and Yiyo (Adaptive Reuse) were teaming up on some adorable little drawings and a lovely intro for our client and team members, super sweet and really brings a personal touch to the project!
Posted 20 May 2025 12:41
Group 21 / THE SHED AT THE LANDING
Zofia M
A closer look at our collaborator!!

The Landing is an urban garden and community growing space built by Where the Light Gets In and Manchester Urban Diggers. It supports sustainable food production for the restaurant (Where the Light Gets In) and the local community. The space promotes wellbeing, food sovereignty, biodiversity, and community engagement, offering a place to learn, grow, and connect through food. The Landing organises a variety of workshops, such as the Responsive Resource Series with natural dyeing and wool weaving exercises, weekly volunteering to help care for the garden, parties with music, and many more.



Posted 20 May 2025 12:38
Group 23 / THRIVE GARDEN
Eirini T
DAY 6 - TASK 8
Detailed Technical Plans

We’re now working on the detailed 3D model at the same time as putting together the Bill of Quantities. The technical design is really taking shape too, we’re collecting all the key information, spotting potential issues early, and trying to bring together everyone’s ideas to make sure nothing gets missed.
Posted 20 May 2025 12:38
Group 24 / VERDE VISION
Chung May Y
[Day 6] Programming

Over on the Romiley team, work has shifted into programming. This stage is all about defining how spaces will function, connect, and flow—laying the groundwork for a strong architectural strategy.

Romiley comes with its own set of challenges and opportunities, and the team is approaching it from a fresh angle. With both teams moving forward in parallel, we’re starting to see how the two sites can complement each other while still addressing their unique contexts.
Posted 20 May 2025 12:19
Group 16 / BRADFORD TAKEOVER
Laura-Elena P
Day 6- 17.05.25- Manufacturing

On Day 6, we explored a variety of model-making techniques in order to develop the interactive elements of our wayfinding route. One of these processes involved creating a silicone mould from the clay sculpture we had previously crafted. By pouring a 2-part silicone over the clay, we produced a negative mould, which allows us to replicate the original piece multiple times.

After allowing the silicone to cure for 24 hours, the mould will be ready to be carefully removed and prepared for casting. Our next step involves pouring plaster into the mould to create identical copies. The goal is to produce five replicas, enabling five participants to engage with the puzzle simultaneously.

Written by Laura Popa
Posted 20 May 2025 12:14
Group 16 / BRADFORD TAKEOVER
Laura-Elena P
Day 5- 16.05.25- Concepts Meet Community

The second half of the day brought a pivotal moment in the project: a presentation to Jade, Head of Cultural Partnerships at Bradford Council. Each group shared their puzzle idea, walking through how their interactive concepts link to the architectural, cultural, and social significance of their building. We also communicated our overall aim: to create an engaging, educational, and playful experience that connects people with the heritage of Bradford in a fresh, tactile way.
Jade offered invaluable feedback, critiquing our ideas through the lens of public engagement and cultural value. Her insights helped us consider how the puzzles might resonate with different audiences across Bradford, from locals familiar with the buildings to newcomers discovering the city’s history for the first time.
Her encouragement and constructive critique helped sharpen our focus as we move toward prototyping and final presentation. It was a meaningful reminder that design is not just about creativity but connection with place, people, and purpose.

Written by Shreya Tripathi
Posted 20 May 2025 12:12
Group 21 / THE SHED AT THE LANDING
Zofia M
Action Weeks: Day 6

Today, we continued to develop our final design proposals within our smaller groups, focusing more intently on refining the details. Before lunch, we spent the majority of our time discussing the structural aspects of the shed, including construction methods, necessary insulation, and how to incorporate water collection into the design. We collaborated to enhance our ideas, ensuring that functionality and feasibility align with our creative vision. The design is truly beginning to come together as we transition into more technical considerations.
Posted 20 May 2025 12:10
Group 15 / STREET AND A HALF
Merly SW
Day 5 - Material Exploration and Prototyping

We were able to take up our proposals for the SnA further, discussing about materials, aesthetics and improving the overall image and developing on the concept and ideas that could make the place much brighter. The BArch students started bringing their ideas to life by making site models and prototype models which could help convey their ideas in a much comprehensive way.

At the end of the day they produced a site model of 1:200 scale, made of readily available materials like cardboard and paper, this gave a better idea about the site and its surrounding.
Posted 20 May 2025 12:09
Group 38 / CORE COMMUNITY ENERGY PROJECT
Yap ZH
Day 6: First Day of the Intense Week

Ah, Monday, forever wearing its blue badge of honour. Not always the most productive day, let’s be honest, but as long as we stick together and share out the tasks, we will get things done!

Our client Mike popped in for a quick 3 pm catch-up. It was a bit of an impromptu one, we ended up presenting what was already in motion, especially after Alexander (yep, same CORE client!) filled us in on what went down last Thursday. Mike seemed to get the gist of where we’re at, and there’s a good chance we’ll book in another meeting once the draft’s ready to roll.

We’re aiming to have the draft wrapped up by Wednesday (Day 8), which should give us some breathing room to tweak and tidy everyone’s bits. Fingers crossed it all goes smoothly, no chaos, just good vibes and solid teamwork! 🤞✨
Posted 20 May 2025 11:57
Group 24 / VERDE VISION
Chung May Y
[Day 6] Site Mapping

After a restful weekend, our team is back! Looking at things with fresh eyes has helped us refine key ideas and make improvements based on the feedback we received last week.

Today, we focused on strengthening the concept and spatial arrangement, making sure our design decisions align with both the site conditions and the intended user experience. It’s exciting to see how much more cohesive the project feels already.
Posted 20 May 2025 11:55
Group 35 / UNDER THE POET'S TREE
Qiuyi W
19/05/25 |Context Modelling and Poster Design

We started the second week with a quick debrief of what we needed to be completed for Friday’s handover. With the details drawings already coming together, our remaining tasks included completing the 1:5 protoype, creating a supporting “exhibition-style” poster for the model and producing two construction manuals.

Part of the team then headed to B.15 for the day to complete the context model. They constructed the cut pieces with a stud wall support in the morning and began painting the ‘walls’ in the afternoon.

Meanwhile, the rest of the group explored poster concepts, figuring out the best way to communitcate the function and flexibility of the design. Using the fonts and colours we had already used in our MSALive poster ensured a cohesive output, we produced intial sketches, layouts and established a colour scheme. After a series of discussios and iterations, we concluded with a poster design that communicates the design in a creative, conceptual, and engaging way—with a zine-inspired aesthetic.
Posted 20 May 2025 11:11
Group 06 / PLAYSCAPE
Ellesse L
Initial design of spaces
19/05/2025

Today, the groups worked on the designs for the interior and exterior spaces. Using software skills and existing site plans, the team designed and drafted the proposals, using the research and analysis that had been done to use as inspiration and guidance.
The team also looked into the Building Regulations and guidance for designing primary schools (such as the BB103 documentation), this was key as it helped all students in the team to understand that there are specific guidance and requirements set out for the deigning of different spaces.
Posted 20 May 2025 10:11
Group 15 / STREET AND A HALF
Manish Manojbhai P
Day 4 - Design Development and 3d Visualization

B.arch students started working on visualization and illustration to further develop the design. Initial ideas and precedent studies helped them improve their design development. Students started working on facade and floor plans as required from the project brief.


Posted 20 May 2025 05:58
Group 15 / STREET AND A HALF
Manish Manojbhai P
Day 3 - Design Ideas and Precedent Studies

After the Concept mapping and Project brief, the group started working on the design ideas and precedent study.

After brainstorming within groups, the B.arch students produced various design elements depending on color schemes, landscaping and structural elements.



Posted 20 May 2025 03:49
Group 32 / UPSTAIRS @ 3B
Jonathan Marcus Jia Qian L
Let’s start Week 2 with a bang!
We took some time off from our screens and changed the scenery to B15. Some of us are experienced model makers, while others are still learning, but we’re picking up skills quickly and learning from each other.

It’s been really interesting to see how we’ve all approached modelling our boards in unique ways. We’re so excited with how the models are coming along and can’t wait to finish them off tomorrow, ready to present alongside our drawings and renders to the client on Wednesday!

We haven’t forgotten about the publication… We’ve made a steady start and are hoping to pick things up as we go.
Posted 20 May 2025 00:14
Group 01 / HALF-TIME HUB
Naba Arshad U
Day 6

The second week begins!

After an amazing meeting with our collaborators last Friday, the team was fresh and ready to work on the feedbacks we recieved. A lot of discussions occupied the day.

A lot.

But that's what happens when a bunch of designers get together - we collaborate. Everyone has their own strengths and the project enabled us to use them. The result was a carefully curated yet culturally ambitious design - a co-working space with a cafe. Expandable and in phases. Takimg careful consideration of the landscaping, plantations and what Gorgeous Gorse Hill is well known for - its art. A hub for residents, artists and the community.

The team is super excited to see how this takes shape!
Posted 19 May 2025 23:20
Group 03 / BRICK BY BRICK
Chia-Yu L
05.19 _ WORKSHOP DAY1

Today marked the first workshop day that we’ve been preparing for, and we quickly realised that we couldn’t really be prepared for what we had to come. While the day didn’t go completely to plan - including trouble with Wi-Fi meaning we couldn’t project the PowerPoint so Henry had to improvise (he deserves a real ‘well done’ for that) - the day was lots of fun, and we hope educational for the children as much as it was for us. For a lot of the group, it’s the first time we’ve worked with young children, and for some of us that have worked with younger children, it feels like it’s been a long time, so It has been a fun and interesting learning curve for all of us.

After the initial, partially improvised, PowerPoint in the hall, we went on a ‘site visit’ to look at the caretakers building that we have been working on and got the children to draw and note what they could see in the building and what more they want from it. The students got involved talking to the children about their ideas and why they wanted what they had drawn (ready for designs later on). We were really impressed with the creativity of the children and the variety of ideas that they were able to produce in a short amount of time with not too much prompting from us. Perhaps there are already a few budding architects in the group!

Next, we returned to the children’s three separate classrooms and got to paper folding. We were able to work with the children in smaller groups and got to know each of their personalities a bit better. There was such a variety in the decorated and built paper nets, really showing off each of the children’s personalities.

The day was a lot of fun (if tiring) with a promising start to the workshop and the ideas that could come from it. We’re ready and excited for the full day of work tomorrow getting more in depth with what an architect is and does and teaching the children some new things about the profession. We are hoping we can get them excited about the work and get some more great ideas generated in the coming activities that we can use later this week in a proposal of our own for the site.
Posted 19 May 2025 22:33
Group 34 / COMMUNITY WAVES
Dulcie B
Days 5 & 6 (16 & 19/5) : Design Feedback & Completion

On day's 5 and 6, the master's students gave feedback on the progressing designs which were then finalised with text, QR codes and merch placements. The Video Team continued to edit the content, creating a mixture of captivating clips for Radio Diamond's social media.

We were so impressed with everyone's work and unique ideas. Tomorrow, we will add any final edits, before printing and prepping for virtual and digital distribution across the city.
Posted 19 May 2025 22:04
Group 17 / MARKET STREET REFRESH
Rebecca S
Day 6!

Today we conducted targeted software tutorials for the undergraduate cohort, giving them new insights into tools that enhance design presentation. Then, building on last week’s progress, the team reviewed the project and concentrated on refining the site plan. By the end of the day, we had reached consensus on a final layout, positioning the studio to focus on detailed design development in tomorrow’s session.
Posted 19 May 2025 21:48
Group 28 / TEA AND TALES
Xiang L
Day 6
A new week!

After a restful weekend, we resumed our design work. This week, we are moving into the next stage of the design process—transferring our hand-drawn sketches into digital form to create more precise drawings and digital models.
Posted 19 May 2025 20:52
Group 29 / FOREST SCHOOL
Yan Hei Ashlie H
Day 06: Kicking off week 2 with some physical model making

Based on the draft plan we developed on Friday, combining our initial proposals from Week 1, we built a 1:100 physical model to help us better visualize the overall spatial arrangement and flow. Along with this, a revised site plan was drawn up in CAD. With this updated plan in hand, we began construction on our final 1:50 physical model which will represent our ultimate proposal for the forest school at Burnside.
Posted 19 May 2025 19:43
Group 39 / PLASTIC SHED
Sze Yik L
May 19th (Afternoon)

Progress is coming along well. Each group has been developing their work, either through physical models or technical drawings, depending on their chosen approach.
Posted 19 May 2025 18:05
Group 27 / SENSESCAPE
Yuran W
Day 6 – May 19th: Improving Design

After a weekend of rest, everyone returned to work with a new focus. We first reviewed the feedback given by our collaborators last week and refocused on the combination of user experience and spatial practicality.

Then, we continued on the drawings and visuals based on the division of tasks between 2D and 3D groups.

At the same time, the arrangement of the booklet was officially launched! We began to organise the design process, concepts, key visuals, and set about building a complete design narrative.

Today was a busy and fulfilling day! The team collaborated efficiently and took a great step towards the final results.
Posted 19 May 2025 18:01
Group 15 / STREET AND A HALF
Shao-Yu W
Day 2 - Examination of the street, collaborative proposals and group photo!

These were some of the initial concepts for reshaping the current streetscape—some focused on spatial configurations, while others emphasised enhancing the existing street. Even at this early stage, the possibilities are truly inspiring. By bringing together these diverse ideas, the street has the potential to become more vibrant and welcoming, attracting more people and enriching the city.

After pairing up into groups, the BArch students began to consolidate their ideas, shaping their concepts in a more structured way. They explored potential users, examined social issues surrounding the site, and considered how it would evolve throughout the day and across different seasons. Each group then had the opportunity to present their collected work, inspiring and motivating one another along the way.
Posted 19 May 2025 17:59
Group 29 / FOREST SCHOOL
Louise H
Week 2!

The start of a new week means the start of model making, considering the feedback we gained last week to prepare our final proposal for the site. In this week, we will try and add a couple workshops in for the BA students to learn digital skills such as photoshop! Let’s get started!
Posted 19 May 2025 17:58
Group 15 / STREET AND A HALF
Shao-Yu W
Day 2 - Initial concepts and proof of group works

With a clearer understanding of the site and the project brief, our second day progressed into exploring initial concepts and inspirations for the possibilities in St Helens. The BArch students formed in three groups and paired up with people with a similar approach to Street and A Half. Each group is tasked with developing a proposal to present to our collaborators. These are to prove the hard-working moment we had in Geoffrey Manton.
Posted 19 May 2025 17:57
Group 37 / ECO CHURCH
Ruizi Z
DAY 6 – Drawings and Dialogue
Today was a productive and energising day.

Visual Development for Publication
The majority of our team continued working on diagrams for the final publication. The team members began developing model renders to communicate the massing and spatial atmosphere of our proposal. Simultaneously, we started drawing site plans, elevations, and sections to illustrate the architectural intent in greater detail. Axonometric diagrams were created to clearly express spatial relationships and hierarchies, while a series of sustainability diagrams began to take shape.

Engaging with the Community
Meanwhile, the others of the team returned to the United Didsbury Methodist Church to put up our community engagement posters. These included eco-friendly travel maps designed to encourage visitors to reduce their carbon footprints by choosing sustainable transport options. Alongside these, we installed interactive boards that invited people to share how they typically travel to the church, fostering engagement and awareness. We also presented visual prompts that outlined the sustainable strategies being considered in our project.
Posted 19 May 2025 17:54
Group 15 / STREET AND A HALF
Shao-Yu W
Day 1 - Project introduction, visual site visit and initial concept mapping

After lunch, we made a presentation giving the site a brief introduction, with the current situation and the events that are happening on the site. This brainstorming event was to help the BArchs build up a visual image of the site. The activity was to give out their initial concept and approach to the street, what they would like to bring out for St Helens. Many amazing sketches were brought across the group, and three subgroups were placed according to their approach. Super excited for the upcoming ideas.
Posted 19 May 2025 17:34
Group 09 / WINDOW INTO LINDOW
Liam R
Day 6 -

Today we continued to expand our trail map by identifying and highlighting key buildings across Lindow Moss. These structures are shown on the map through illustrative elevations to serve as waypoints along the architectural trail.

Alongside this, we continued refining our intervention concepts through additional sketching, ensuring both elements work together as part of a cohesive spatial narrative. We have also begun to put together the final set of conceptual drawings
Posted 19 May 2025 16:52
Group 33 / SKATE X ALSAGER
Peiqing L
DAY 6:
We are finalising the design today by extracting ideas from each group and aligning them with the requirements set by our collaborators, who want something building on-site. The pavilion is intended to be easy to construct, and we’ve decided to use timber for the structure. Besides the design itself, the main challenges we’re facing are determining how to build it and deciding on the appropriate scale.
Posted 19 May 2025 16:46
Group 02 / PORTLAND THINKSPACE
Xinyue M
Day 6: Design Development

Continuing with our design output from last week, today we carried on developing the design while doing the digital modelling. According to our final output plans, our group split into four sections based on the final output: lighting, furniture, partitioning and mural design. In the afternoon, we had a short summary of today's outputs and a presentation of tomorrow's plans.

Pictured: We are wokring hard!!!
Posted 19 May 2025 16:36
Group 19 / WILD BROOK
Lucy H
DAY 6

Returning for the second week of MSA Live, on Day 6 we continued refining and organizing our materials for inclusion in both the publication and the output booklet for our collaborators. We completed our template layouts and began to populate the document with our refined information picked from the work completed in the previous week. Throughout the day, we also identified and addressed any remaining gaps in our content, discussing ways to complete the required documentation and then completing these objectives. Reconfiguring our poster, we have synthesized a new design for the booklet requested for our client, information that will form the backbone of our publication.
Posted 19 May 2025 15:59
Group 14 / FLOAT
Eleanor VB
Day 6!

To kick-start the design week, we developed our conceptual designs from last week, beginning the process by drawing sketch plans, elevations, and sections. To warm up and bring some energy in the morning, we also played a few games such as the time guesser and food guesser!

In the afternoon, the Masters students each showed their portfolios to help the undergraduate students get a feel for each of our different ateliers; from [CPU]ai and Infrastructure Space to &rchitecture and FLUX. Lastly, to help set up the activities for tomorrow we held an introductory AutoCAD workshop as we take the sketch designs into the next, more technical stage.
Posted 19 May 2025 15:47
Group 15 / STREET AND A HALF
Shao-Yu W
Day 1 - meeting the committee, ice breakers and of course our lunch socials!

The beginning of Street and A Half! The master's students are ready to express their enthusiasm over the next two weeks, you’ll have the opportunity to work on revitalising the street in Geoffrey Manton. This is a fantastic chance to collaborate, learn, and make a meaningful impact on the community. We’re excited to have you with us!

We kicked off with some icebreaker games, watching with excitement as our BArch students poured their energy and passion into each activity. These sparked their creativity, encouraging them to unleash their drawing skills and build ideas together. Collaboration and shared inspiration were truly the key!

The highlight of the day was undoubtedly our lunch socials—not only did we share stories, but many also showcased their hidden skills and talents. We genuinely had some great moments in YES. (Meanwhile, the MArchs were secretly enjoying their beers behind the camera, adding to the amazing atmosphere where everyone could truly connect and bond!)
Posted 19 May 2025 15:33

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