MSA Live 25

This afternoon, we focused on further refining our concept designs. Our group explored different strategies for integrating social housing and community spaces - emphasizing flexible environments that adapt and respond to diverse needs and uses.

Posted 19 May 2025 15:24

Group 36 / ECOHUB HOUSE

Ozgenur S

Day 6:

Starting the week by working hard!
We continue work on models. We are coming to the end of the modelling work. We talked about the details of physical model and start drawing them on cad file. For the digital model, we continue work on details in the room.

Posted 19 May 2025 15:23

Group 39 / PLASTIC SHED

Sze Yik L

May 19th (Morning)

Today, we kept working on our furniture design guidebook. The MArch teams shared a more polished version, giving us a clearer idea of what to include and how it should look. Some teams are diving deeper into digital modelling, while others have started bringing their designs to life over in B15—exciting to see things moving from paper to physical form!

Posted 19 May 2025 15:18

Group 14 / FLOAT

Baiyun S

Getting wet!

Our models got their first dip in the water as we tested out their floatability, structural stability, and weight distributions. Most of them stood fast to our 20-second test, but some unfortunately had more water ingress than others :(

We have our water bottle platform barges that made the waterscape accessible for everyone, as well as toothpick performance spaces, buoyant circular piers, organic-partitioned platforms, swimming in the water with our jellyfish (not to scale!)

All hands on board for more designing now!

Posted 19 May 2025 15:13

We were inspired by a case study! A board able to see through could be placed on the front of the chapel, not only to make it more interesting for visitors to explore, but also to serve as a representative sign of the Agecroft Chapel. It's an interesting design and is positioned on the most characteristic elevation of the chapel. The design is unique and we wanted to bring some special elements to the Agecroft Chapel.

Posted 19 May 2025 15:09

Group 04 / RESCUE HUB

Yuanhao L

Action Week: Day 6

Today is the first day of a new week, and our team members have begun to improve the feasibility of the plan. After communicating with Bolton worker last week, we will continue to improve the detailed design of the building plan and the detailed distribution design of the functional zoning. We also explained some design logic theories in detail to the undergraduate students and applied them to our design. Today's design content was also successfully completed.

Posted 19 May 2025 15:07

[Day 5] Team Bonding

It’s been an intense first week. Huge thanks to everyone for the effort and amazing work. The outcomes have honestly exceeded expectations, and it's been great seeing the project come together like this.
Special shoutout to Jovan for the delicious Basque cheesecake—definitely the energy boost we needed! Great job, team. Let’s keep the momentum going 🚀

Posted 19 May 2025 15:07

Beacon development + group crit

After the physical model was complete a crit was done by the landscaping team, we found that there may be some practical measures that include simplifying the construction process, reducing material complexity, and improving accessibility and maintenance. These thoughts led us to reimagine the current iteration of our beacon into a slightly more simplified structure that remains playful and engaging. The proposal thus becomes a mix of sculptural form and functional design that better integrates with the landscape and user interaction.

Posted 19 May 2025 15:03

Beacon model making in the park

Friday morning was spent physically modeling (at 1:20) an initial design of a beacon, following Wednesday’s discussions with the collaborators. Not only were we able to bask in the sunshine, we were also able to better understand the structural integrity and constructability of the proposed design…Which, in all honesty, led us back to the drawing board showing the harsh realities of designing on paper versus physically.

Posted 19 May 2025 15:01

Landscaping in 3D

To develop the landscaping further, collages were created on photoshop and procreate to display our ideas in 3D.

Posted 19 May 2025 15:00

Digital modeling the planters

Following Tuesdays sketch up 1on 1’s Tom (who had never used sketch up before this week) was able to create a 3D model of the planters, whilst correlating his design ideas with the landscaping team. The model will be used to create orthographic drawing later on.

Posted 19 May 2025 14:58

Local Plants Research

In the first half of the morning, part of the landscaping team researched local crops, scented flowers, and herbs with multiple uses. Strawberries, blueberries, and flowers such as sunflowers were identified as great options, given the limited space and their suitability for Stockport’s climate.

Posted 19 May 2025 14:55

[Day 5] Design Critiques

We spent the morning working on our designs, and now we're doing some cross-reviews across groups. There's been a lot of back-and-forth, sketching and rethinking but that's part of the process to push the design a bit further. Our team is feeling good about the direction we're heading in!

Posted 19 May 2025 14:52

Eleanor Somerset W

Following the feedback from attendees at our community consultation last Friday, we have shifted our focus from just social housing to exploring a range of design concepts that integrate more community-oriented spaces. Our goal for the final output is to provide Valley Heritage with three conceptual design strategies:

1. Social housing
2. Community hub
3. Combination of housing and community spaces

Our aim is to provide proposals that can help Valley Heritage evaluate the cost, feasibility, and financial viability of each option.

Posted 19 May 2025 14:50

[Day 5] Finalising Design Proposals

After getting some really useful feedback yesterday, we’re now wrapping up our design work and starting to develop the plans. We’ve made a few adjustments to the layout and materials to better reflect the ideas we want to communicate, and now we’re diving into the more technical side of things. It’s exciting to see the project starting to take shape in a more detailed way!

Posted 19 May 2025 14:37

Day 5

Today is our first presentation. We cover site analysis, architectural analysis of the chapel, SWOT analysis, cases studies, preliminary design of the project and subsequent directions. In the presentation, we showed the model and some renderings so that the council could see our design better. They gave us some advice, such as harmonizing the relationship between different functions. While preserving the historical heritage of the chapel to the greatest extent possible, we can also take into account the new remodeling to bring a better experience to the visitors.

Posted 19 May 2025 14:25

Day 4

We got a lot of inspiration from the sketches we made the day before. We completed the initial division of the space and formulated the function of each area. The coffee shop and the outdoor garden were the most important areas that were added. We made the interior of the chapel look better and have a clearer flow.

Posted 19 May 2025 14:02

Day 3

Based on what we had learned about the site over the previous two days, we made some sketches to expand the group's ideas. We thought more deeply about the space inside the chapel and in relation to the needs of the visitors. The group members provided great ideas!

Posted 19 May 2025 13:47

These are some of the requests that the council made when we were meeting with them about the space. We think that these requirements can better help us clarify the direction of the subsequent design. In particular, how to create a place that the public will want to visit requires us to think more about the convenience of the internal facilities.

Posted 19 May 2025 13:43

Day 1

This was an uplifting group event! The whole group came together to visit Agecroft Chapel. All of us observed the old building very carefully and walked around the surroundings. The caretaker of the place gave us an introduction to the vicinity of the chapel and the traffic, and we had a great time of chatting.

Posted 19 May 2025 13:39

Group 18 / THE CANOPY COLLECTIVE

The group was invited to Salford Council together on a weekend when the weather was perfect. We were very honored to be there. We had a meeting in the big meeting room with the person in charge, which allowed us to learn more about the place. The person in charge spent the morning giving us detailed information about the site and the local culture. After lunch, the people in charge discussed and answered our questions, which helped us a lot in our following design. Before leaving, we visited some of the displays in the council building and the formal meeting hall.

Posted 19 May 2025 13:38

Frances R

Day 6:
Moving forward with the design for the shelter, today we’ve consolidated a design as a group through iteration and discussion. We’re beginning to refine the design, think about appropriate materiality for the site and think about how local trades can construct it, a big part of Growing Togetherness’ ethos; a circular economy.

Posted 19 May 2025 13:17

Group 26 / THE HULME BLUEPRINT

Sakshi Nitin A

Following our weekend red pen review session, during which we thoroughly assessed the submitted visuals for mid-project review, the feedback was marked directly on the renders to clearly identify areas needing refinement. These annotations helped structure the next round of improvements, ensuring clarity ahead of the collaborator feedback.

Yesterday, we shared a glimpse of the updated renders with collaborators for early insight. Today, the bachelor's students are actively implementing the suggested changes, focusing on enhancing the quality of visualization, rendering, and overall post-production workflows. Their hands-on involvement has been pivotal in refining the outputs further.

We are now entering the final stretch of the project phase, aligning all elements for a cohesive and impactful presentation. The momentum is strong, and the collaborative effort across levels is showing impressive results.

Posted 19 May 2025 12:33

Group 14 / FLOAT

Lai Ying L

Day 5!

To end the week with something fun, we wrapped up and reviewed our storyboards from Thursday, then moved on to our performance prototype model workshop!

We built the ideas gathered across the week into prototype models using recycled and reused model materials, including plastic bottles, lolly sticks, cardboards and cereal boxes. The hands-on creative session helped give more spatial awareness and consideration to their designs. It was exciting to see how everyone's ideas manifested into different forms and design features each with their own flair.

We then went on to testing them on the water...

Posted 19 May 2025 12:26

Day 2

As part of our redevelopment of Agecroft Cemetery Chapel, we conducted a community survey to gather feedback. A third of respondents visit the site at least once a year, mainly to attend funerals or visit graves. Many voiced concern over the chapel’s poor condition and stressed the need to preserve its architecture and history for future generations. There was strong support for improvements such as better seating, rest areas, and enhanced interior conditions. Respondents also suggested hosting regular events to bring the chapel back into active use. A particularly popular idea was to create a heritage or local history exhibition within the chapel, celebrating its stories and significance. This valuable feedback will guide us in shaping a respectful and meaningful transformation of the space.

Posted 19 May 2025 12:16

Peiqing L

CONCEPT 3 - Performance Stage
This idea comes from the MLA students. They propose a dynamically shaped structure that functions both as a stage and a skateable surface, forming a tunnel-like space for interactive play. In addition, they designed a pottery tower inspired by Alsager’s pottery heritage. The tower allows children to climb up and enjoy an elevated view of the entire Milton Park.

Posted 19 May 2025 12:13

Peiqing L

CONCEPT 2 - Installation X
This proposal comes from the BA1 students. They designed an X-shaped installation along the pathway between the graffiti wall and the skate pool. The intersecting arches of the X are envisioned to be constructed using recycled railway materials. Within the gaps of the structure, colourful images and drawings can be displayed, creating an engaging and ever-changing visual experience. On sunny days, the structure casts dynamic shadows on the ground that shift and evolve as the sun moves across the sky.

Posted 19 May 2025 12:03

[Day 4] Client Presentation

Our team presented to Ross and Lisa from Life Leisure in the afternoon. It was great to share everything we have been working on and got some positive feedback from them. It's been a lot of work but it was all worth it. We're excited to dive back into the project after all the feedback. Can't wait to see how everything comes together!

Posted 19 May 2025 12:02

[Day 4] Mood Boards

Our team is preparing a presentation for the meeting with Ross and Lisa from Life Leisure in the afternoon. We're transforming our findings and initial thoughts into diagrams and collages. Look what we have put together in just one morning, just impressive!!

Posted 19 May 2025 11:58

Peiqing L

CONCEPT 1 - Pavilion
We unintentionally divided everyone into BA1, BA2, and MLA groups. This concept originated from the BA2 students. They designed a pavilion alongside the skate pool, creating a sheltered space where children can play around the installation. They also proposed a children’s graffiti wall, referencing the existing graffiti wall next to the skate pool, where children can draw on it, moving their arts class to outdoors space.

Posted 19 May 2025 11:54

Andreea M

DAY 5:
For the end of the first week, we had one of the collaborators come in to see the progress made. He had very useful feedback for each of the concepts, and guided the students towards reaching a desired output.

Posted 19 May 2025 11:00

Signage

A group worked on creating new signage at two separate entrances to the What If site, following discussions with collaborators on the previous day. Tools used included Illustrator and Procreate.

Posted 19 May 2025 10:58

Beacon development

The ambiguity of the brief for the beacon was widely narrowed by the chat with the collaborates on the previous day. However many from the team were still wrapped up in the myriad of possibilities for the structure. To navigate this, we began by defining the key spaces, materials, and components. Then, as a team, we held a fast-paced design charette, where each member had 30 minutes to generate a design response. The charette proved to be incredibly expressive and insightful. It gave everyone the freedom to interpret the brief in their own way, revealing a wide spectrum of creative approaches.

Posted 19 May 2025 10:46

Group 05 / BOWLS TO BLOOMS

Landscaping in Plan

Following the last meeting with our collaborators, we started to explore landscaping changes to the current car park, in front of the What If site. The team developed ideas brainstormed earlier, including new arched entrances into the east-facing hedge, a intricate 'play road' mural, as well as designing circular planters.

Posted 19 May 2025 10:44

Group 25 / CURIOUS CREEK

Shreya D

15th May - Day 4 – Intensive Week:
We gathered at Geoffrey Manton 3.31, full of energy and ready to push the project further. While some of us focused on refining the layout and tying ideas together, the creek team worked simultaneously in the MTC Lab, developing key visuals and models. It felt like everything was finally falling into place—each step brought us closer to a more solid and exciting outcome!

Posted 19 May 2025 10:42

Yukun L

Day 5 of Intensive Week – Site Clearance

Today our team headed to Monton Church for the first hands-on session on site. Working with a group of friendly, community-minded residents, we focused on clearing the overgrown vegetation along the western side of the site. We created a clear visual connection between the grounds and the church.

The original footpath had disappeared after years of neglect, so we We cleaned it up and restored clear boundaries. By the end of the day the pedestrian route was once again readable, and the whole site looked markedly tidier and more inviting. Several neighbours stopped by to thank us; their encouragement was a great boost and confirmed that the project is beginning to make a positive local impact.

Posted 18 May 2025 23:57

Group 16 / BRADFORD TAKEOVER

Laura-Elena P

Day 5- 16.05.25- Interactive Elements Design

On day five, we moved forward with developing the interactive elements by dividing into five groups, each focusing on a different game-like element of our wayfinding activity. Our day involved activities ranged from modelling a historical plaster detail in clay to digitally replicating intricate features in CAD for later laser cutting. Alongside these tasks, we conducted research and produced sketches to refine our ideas. This hands-on, multidisciplinary approach allowed us to explore both traditional craftsmanship and digital fabrication techniques, ensuring the interactive elements are both authentic and innovative.

Posted 18 May 2025 22:05

Group 20 / GREEN HAVEN

Hongli Z

Day 05 - Preparation for the Mid-term Review

The masterplanning and landscape teams have integrated the final ideas from the first round of sketches and translated them into three-dimensional models. At the same time, final adjustments were made to the design of the classrooms to align them with the landscape prior to review. The pergola design, which had previously been completed through a physical model, was now refined and expressed in more detail through a digital 3D form.

The work of all three teams has been integrated into one comprehensive 3D model. To ensure that the client clearly understood our concepts during Monday's presentation, we also created a set of rendered visuals to more intuitively communicate the space and design intent.

With all the preparations complete, we look forward to our upcoming interaction with the client and anticipate new feedback that will help us further improve the design.

Posted 18 May 2025 18:11

Group 20 / GREEN HAVEN

Hongli Z

Day 04 - Collaborative Dialogue and Steady Progress

We continued to move forward with the previous day's work. The masterplanning and landscape design teams worked closely with the classroom and pergola design teams to promote a cohesive overall vision and a harmonious site layout. The classroom design team made significant progress with 3D modelling, while the pergola design team tested various façade strategies, experimenting with different vine weaving patterns to create unique spatial effects as well as testing what kind of impacts can be made on the space with different vine weaving patterns.

In the afternoon, members of march1 gave BA members a tour of some of the Rhino software. As we aim to present our final work in a fully realised 3D format, this meeting helped to lay the foundations for digital modelling skills that will support future design development.

Posted 18 May 2025 16:31

Group 26 / THE HULME BLUEPRINT

Sophie J

Over the weekend, we (the master's students) spent time reviewing the visuals submitted as part of the mid-project review, marking them up using red pen to illustrate areas of improvement to be addressed on Monday prior to receiving the collaborator feedback.

Posted 18 May 2025 15:13

Group 35 / UNDER THE POET'S TREE

Kexin S

16/05/25 | Rounding Up the First Week

As a group we decided upon the final designs to take forward into the following action week. With this the students began working on the detail drawings that would aid in the fabrication and construction of each piece of furniture. By the start of the afternoon, design revisions had come to a halt, and we were all happy with the model outputs we wanted.

Once the design revisions had been fully made, we gave a quick presentation on what we would like to see out of them, and what would be useful for next week. This included clear and readable examples of detail drawings, posters, a kit of parts, and an IKEA-like construction manual.

It was great that the students had told us what they are comfortable with using, and what skill sets they’d like to improve, allowing us to allocate them in groups, according to the outputs we outlined for them.

In the afternoon, several of the students were taken to the workshop to begin fabrication of the context model. Martin had made us aware that he struggled visualising space, so we thought this would be an excellent way of showing him the space with the furniture inside. The students were encouraged to work with as many machines as possible, for many of them this was the first time in the B.15 workshop. The staff in the workshop, and the masters students encouraged the undergraduates to make and craft. In our own experiences the best way to learn is by doing, and these experiences in the workshop really allowed them to give it a go!

Looking back at the hectic, but enjoyable first week, it has been really encouraging to see the students properly designing with a real client in mind. It’s also great to see them trying new things, like working in B.15. These are all things we looked to achieve when creating the Action Plan for these two weeks, so it’s lovely to see that this is paying off!

Posted 18 May 2025 13:11

It was cool to see our project poster displayed at the reception of Burnside centre!

Posted 17 May 2025 14:50

Day 05: Reflection

The team gathered to reflect on the notes from Burnside. While the discussions were still fresh in our minds, we began drafting a revised site plan that responds to the suggestions and ideas shared.

It was a productive end to the week, and we’re heading into Week 2 with clear direction and a shared excitement to bring our final proposal to life!

Posted 17 May 2025 14:42

Jonathan Marcus Jia Qian L

Day 05: Presentation day!

The team made our way to Burnside Centre to present our initial ideas and design proposals. It was a great moment to share all the hard work we've put in over the past week. Our collaborators were thrilled to see our progress and offered valuable feedback to help refine the proposals further and better align them with their needs. They highlighted specific components they loved, such as the communication wall for non-verbal kids and the set of numbered wooden stepping stones. They also gave us ideas on further developing some of our proposed components.

Following the presentation, a discussion with our collaborator reached a decision that moving forward, we will focus on developing one proposal. We will integrate the strongest ideas from both proposals, blending their best features to create a single, well-rounded design.

Posted 17 May 2025 14:29

Group 01 / HALF-TIME HUB

Naba Arshad U

Day 5 - Presentations!!

After a week of brain-storming, discussions, ideations, conceptualisations, crash courses and workshops, the day finally arrived when we presented it all to our collaborator Ruth. We are glad that members from the Gorgeous Gorse Hill community were able to join us and give amazing feedbacks that made this process worth every second.

We discussed four comprehensive options around the toilet block and were able to understand the qualities that our collaborators and community members liked. Going forward, these ideas would be combined in one design, a manifestation of the qualities that stops out the most.

This marked the end of an intensive yet exciting week one.
A lot was explored, a lot was learnt.
We look forward to the second week of MSA Live, hoping to further develop the design and grow together as a team.

Posted 17 May 2025 00:48

Group 32 / UPSTAIRS @ 3B

The logistics for our boards are sorted, and our designs are finally feeling real, we’ve made them feasible, and we’re so close to bringing them to life. Modelling officially starts on Monday, and we’re ready!

Today, we took a little breather from designing and shifted gears to focus on storyboarding and building up our publication. The BAs jumped in with research, diagrams, and some amazing conceptual collages to help shape the narrative.

With everything coming together so smoothly, we’re feeling really positive about our progress and excited for what’s next!

Posted 16 May 2025 23:59

Group 03 / BRICK BY BRICK

Chia-Yu L

05.16 _ LOOKING AHEAD _ GROUP VISION FOR DEVELOPMENT

Each group identified key aspects of their designs that they hope to further develop after the two-day workshop. These ideas will eventually be combined with feedback and creative input from the children at Oswald Road Primary School, forming a collaborative and user-informed proposal.

Group 1 focused on spatial arrangement, experimenting with various layouts to maximise efficiency, improve circulation, and enhance user experience. Their design was deeply rooted in site responses, using contextual factors to inform the placement of programme spaces. Once the layout was established, the group turned their attention to materiality—exploring how choices in transparency, privacy, and lighting could elevate the design. The team also began to develop elevations and sections to communicate their ideas more clearly.

Group 2 centred their exploration on the canopy structure. Through a series of iterations, they tested different placements and scales, always guided by site analysis and environmental factors. Their design was supported by a strong sense of reasoning and justification, especially in response to solar exposure and circulation. The group also examined the detailing of the canopy's supporting louvres, considering factors such as constructability, cost, carbon footprint, transparency, and privacy.

Group 3 took a keen interest in the façade, with a strong emphasis on sustainability. Greenery became a central design feature, reflecting their desire to promote environmental awareness within the nursery space. Initially, the team explored different spatial arrangements to optimise efficiency while also introducing playful and innovative design ideas. One such idea was the creation of buffer zones—transitional spaces that act as safety measures and enhance user flow, offering both practicality and thoughtful spatial design.

Overall, the day was full of rich, collaborative brainstorming. The teams are now well-prepared and enthusiastic for the upcoming workshop with the children. We're all looking forward to seeing how their ideas can merge with ours to shape a truly creative and inclusive design. Excitement is building as we move toward a day of imagination, interaction, and co-creation!

Posted 16 May 2025 23:43

Group 03 / BRICK BY BRICK

Chia-Yu L

05.16 _ CONTEXT, CREATIVITY, and CRITICAL CONVERSATIONS

Day 5 was filled with energy and creativity as the team delved into designing the nursery space. The group was split into three teams, each developing imaginative, thoughtful, and practical proposals for the building.

The day began with in-depth site analysis. Teams examined the site context—considering surrounding buildings, solar gain, and prevailing winds—and discussed how these factors might inform spatial planning and enhance the user experience within the nursery.

Embracing a hands-on approach, students sketched their ideas using traditional design methods such as adjacency diagrams and bubble diagrams, encouraging spontaneous creativity and collaborative thinking.

A particularly engaging moment came when students compared their proposals with the approved plan that is currently set for construction. This sparked a series of critical discussions around the rationale behind key design decisions. With insightful guidance from MArch students, the group speculated on the logic behind certain choices—questioning, for instance, the placement of toilets or the efficiency of space planning. These conversations proved to be invaluable learning experiences, especially for the BA1 and BA2 students, who displayed a strong curiosity and enthusiasm for real-world architectural thinking.

Armed with contextual understanding and new perspectives, each team continued to refine their designs, focusing on elements they found most compelling. From spatial flow to user interaction, the diversity of ideas brought a richness to the collaborative design process.

Posted 16 May 2025 23:39

Day 04: Refining ideas and preparation for a presentation to our collaborator

Both groups spent the day refining their proposals, clarifying key design ideas, and thinking more critically about how each element contributes to the overall experience.

We also began preparing materials for our interim presentation to our collaborator, which will be an important opportunity to gather feedback and strengthen our direction moving forward.

Posted 16 May 2025 23:15

The fun & play group strategically arranged elements on the site, thinking carefully about how to create a flow of playful discovery. The result is a design approach that prioritizes sensory-rich, imaginative experiences across different zones of the space.

Posted 16 May 2025 22:33

Group 02 / PORTLAND THINKSPACE

The education group wrote out a list of components and mapped them on the site based on the location of entrances, existing features, and proposed zoning. This process helped clarify the flow of movement through the site and ensured each element would serve its intended function while supporting a cohesive educational experience for the children.

Posted 16 May 2025 22:31

Xueying H

Detailed action plan for week 2
Intensive Week!!!!!

Posted 16 May 2025 22:11

Group 39 / PLASTIC SHED

Sze Yik L

May 16th (Afternoon)

TGIF! So we decided to have pizza together to end our working week. What a productive week and well done everyone!!!

Posted 16 May 2025 20:45

Group 39 / PLASTIC SHED

Sze Yik L

May 16th (Morning)

Today, we moved on with adding more details towards our furniture design. We test out our ideas with making both physical and digital models. By then, we have further developed our thoughts on having an assembly guidebook for each of our products, it comes with the introduction of the product, amount of components needed, and step by step instructions.

Posted 16 May 2025 20:43

Group 28 / TEA AND TALES

Xiang L

Day 5
Mid-term presentation!!

In the morning, we prepared our mid-term presentation, and at noon we shared our design ideas and two different proposals with our collaborator Mike from @THEGRANGE.

The presentation was organized by the master's students, while the BA students delivered the content. Mike was very pleased with our proposals and gave comments on both.
Afterward, we discussed together and decided on the final design direction.

Posted 16 May 2025 18:01

Group 14 / FLOAT

Lai Ying L

Our key design drivers!

Keeping "context", "materiality", "interactivity", "sustainability", and "engagement" in mind as we continue to develop our ideas and concepts into tangible designs.

Posted 16 May 2025 17:52

Group 28 / TEA AND TALES

Xiang L

Day 5
Mid-term presentation!!

A happy group photo with our collaborator Mike @THEGRANGE.

Thanks to the BA students for a great presentation, and to Mike for his feedback, which helped clarify our direction for next week’s work.
Let’s keep it up!

Posted 16 May 2025 17:46

Group 02 / PORTLAND THINKSPACE

Junfan Z

Day 5: 3D Modelling and Rendering

Today marked an exciting milestone as we began testing our designs through 3D modelling! It was great to see such a diverse range of software choices—Blender, Rhino, and Shapr3D were among the favourites. Some students also experimented with rendering tools like D5 Render and Blender. It turned out great!

It was an intensive day filled with focused, independent work from the B. A students, while the M. Arch students were on hand and ready to support whenever needed.

By the end of the day, everyone uploaded their drawings to Miro and gave individual presentations. It was a real pleasure to see the amazing work produced.

We're clearly heading in the right direction—well done and keep up, everyone!

Posted 16 May 2025 17:39

Group 17 / MARKET STREET REFRESH

Toby H

Day 5

We gathered our concepts as a group and collaboratively identified each proposal's strongest ideas and features. Through discussion and sketch development, we refined these into a unified site concept that integrates the best elements of our initial designs.

Our primary goal was to strengthen connectivity throughout the site regarding physical access and the community functions it supports. The updated layout introduces a central community garden as a focal point, with curved pathways encouraging movement and exploration. These pathways connect key features such as the pond, seating zones, and designated cycling storage, ensuring inclusive navigation.

We also considered how the site could support year-round engagement with flexible green spaces and gathering areas that adapt to changing uses.

This iteration reflects our commitment to community-centred design, prioritising wellbeing, activity, and accessibility.

We have started to create a 3D model of the site and will begin to develop drawings and visuals for the client!

Posted 16 May 2025 16:24

Group 06 / PLAYSCAPE

Ellesse L

From Workshops to 3D Modelling (with Ice Cream on Top!)
16/05/25

Another great day from a great team! Today’s session was packed with intense workshops and crits, but a real highlight was the 3D digital modelling tutorial we ran for the whole group. It was brilliant to see the master’s students sharing their skills, guiding everyone through modelling furniture pieces that will actually feature in our final design — making the session both fun and purposeful.

We ended the day on a sweet note with an ice cream party (because who doesn’t love ice cream on a hot summer’s day?). It was the perfect way to celebrate everyone’s hard work and appreciate the amazing energy the group continues to bring.

Posted 16 May 2025 16:17

Group 07 / TYLDESLEY SPARK

Taras M

Day 5 roundup

The end of Action Week 1, and we’ve achieved a lot so far! Today we started to refine our initial ideas from day 4, and began to look at the designs at a more technical level, understanding the feasibility of our proposals.

Floor plans, facade designs, and concepts for the courtyard were all discussed, and we have begun to narrow down our scope to help focus our work in Action Week 2.

Next week…

We will work together to take the feasibility studies from this week and refine them further, creating a few final proposals that will be presented to the client.

Posted 16 May 2025 16:14

Group 26 / THE HULME BLUEPRINT

Sophie J

To start the day, Ayesha gave a half-hour workshop demonstrating the basics of Photoshop and how it could be used to help enhance the quality of the visuals. From there, the group separated into their teams, all remaining in the Geoffrey Manton building. Across the morning, the students developed their renders, some teams further along than others, based on technical issues and illness across the week. At lunch, we collated the images to show to the rest of the group as part of a presentation. To finish the day, we had a short discussion about how the students had found the software, any issues, as well as things they'd picked up from their peers' work. The files were collated and sent to the collaborator for feedback. There were some issues with people missing the Friday due to work and illness; therefore, some of the renders produced could not be included in the submission. We will be looking to send an updated version on Monday if possible, giving the collaborator time to review before Tuesday.

Posted 16 May 2025 16:01

Group 09 / WINDOW INTO LINDOW

Jiayu L

Day 5 - Gate design

We made brave creations with branches and metal wires collected from the site, about the form of the gate, the shape, how the new material can be combined with the original wood.

The position of the gate, the shape of the combination, and the schematic effect will be refined in the coming sessions. The process was very interesting and interactive.

Posted 16 May 2025 15:59

Group 37 / ECO CHURCH

Ruizi Z

DAY 5 – Research and Publication
As our project moves forward, Day 5 was all about focused teamwork and working in parallel tracks.

Site Analysis and Sustainable Strategy
Some members focused on a deeper investigation of the United Didsbury Methodist Church. Building on earlier site visits and BREEAM research, they began analysing the building’s current condition in detail—looking at how different spaces function, identifying inefficiencies in energy use, spatial organisation, and material performance. This group also started outlining the key sustainability challenges the church faces and exploring context-specific strategies that could realistically be applied within the scope of our project.

Publication Development
Meanwhile, the others continued developing the structure and visual identity of our final publication. Working collaboratively, they began refining the layout, drafting initial pages, and exploring typography, colour palettes, and graphic formats.

Posted 16 May 2025 15:52

Group 21 / THE SHED AT THE LANDING

Mengjie L

Action Weeks: Day 5
Today, based on the feedback from our collaborator yesterday on the three designs and his main concerns, we have readjusted the design together. We drew different schemes on the whiteboard to discuss the possibility of the design. We combined the highlights of the three groups: the layout of the group 1, the flowing water roof of the group 2, and the coffee shop of the group 3. We used sustainable materials and determined the final design plan.
After determining the plan, we divided into two groups, one for SketchUp modeling and rendering, the other for the production of the master plan and other drawings.

Posted 16 May 2025 15:34

Group 18 / THE CANOPY COLLECTIVE

Eleanor Somerset W

Key takeaways from the consultation:

Community-centered design:
There was a strong desire amongst the attendees for the Chapel to become a social hub that served the community’s needs beyond housing.

Barriers to preservation:
Heritage preservation is often hindered by issues such as a lack of funding, different political ideologies, or misaligned priorities. In order for regeneration projects like the Waterbarn Chapel to succeed, there needs to be communication, honest conversations, collaboration, and a strong local network.

Cultural heritage:
One of the attendees at our community consultation said, "Heritage is not just something from the past—it affects us now." This encapsulated a recurring theme in our discussions. Heritage, both tangible and intangible, is just as much a reflection of our past as it is our present.

Posted 16 May 2025 15:24

Group 22 / URBAN EDEN

Bingqing X

Action week-day 4
Today our group members got together in the morning to discuss the final complete programme and finalise the design details. The group members then began to divide up the work of making the diagrams, some modelling, some making the master plan, and some beginning to plan the final publication

Posted 16 May 2025 15:03

Group 27 / SENSESCAPE

Yuran W

Day 5 – May 16th: Presenting and Reflecting

Today was a major milestone as we presented our progress from the week to the PINC students and Manchester Museum team. We shared the results of four days of collaboration: concepts, drawings, models and sensory ideas. Highlighting how the design evolved through research, play and teamwork.

The feedback we received was invaluable. The PINC students provided insights from the perspective of young users, while Museum staff encouraged us to refine the design from a practical and safety standpoint.

We rounded off the day (and week!) with a well-deserved pizza lunch with the team! : D

Posted 16 May 2025 14:59

Frances R

Day 5:
We spent the morning consolidating and digesting information from site and reviewing comments received from the community consultation. Having already made a start on designs, we reviewed these with the new information and thought of ways of adapting the proposals to best suit. We’ll continue this process on Monday and start refining the design as a team.
Great first week, well done everyone!

Posted 16 May 2025 14:48

Group 38 / CORE COMMUNITY ENERGY PROJECT

Eleanor Somerset W

We had a wonderful day in Bacup at our community consultation! We heard some amazing stories from residents and trustees of Valley Heritage who know the Chapel and community well. Our group shared some of our initial social housing concepts and strategies, which led to insightful discussions and feedback from attendees.

The consultation was invaluable, and after meeting with attendees, it became clear that our project needs to expand beyond social housing to support the larger community more. As we continue to develop our ideas, we will explore different ways of incorporating community-based spaces within our social housing scheme.

Posted 16 May 2025 14:43

Group 36 / ECOHUB HOUSE

Ozgenur S

Day 5:
End of the week.

We talked about the review meeting yesterday and made the final decisions about designs. Then We continued work on Physical Model all together.

Posted 16 May 2025 14:07

Yap ZH

Day 5 : Fully Loaded Friday

Following on from Thursday’s discussions, we kicked off the day by tidying everything up, setting a consistent font style, size, and colour scheme across the whole publication. Got to keep it looking sharp and professional!

We also decided to relocate to the breakout area at Geoffrey Manton. The room we were originally given (also in the same building) just wasn’t cutting it for group work; it was too cramped and didn't have the best vibe for teamwork. So, we made the executive decision to move to the ground floor, which was much more spacious and collaborative.

Once settled, we divided up the tasks and made sure everyone’s contributing at least one page for next week’s submission. Teamwork makes the dream work, after all!

And shout-out to Lisa, our brilliant Budget Controller, who came through with muffins and cookies to keep us fuelled. Working hard and snacking smart.

Posted 16 May 2025 13:28

Group 23 / THRIVE GARDEN

Eirini T

DAY 5 - TASK 6 + TASK 7
Detailed Design + Cost Budget

Continuing in the same groups established earlier, we moved into the detailed design phase, aiming to refine each element of the project with precision and practicality. Groups worked on identifying appropriate materials, construction methods, and spatial arrangements, considering durability, cost, and aesthetic value. After group discussions and votes, the most suitable solutions were selected and compiled to inform the 3D model.

Following this, we transitioned to Task 7, where we collectively developed a cost budget and bill of quantities. This involved estimating material costs, labour, and aligning with the client’s financial parameters and overall project timeline. Every student contributed to this stage, ensuring the costing was grounded in the design work and reflected a feasible, deliverable proposal. This process strengthened our understanding of real-world project management and the practical implications of our design choices.

Posted 16 May 2025 13:25

Group 21 / THE SHED AT THE LANDING

Zuzanna S

Action Weeks: Day 4

Today, we had a chance to present our three groups' proposals to our Collaborator, Nathan. Each group focused on different aspects of the brief. Group 1 presented an optimised layout and options for natural materials. Group 2 presented an innovative roof solution, placing water harvesting in the middle of the kitchen. Group 3 analysed the site and proposed zoning allowing for some private areas at The Landing. What is more, they proposed a two storey kitchen - workshop building on a 6 by 6 grid.
We received valuable feedback, which will help us prepare a final design in the upcoming days. Together, we also discussed the upcoming workshop involving volunteers, which will take place on Thursday.

Posted 16 May 2025 12:56

Group 38 / CORE COMMUNITY ENERGY PROJECT

Yap ZH

Day 4 : Presentation Day to the Client

After a solid brainstorming session and splitting up the work on Wednesday, we managed to pull the whole presentation together for our client. We used Google Slides, which turned out to be a lifesaver! It made things smoother for those working remotely, helped anyone who needed a bit more time, and gave us the flexibility to polish things up nicely.

We presented all our ideas, focusing on Victoria Baths, both the design scheme and the renewable energy systems. Then came the surprise! Our client, Alexander, dropped a bit of a bombshell. We’d always known there was a potential second site still under discussion, but it turned out AG Church Manchester (run by The Dandelion Community) was already fully budgeted and way more open and welcoming to fresh ideas.

After the meeting, we regrouped and decided to focus on both sites. Our new plan? To create a retrofit guide showcasing renewable energy strategies, both active and passive, tailored for listed buildings like Victoria Baths, and more modern but decent spaces like AG Church. This guide would act as a blueprint to demonstrate how CORE (Community Owned Renewable Energy) can be applied across different building types in the UK.

Posted 16 May 2025 12:50

Group 19 / WILD BROOK

Lucy H

DAY 5

Continuing from day four, on day five we started to organize our materials for placement into both the publication and the output booklet for the collaborators. Beginning to set out templates, render visuals and finalizing plans and elevations, we began addressing any gaps in our materials and discussing how best to fill these for the documents we need to produce. We are very excited to return next week and are keen continue with the final design work!

Posted 16 May 2025 12:42

Group 12 / CHADWICK DAM UNLOCKED

[Day 3] Reflection @Cheadle site

Hi, my name is Yasmin from BA1, teamed with Verde Vision. I really appreciated starting with the acupuncture workshop before visiting the site - It had allowed us to prepare what questions we could ask people from that data we had learned of the area. The site visit itself was really helpful in being able to visualise what we were really working with, but speaking with the clients of the gym was perhaps the best for our design development, albeit very nerve wracking, as ideas we hadn’t even thought of were brought forward or built upon. It had also helped me understand better the type of people going to the gym, that the acupuncture workshop hadn’t taught me - we were mostly speaking to parents with their kids or elderly clients, so we had to think more of how we could make our designs accessible to these groups in particular.

Posted 16 May 2025 12:30

Jacob H

Day 03: Developing and Finalising Designs

Today was all about pushing our design ideas forward and refining them into presentable outputs. Each group continued building on their concepts, translating sketches and plans into 3D models, visual renders, and collages. It was great to see ideas evolving into more tangible proposals.

Alongside the design work, we also began laying out our posters for the upcoming client presentation. This meant clearly communicating our design intentions while thinking about layout, visuals, and storytelling.
For many of us, today involved picking up new software skills—an intense but rewarding process as we learned by doing and supported each other through the technical challenges.

A really productive day overall as we prepare to present our first round of design proposals to the client!

Posted 16 May 2025 12:28