Group 07
TYLDESLEY SPARK

Our project aims to ‘spark’ high street regeneration in Tyldesley Conservation Area through the restoration of historic shopfronts. The focus of this project is to transform a historic, abandoned high street shop into retail space on the ground floor and social housing on the first floor. The property also features a courtyard with stables to the rear, ripe with community potential. Through public engagement and on-site surveys, we hope to create a concept that serves the local community through social and economic growth. We aim to produce visuals and CAD drawings of an adaptive reuse scheme that will potentially be used by the client to secure funding and planning permission for the vision, meaning our work can have a real-world impact.

Harley F / Ibrahim Z / Jichuan D / Pinyi F / Taras M / Yufei S

Pinyi F
Name: Pinyi Fu
Course: MA Architecture & Adaptive Reuse

It is my first year in Manchester. After I finished my bachelor of forest degree in Vancouver, I did a four-month internship at a construction company. And then I worked as an assistant for interior designer for one year. I will bring my passion and skills into any group work.

I have a total interest in dance and music, which led me to get involved in relevant clubs during my undergraduate studies, which added a lot of fun to my life.

I chose this group in order to gain more experience of collaboration related to real projects and to understand the policies and regulations related to the conversion of buildings in the UK context.

Posted 9 Mar 2025 19:06
Yufei S
Name: Yufei Song
Course: MArch 1
Atelier: & Architecture

Hi everyone, I'm Fei from northern China, studying MArch in the & Atelier.
I completed my bachelor's degree in architecture, and my educational background and my work experience are all from China, focusing on projects in northern severely cold regions. This is my first year studying in Manchester, I'm looking forward to the new experiences and perspectives this opportunity will bring!
I'm particularly passionate about innovative design solutions that respond to environmental challenges. I'm excited to work with everyone on the Tyldesley project, embracing its collaborative approach and focus on real-world impacts.
Posted 9 Mar 2025 23:45
Jichuan D
Name: Jichuan Ding
Course: Architecture and adaptive reuse

I completed my Bachelor's Degree in Architectural Engineering in June 2019 in China and have been working for 4 years. During the four years of professional work experience I have accumulated, I have frequently travelled to building construction sites to conduct inspections and witnessed projects from initial conception to final completion. This practical experience has enabled me to assess the feasibility and innovative nature of projects. In addition, I qualified as a Class Ⅱ Registered Architect with technical knowledge in building structures, sustainability, materials, fire services and indoor environments.
I have a special interest in the practice of adaptive reuse and am committed to integrating the concept of sustainability into the conservation of historic buildings. Through rational structural reinforcement, material selection and spatial optimisation, I hope to revitalise the building while respecting its original character, bringing new social and economic value to the local community.
I am very excited to join this heritage restoration project. I hope to continue to learn through teamwork and work with everyone to explore ways to preserve heritage while incorporating modern needs for the Tyldesley community and creating a sustainable built environment.
Posted 10 Mar 2025 02:38
Harley F
Name: Harley Freeman
Course: MArch 1
Atelier: Infrastructure Space

I am particularly interested in architectural heritage, and how we can preserve it through adaptive reuse schemes. My professional experience and time at the MSA, have given me the necessary skills required for real-world projects like ‘Tyldesley Spark’.

I received my bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Nottingham, where I developed skills such as: AutoCAD, Sketchup, Adobe Suite, Midjourney and rendering engines. After completing my undergraduate degree, I worked for a small practice based in London called ‘Architect That’, where I contributed to a mix of residential and commercial projects focusing on adaptive reuse. This fuelled my passion for historic architecture, which I am excited to build upon throughout this project.

I chose this MSA Live project as it aligns with my interests in heritage and adaptive reuse. The potential for our work to be realized is something that attracted me. The collaborators at Tyldesley CIC are friendly and enthusiastic to make a change, something I would like to be a part of.
Posted 10 Mar 2025 10:44
Ibrahim Z
Name: Ibrahim ZIVRALI
Course: MA Architecture & Adaptive Reuse

I earned my Civil Engineering degree at Kırıkkale University, Turkey, followed by a master's in Structural Engineering. For 18 years, I worked on the restoration and conservation of historic buildings, applying engineering expertise to sustainable heritage preservation.

Now, I am pursuing a second master's in Architecture and Adaptive Reuse at the Manchester School of Architecture. This allows me to merge my structural strengthening and restoration experience with adaptive reuse strategies, exploring efficient building transformations.

My interests include material reuse, structural adaptation, and the sustainable repurposing of historic buildings. By integrating engineering and architectural perspectives, I develop a comprehensive approach to adaptive reuse.

I chose this group for its potential to enhance the urban and social dimensions of historic building reuse. I continue to explore adaptive reuse's role in cultural and social sustainability.
Posted 10 Mar 2025 13:21
Taras M
Name: Taras Mandziuk
Course: MArch 1
Atelier: Infrastructure Space

I studied Architecture & Planning at the University of the West of England, graduating with both RIBA and RTPI accreditations, meaning I am qualified to work as both a Part I Architectural Assistant and an Urban Designer/Town Planner.

After graduating, I worked for 18 months as a Part I Architectural Assistant at BoonBrown; a medium sized practice in Somerset working in multiple sectors, including residential, retail, medical, and industrial projects.

My key interests are in community-centric architecture and urban regeneration projects. My work experience gave me an opportunity to develop professional skills within these interests on real-world projects, and now in my atelier at MSA, I am further developing my skills and interests.

I chose this MSA Live project as it is a great opportunity to actively engage in a scheme that will likely be built, and that will serve as a template for future development along Tyldesley High Street. I think my skills will be very useful to the group, and I believe that this project could potentially become a model for future urban regeneration schemes in other areas of decline.
Posted 10 Mar 2025 17:33
Taras M
Name: Lucy Zivrali
Course: Dog
Atelier: Emotional Support

Meet Lucy, Tyldesley Spark's official mascot.

She's a critical member of the team who's skills are particularly useful for surveying the site.
Posted 10 Mar 2025 17:55
Harley F
Posted 10 Mar 2025 18:07
Taras M
Getting to site...

Tyldesley lies just beyond the outskirts of Greater Manchester.

Conveniently, the V2 bus runs directly from outside Manchester Technology Centre to Tyldesley High Street and takes about 40 minutes.

We can cover the cost of your site visit if you use this method!

Posted 10 Mar 2025 20:31
Harley F
Meeting the Collaborators

We are collaborating with Tyldesley CIC, an organisation that intends to develop a prosperous and attractive community, retain and promote heritage, and ensure the sustainable future of Tyldesley and its historic buildings within.

Collaborators Website: https://fortyldesley.co.uk/
Posted 10 Mar 2025 20:47
Taras M
Part of a wider initiative...

Our project sits within a wider effort to regenerate Tyldesly High Street, which over time has seen low-quality shopfronts and businesses find their way into the conservation area.

Our scheme (highlighted orange) sits centrally amongst a number of sites highlighted by Historic England (blue) as opportunities for projects to restore the high street to its Victorian roots.
Posted 10 Mar 2025 20:56
Taras M
First site visit...

We met on-site with the collaborator to discuss the project, and conduct a LIDAR survey of the existing building.

Although showing signs of being unoccupied for 15 years, the building is in much better condition than we had initially thought, and the client talked us through their requirements for the renovation. We were also able meet the prospective tenant that will occupy the retail unit upon completion, so there are multiple layers to consider when designing the adaptive reuse scheme.

To the rear of the building is a courtyard and former stable building which are accessible from the street. It is clear that these have lots of potential, and as the collaborator is keen to see ideas for how this space could be converted into an exciting, community-based initiative.
Posted 10 Mar 2025 21:00
Yufei S
Tyldesley High Street Shopfronts — Reviving Victorian Charm
Posted 26 Mar 2025 11:19