Group 10
REIMAGINGING WATERBARN CHAPEL

Our journey of reimagination begins at Waterbarn Chapel, a derelict ruin in Stacksteads, Bacup. Built in 1847, the chapel was partially burnt down in 2022, leaving the building structurally unsafe and open to the elements. Now a hive for criminal activity, the Chapel's condition brings discontent to the local residents. The team of Architecture and Adaptive Re-use students at Manchester School of Architecture aim to reimagine the Chapel as an affordable, emergency housing scheme. Through engaging with our collaborators, Valley Heritage, and local community groups, our aims to adapt and reuse the local Grade II listed landmark, retain its historic integrity and change its use (to provide affordable housing for those in need), will, in turn, reduce crime, improve the local environment for existing residents and improve land values.

Download Final Report

Adam H / Eleanor Somerset W / Ella M / Kim A / Tiree N / Zihao H

Tiree N
Hello! I'm Tiree. With a background in traditional architecture, I now study the MArch Masters of Architecture course at Manchester School of Architecture. The heritage project in Bacup …More
Posted 7 Mar 2025 18:07
Adam H
Hi! I'm Adam and I'm on the Master of Architecture course. I also work as a Part 1 in Manchester, with experience in conversions and new builds within the residential sector. My architectural …More
Posted 8 Mar 2025 11:33
Eleanor Somerset W
Hi! My name is Ellie, and I’m from the United States.

Before joining the MA Architecture and Adaptive Reuse program, I studied interior architecture at Rhode Island School of …More
Posted 8 Mar 2025 11:41
Kim A
Hello! I'm Kim and I'm currently study on the Master of Architecture Course.

Before studying at Manchester School of Architecture, I worked in a rural based practice in the Ribble …More
Posted 9 Mar 2025 19:09
Zihao H
Hello, I am Zihao Huang, an architecture student graduated from Guangzhou University and a current student of Architecture and Adaptive Reuse.

What I am most interested in is the …More
Posted 9 Mar 2025 20:21
Ella M
Hello,

I’m Ella an Interior Architecture graduate from Liverpool John Moores University and a current student of Architecture and Adaptive Reuse.

My main interest within architectural …More
Posted 10 Mar 2025 08:23
Eleanor Somerset W
We had a great first day of MSA Live! We began by introducing the BA1 and BA2 students to our partner Valley Heritage, the Waterbarn Chapel, and the town of Bacup - giving everyone …More
Posted 12 May 2025 12:01
Eleanor Somerset W
We had a very productive first day! Our model making team has started working on a site model of the Waterbarn Chapel and our site analysis team has been busy investigating the history …More
Posted 12 May 2025 15:21
Tiree N
We are planning a consultation with Bacup and Stacksteads community groups on Thursday 15th May. This will be a form of creative consultancy, prompting collective memory through old …More
Posted 13 May 2025 12:37
Eleanor Somerset W
Our team has been busy preparing for our community consultation event at Valley Heritage this Thursday. We developed a series of interactive activities and a questionnaire for attendees …More
Posted 13 May 2025 14:58
Eleanor Somerset W
The site analysis team conducted a thorough and reflective study of the Waterbarn Chapel’s historical significance and structure in relation to the site’s wider context and demographics. …More
Posted 14 May 2025 11:39
Eleanor Somerset W
The site analysis and model making teams presented their research findings and conclusions to the group at the end of day two.
Posted 14 May 2025 11:45
Eleanor Somerset W
The model-making team created a site model that features the Chapel - reconstructed to its original form - neighboring buildings, different access routes, and the existing graveyard. …More
Posted 14 May 2025 12:52
Eleanor Somerset W
The site analysis and model making teams presented their research findings and conclusions to the group at the end of day two.
Posted 14 May 2025 12:54
Eleanor Somerset W
Our redesign strategy for the chapel focuses on creating temporary housing solutions for individuals and families in need. Today, our team began sketching a range of spatial layouts, …More
Posted 14 May 2025 20:25
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 …More
Posted 16 May 2025 14:43
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 …More
Posted 16 May 2025 15:24
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
Posted 19 May 2025 14:50
Eleanor Somerset W
This afternoon, we focused on further refining our concept designs. Our group explored different strategies for integrating social housing and community spaces - emphasizing flexible …More
Posted 19 May 2025 15:24
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 …More
Posted 20 May 2025 15:38
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 …More
Posted 20 May 2025 15:39
Eleanor Somerset W
Our group is finalizing our design concept and preparing detailed sketches, collages, plans, elevations, renderings, and a site model to show Valley Heritage this Friday!
Posted 21 May 2025 15:19
Eleanor Somerset W
We have been working on perspective sketches of the community marketplace and garden, and design iterations of the third-floor social housing addition.
Posted 21 May 2025 15:20
Eleanor Somerset W
Sneak peek! We are putting the final touches on our design proposal and presentation. We are looking forward to sharing our ideas and outputs with Valley Heritage tomorrow!
Posted 22 May 2025 15:41
Eleanor Somerset W
We had a fantastic time sharing our final design concept with Jo from Valley Heritage this morning! It’s been a pleasure collaborating with Valley Heritage on design concepts for …More
Posted 23 May 2025 12:27
Eleanor Somerset W
Perspective renderings of the proposed community marketplace and garden
Posted 23 May 2025 12:29
Eleanor Somerset W
Detailed plans of the community marketplace and social housing

Axonometric of the steel-structure walkway within the community marketplace

Perspective drawing of the marketplace and garden
Posted 23 May 2025 12:31
Eleanor Somerset W
A well deserved pizza party to celebrate MSA Live!
Posted 23 May 2025 13:06