Group 13
WHAT IF?

We are working closely with What if?. They're a fast moving and grass roots urban consultancy firm based in Stockport, taking in disused council buildings on the basis of generating ideas about how to repurpose them into social and democratic hot spots that give back into their communities. With a people first approach they stand as socially motivatived outliers in a field that is rapidly developing into a profit centred industry. Above all else, they always stand to ask the question, What if? Our collaborators would like the students at MSA to help them continue asking this question. Over the course of our action weeks we'll be designing a range of low-tech initiatives to help activate the area around What If?'s community hub; think urban farming, wayfinding, markets, play... This will culminate in the production of a 10-year vision for the site and beyond, showing where these low-tech interventions and ideas could be used all around Stockport and beyond. We won't just be designing; we'll be debating, researching, engaging and most of all having fun! Find out more about our collaborators here: https://linktr.ee/msalive2025_whatif

Akeefah T / Alexander A / Chennan Y / Max F / Tianxiang X

Alexander A
Hey, I’m Alex (he/they)

I’m a MArch 1 student in Continuity, an atelier I was drawn to due to its highly pragmatic, grounded and contextual approach to Architecture. I did my BArch at the University of Nottingham, where I particularly focused on inclusive education and housing, as well as adaptive design.

I did my Part 1 at WW+P Architects (formerly Weston Williamson), and continue to work there part time whilst I complete my degree. My work there on the Residential Mixed-Use team is predominantly focused on social housing and civic buildings, and I also get involved with education programmes like Open City’s Accelerate.

What If? particularly appealed to me as I have learnt the value of community is so important, particularly whilst working on social housing projects. What If? Is an exciting proposal to reuse a historically valuable local building and give it community value. It also ties into a bigger vision for the redevelopment of the region, promoting resilience for the existing and future communities.

A skill I bring to the team is my ability to quickly adapt to new situations and challenges, allowing me to get stuck into a short project, like in the upcoming Action Weeks.
Posted 10 Mar 2025 15:02
Max F
Hi everyone, I'm Max.
I’m currently in my first year of March and in the Continuity Atelier. Before this, I completed my BArch at the University of Newcastle. After that, I spent a year on placement in South Africa, where I worked on several large-scale office-to-residential retrofits and urban regeneration masterplans. Following my time there, I spent another year in London working with the firm Howells (formerly Glenn Howells), an AJ100 firm, where I focused on large-scale residential schemes and masterplans both in the UK and across Europe.

My group, Group 13, is working with the Company What if? They are led by a very dynamic and engaging team that have already introduced the MArch Students to a variety of Architects, Landscape Architects, Council delegates, Town Planners and Historians around Stockport who we can continue to work with throughout this project. The brief Is currently very open, but looking at structuring a program for sustainable retro fit to produce community centred buildings is something I’m really interested in and something I think could really standout in a interview portfolio.

A skill I bring to the team is that “I don’t deal in if buts or maybe’s, I deal in absolutes” equally to further this, when working on this project “I want everyone to go out there, enjoy it, but be fucking disciplined with it”. Channelling my ideologies into my digital workflow and team communications is crucial in allowing myself to add moderate, up to significant levels of additional value to any group work dynamic.
Posted 10 Mar 2025 15:12
Chennan Y
Hi, I'm Chennan. (He/Him)

I’m currently in MA Architecture and Adaptive Reuse. I studied my undergraduate degree here at MSA.

I have two work experiences, one as an intern in an interior design company working on residential design projects and one as the personal assistant to the general manager of a green technology company.

I chose to be a part of ‘What if’ because joining this group will allow me to have the opportunity to work with a diverse team to contribute to sustainable development and social well-being.

Unique Skill: I will be able to focus on environmentally friendly design solutions suitable for human use.
Posted 10 Mar 2025 15:19
Akeefah T
Hi I'm Akeefah ! (She/ Her)

I am in the & Architecture Atelier and studied my undergraduate degree here at MSA. The atelier & focus on creating common spaces, spaces which are inclusive and encourage diversity. I’ve always enjoyed designing socially cohesive and resilient spaces.

I did my Part 1 at AEW Architects, and I enjoyed it because it was very people driven. I got to experience alternative ways to use CAD and Revit and worked in the retail team. I was involved in many projects at different scales, ranging from commercial office spaces to small refurbishment projects.

Why What if? ... Because it provides a realistic insight into designing feasible spaces that can also increase community cohesion.

Unique Skill – I love communicating and presenting, because you get to express ideas and experiment with software like InDesign etc. I also found that I love talking which helps too!
Posted 10 Mar 2025 15:25
Tianxiang X
Hey, I'm Xu Tianxiang (he/they)

I'm an MA student specializing in Adaptive Reuse, driven by its potential to merge sustainability with creative transformations of existing structures. My BArch from the University of Architecture focused on Environmental Design (Interior), where I cultivated a passion for adaptive strategies in historic spaces.

Before the MArch program, I co-led a church renovation project, tackling challenges like preserving heritage while integrating modern interior solutions that comply with regulations. This experience honed my ability to balance historical value with functional innovation.

What excites me most about adaptive reuse is its dual power to reduce environmental waste and preserve cultural narratives. I believe this approach can create architecture that actively benefits both communities and ecosystems.

My key skills include collaborating with diverse stakeholders, conducting deep research to inform design choices, and adapting ideas across disciplines. I’m particularly eager to explore circular design techniques in our projects.

Thrilled to join this group – ready to contribute my expertise and learn from all of you as we build meaningful solutions together!
Posted 10 Mar 2025 15:32
Max F
THE COLLABORATOR

What if? is a fast moving and grass roots urban consultancy firm. Their interest lye in taking in disused council buildings on the basis of generating ideas about how to repurpose them into social and democratic hot spots that give back into their communities. With a people first approach they stand as socially motivative outliers in a field that is rapidly developing into a profit centred industry. Above all else, they always stand to ask the question, What if?
Posted 10 Mar 2025 15:36
Tianxiang X
🌱 MSA Live: Edgeley Resilience Project

A community-led experiment to reimagine forgotten spaces through low-tech solutions and hyper-local collaboration.

Core Focus

Wayfinding & Connection
Urban Farming + Micro-Market
Community-Built Instruments
10-Year Vision Map: Layer social connections + climate adaptations over the neighborhood
"First Intervention": A visible, playful installation to spark pride (e.g., painted pathways)

Get Involved
#EdgeleyRebuilds #PeopleNotBlueprints #GrowTogether
Partners: Stockport Council, Resilient Cities Network, Grow Edgeley
Posted 10 Mar 2025 15:38
Alexander A
Over the two weeks our main aim, alongside our ambitions, is to have fun and learn new skills.
We will not only visit the site and meet our collaborator, but we'll engage with the local community at a consultation event held at What If?'s community hub during the first week.
We're also hoping to visit a similar, highly successful, project in the heart of Manchester (more details to be confirmed) and see if we can apply any of this in Stockport.
We'll be analysing and critiquing existing proposals for the regeneration of the area and counter-mapping.
We'll be quickly getting to know the local, making sure that our final vision is ambitious, exciting, but most importantly hyper-local and for the community in which we are working.
At the end of the action weeks we'll have worked collaboratively to produce a vision for site and wider area. This will involve designing, debating, researching and ambitious thinking.
Posted 10 Mar 2025 15:40
Akeefah T
"Exciting First Site Visit!"

It was wonderful to connect with individuals from Stockport Council, the Resilient Cities Network, Planit, and Shedkm. Our goal was to understand what this project could mean for the community while exploring ideas on how we can foster greater collaboration.
Posted 10 Mar 2025 15:42
Akeefah T
A 'Hi' from us and the collaborators!

Quick morning meeting with us and the collaborator to share ideas on the upcoming 'What If' brief and design strategies!
Posted 10 Mar 2025 15:42
Akeefah T
"Sharing a Walk and Talk with What If’s Partners"

A collaborative walk and talk with What If’s partners provided a more immersive understanding of the site and its potential.

Posted 10 Mar 2025 15:54
Akeefah T
With a focus on sustainability, this initiative is more than just revitalising buildings—it’s about strengthening connections, fostering local resilience, and creating a future where communities thrive together.
Posted 10 Mar 2025 15:55
Akeefah T
In the heart of Stockport, What If is a hidden space with the potential to become a resilient and thriving community hub. Tucked away behind a busy main road, it’s time to bring it back onto the map!
Posted 10 Mar 2025 15:59