MSA Live 25

Hi, this is Zoe.

I am in the FLUX atelier for MArch 1 and completed my Part I studies at the University of Nottingham. Before joining the Manchester School of Architecture, I spent about a year in Taiwan, gaining work experience in both residential and commercial buildings.

I am particularly interested in community projects that bring people together, allowing them to share their interests and explore creativity. Architecture has inspired me in many ways, both in life and academics. During my free time, I enjoy travelling and drawing inspiration from astonishing architecture around the world. This passion connects two of my personal interests. Beyond architecture, I enjoy meeting friends or simply brewing a nice cup of coffee and savouring my personal time.

Really looking forward to this exciting project and the upcoming brainstorming weeks.

Posted 7 Mar 2025 11:27

Chenyi Z

Hi, this is Chenyi.

I am currently studying in the Architecture and Adaptive Reuse Studio, pursuing a postgraduate degree. Prior to this, I studied landscape design in Tianjin, China, and gained experience in landscape design.

I am very interested in community projects. I hope to create an equal and open social place for people to escape from high-pressure work and study, and get a breath here, while being able to make more friends. Usually, I am very happy to make friends with different personalities, and I look forward to working with you on projects and becoming friends! In addition, I am also very interested in football and often watch games. If you also have this hobby, I believe we can communicate and cooperate happily!

I am really looking forward to working with you!

Posted 7 Mar 2025 14:22

Ryan DR

Hi, I'm Ryan, a Master of Architecture student currently in the Infrastructure Space Atelier. I completed my BA (Hons) in Architecture at Hull School of Architecture, graduating with first-class honours and receiving a nomination for the RIBA Bronze Award. During my undergraduate studies, I researched the influence of phenomenology on Steven Holl's design processes and critical thinking, which helped shape my approach to architecture today.

My interests include exploring how large language models (LLMs) can be integrated into architectural workflows to improve efficiency in documentation, CAD processes, and feasibility studies. I've developed a solid skill set including Vectorworks, AutoCAD, Rhino3D & Grasshopper, a multitude of Adobe products, and various programming languages. I've already gained experience working on residential and commercial projects, and I'm looking forward to collaborating with others during MSA Live, where I hope to continue developing innovative architectural solutions that merge technology with thoughtful design approaches.

Posted 9 Mar 2025 14:17

Manish Manojbhai P

Hi, this is Manish.

I’m M.Arch 1 student at MSA, studying in atelier Some Kind of Nature. I completed my bachelors from Manipal School of Architecture, India. After graduation, I gained work experience for a year where I mostly worked on residential and commercial projects.

Apart from Architecture, I love outdoor activities and always up for playing sports especially volleyball and cricket. I’m really excited to work on this MSA live project, since it can help us develop an understanding of how community engages with the space that we create and how it improves the image of that street.

I look forward to working with my team and making this a fun collaborative project.

Posted 9 Mar 2025 14:17

Hi Everyone, I am Merly Sara Wilson currently doing the Adaptive reuse program offered by MSA. I have completed my bachelors of architecture from College of Architecture Trivandrum from Kerala, after which I gained experience in various architectural companies both in India and Middle East within a year. I have gained work experience having done commercial and residential projects in these respective countries which helped me develop a context based design ideas and analogies.
I think architecture should be fun and my favorite part about it is the ideation and the collaboration phase. I love the feeling of being a part of something big which makes me most interested in community related projects that could help them in a longer run, creating a sense of oneness within the community.
Apart from architecture I also involve myself in painting and reading. I also love travelling and exploring different art and architecture of the world. All of which seems to have helped me in my architectural visualization journey.
I look forward to the MSA live collaboration, hoping that it will help us create ideal and practical architectural solutions.
Exited to meet with you all soon!!!

Posted 9 Mar 2025 16:00

Hi, I’m Alexandra!

I’m an MArch 1 student in the [CPU]ai atelier, having also completed my BA (Hons) at MSA with first-class honors (CPU girl through and through!). My work currently focuses on adaptive reuse, and my experience across various sectors in practice has deepened my passion for AI in architecture, emerging biomaterials, and sustainability initiatives.

Beyond architecture, I’m inspired by art, photography, and travel, always looking for ways to embed climate action into my work. I’m particularly interested in AI’s role in sustainability, exploring how it can drive low-carbon design and more engaging architecture, and I'm also excited to develop my digital skills while supporting others as part of the ADD team.

I also love visual storytelling—whether through graphic design, photography, or interactive media—and can’t wait to explore how these elements shape our MSA Live project together!

Posted 9 Mar 2025 23:53

Ryan DR

Situated just a couple of minutes' walk from St. Helens station, the site sits on the corner of two streets, aptly named 'Street and a Half'. The opportunity here offers near complete freedom to reinvent the existing space, either digitally or physically. As a town, St. Helens has a deep cultural identity for the locals, so any engagement (or lived experience) with the space must be meaningful to the local people, bringing them in to be a part of the high streets they hope to reinvigorate.

Posted 10 Mar 2025 09:22

Find more about the project here!

You can see the live progress on the brief and the key details, context, partnerships and objectives for Street and a Half from the collaborators! At its core, we as a team want to ensure that the project delivers real, tangible benefits to the St Helens community through SnA.

Access our presentation through the following link, or paste into your browser: https://prezi.com/view/oZ9MRc6jwUdMWZjt6SSR/

Posted 12 Mar 2025 15:03

Meet our collaborators!

Claire Weetman is a visual artist in St Helens and one of our key people for the project. Claire has also expressed interest for the one of the tenancies for creative businesses at Street and a Half!

Christine Spriggs is the Kindred Place Lead, and main coordinator for the Street and a Half vision.

Key Partners for Street and a Half are St Helens Borough Council (SHBC), with Anthony Burns as Leader/Councillor; Kindred LLC, with Helen Heap as Deputy Chair of Kindred, and the Liverpool City Region’s social economy network.

Join out team to make the collaborators' dream come true and deliver real, tangible benefits to Street and a Half and the surrounding communities of St Helen!

Posted 12 Mar 2025 15:38

What’s Next for Street and a Half:

After a great discussion with Claire and Christine, we’re excited about the next steps for the project!

We’re now shaping up the schedule for our upcoming action weeks, planning activities that will help us explore, create, and collaborate in meaningful ways. From workshops to hands-on experiments, we’re eager to dive into the creative process and bring our ideas to life.

Most of all, we can’t wait to meet and work together with you - sharing ideas, sparking conversations, and making the most of this incredible opportunity!

Stay tuned for more updates as things take shape.

Posted 12 Mar 2025 15:51

We can’t wait to meet you all! 🎉

Here’s the game plan for our two weeks together as we dive into the MSA Live project soon!

Posted 6 Apr 2025 20:49

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chenyi Z

Day 8 - Physical Model Making

Based on the basic model developed earlier, the BArch students used machines in the B.15workshop to make a more detailed physical model and give it actual colors. This method can better explain the idea of the project and how it can give new life to the abandoned area.
At the same time, they were more focused and active throughout the project closing stage, and we felt their enthusiasm for the project.

Posted 22 May 2025 19:57

Chenyi Z

Day 8 - Physical Model Making

After finishing the assembly of the model, the BArch students also processed the details of the model. They used corresponding colors to highlight the different functions of different areas. In order to better and more clearly express their specific ideas for the project.
At the same time, during the whole project closing stage, they were more focused and active, and we felt their enthusiasm for the project.

Posted 22 May 2025 19:58

Day 9 - Final touches & Client Meeting

Thursday was all about final touches and a big push to finish the outputs and presentations of each group ahead of the meeting with Claire, on behalf of Kindred. She was genuinely excited by the three proposals, and how they all share themes of community, Instagram-friendly appeal, and ties with the glassmaking heritage of St Helens.

Our BA students did a fantastic job presenting their ideas, showing the work they've developed over the past two Action Weeks. It was a great opportunity to build their confidence and communication skills.

As we wrapped up, Claire's feedback was that we were successful in our approach - bringing a meaningful balance between younger and artistic communities!

Posted 23 May 2025 16:38

Day 9 – End of Project Celebration!

After our client meeting, we wrapped up A Street and a Half with a well-deserved celebration - and what better way than with pizza! Our BAs loved it during the team-building lunch on Day 1, so it only felt right to finish as we started: with good food and great conversations.

This project has been such a valuable opportunity for both undergrads and postgrads to share ideas, learn from each other, and create something meaningful. We’re proud of the work we’ve done, and we'll definitely keep close next year!

Posted 23 May 2025 16:56

Day 10 - Publication time!

Last day for our MSA Live group, and us MArch and MAAR students are wrapping up the publication for print and submissions, as well as reflecting on our journey on these two weeks, communicating with the client, and coordinating the BA's.

Posted 23 May 2025 17:03