MSA Live 25

MArch 1, Infrastructure Space

Hey! I’m Laura, a MArch 1 student in the Infrastructure Space atelier. I completed my BA at MSA and am excited to continue my journey here!

I’m particularly interested in large-scale land management and the ways design can shape landscapes to be more functional, immersive, and meaningful. I love creating narratives through design—whether that means reimagining how spaces evolve over time or crafting environments that tell a deeper story. Sustainability plays a huge role in this, ensuring that the places we design don’t just serve people but support all species that inhabit them.

In my free time, I love getting lost in hands-on creative work—carving linocut prints, giving stick-and-poke tattoos, or simply spending time in nature. I find inspiration in organic forms, textures, and the patterns found in the natural world, which often influence my creative work both in and outside of architecture.

Posted 9 Mar 2025 22:10

MArch 1, Continuity

Hey! I’m Gabriel, and I am a March 1 student studying in the atelier Continuity. I completed my undergrad at Leeds Beckett University and excited to continue my studies in Manchester.

I’ve always been interested in the architectural language of adaptive reuse projects, especially the juxtaposing language of the old and the new. I think it’s important to celebrate the existing layers of the history of the building, and also allowing the imperfections of the past to shine through its design. This is why I wanted to engage with this project as it is holistic with my beliefs as the buildings in Bradford contain a deep relationship with the evolution of the town and needs to be resurfaced to the diverse community.

I have a keen eye for the small details in things, which perfectly translates into my love for photography, films and sketching. In some of my free time, I enjoy being active outside of the studio, like training in volleyball, keeping fit in the gym and also reading books to inspire my creativity towards my design in architecture.

Posted 9 Mar 2025 22:10

Junyi L

MA Architecture and Adaptive Reuse

Hi, I’m Junyi Liu from China, currently pursuing a Master’s in Architecture and Adaptive Reuse at the Manchester School of Architecture, with a focus on heritage conservation and reuse. With two years of experience in landscape architecture and project work in interaction design—such as sound visualization and spatial interactivity—I aim to integrate my previous expertise into new projects, bringing practical insights and creative approaches to the process.

I’m particularly interested in the Bradford Festival planning project as it offers a unique opportunity to engage with diverse cultural communities. The interactive nature of city festivals aligns closely with my research interests, especially in enhancing user experiences through thoughtful design. Additionally, this project allows me to explore innovative ways to activate cultural heritage within different cultural contexts.

Posted 9 Mar 2025 22:15

Ziyang Z

MA Architecture and Adaptive Reuse

Hey! I’m Ziyang Zhou, a MA student in Architecture and Adaptive Reuse
. I am excited to continue my study in MSA!

I am particularly interested in repurposing and shaping architectural and spatial approaches that can make existing buildings more sustainable and more adaptable to different users and needs. I like to think about how people think about reuse and urban development in different cultural contexts and different urban forms. Places and memories are important to me in my thinking and design process, which helps us to connect the past with the future, while preserving the local character and culture.

At other times, I love the outdoors, whether it's hiking or sitting in the park, I enjoy these times of being close to nature. When I'm at home, I like to play with Lego and some video games. All these can give me some design inspiration. I also enjoy sports, swimming or basketball, the dopamine from these activities makes me happy!

Posted 9 Mar 2025 22:21

MArch Year 1, &Atelier

Hi! I’m Shreya, a MArch 1 student in the &Atelier. I studied undergraduate at the Amity School of Architecture and Planning in India.

I’m passionate about community-driven architecture, drawing inspiration from my background in India to design spaces that foster relationships between people. The Bradford Takeover project excites me because it aligns with my interest in connecting people with their heritage in playful, engaging ways. I see architecture as a tool to bridge cultures, species and the environment and create sustainable and mindful commons.

Beyond architecture, I like exploring new Hobbies like Hiking, Urban Sketching, running, cycling, boxing, wood carving, photography, and creative writing, anything that gets me out of my comfort zone and builds new memories. I love long conversations, small walks and little crazy adventures.

Posted 9 Mar 2025 22:29

Jirong P

MArch 1, Some Kind of Nature

Hello :) I’m Jirong. I am a student at Atelier SKN and completed my undergraduate studies at Newcastle University.

Since my undergraduate years, I have been deeply passionate about the revival of urban culture. I believe that a city’s cultural appeal isn’t defined by its size or population, and Bradford 2025 exemplifies this as a vibrant and ambitious project. Being a part of such an initiative allows everyone to immerse themselves in this dynamic atmosphere!

In addition to the architectural software skills, I enjoy expressing my ideas through hand drawing and creating physical models. I truly appreciate the "work in progress" process, as it enables me to experience a project in greater detail and depth.

Posted 10 Mar 2025 01:15

Day 0: Exploring Bradford: A Site Visit That Sparked Our Vision

Our recent visit to Bradford marked a turning point in the development of our project. The route we took, thoughtfully curated by Jade Jade Ibegbuna, our collaborator from The City Council, took us on a journey through some of the city’s most iconic historic buildings—and left us inspired to create a similar experience for the wider public.
As we moved through these incredible spaces, we were struck by how many of Bradford’s residents might not even know they are welcome to explore them. This realisation became a key part of our motivation: to design an experience that invites people to rediscover their city and feel a sense of belonging in its remarkable heritage sites.

The city is experiencing a cultural renaissance, embracing its diversity, youthful population, and rich artistic heritage. Bradford’s strength lies in its people—one of the most diverse communities in the UK, where cultures, languages, and traditions come together to form a vibrant social fabric. It’s this diversity that makes the city so dynamic and full of creative potential, and it’s central to the story we want to tell through this project.

We visited Bradford Live, currently undergoing renovation and due to reopen soon—we were incredibly lucky to get a glimpse inside before its official launch, thanks to Christophe. We also explored the Media Museum (with Dean), the Alhambra Theatre (with Laura and Penny), and City Hall (with Len). Each building offered a glimpse into the city's rich architectural heritage and the care that went into shaping its identity.

More reflections on each building (and the amazing people who guided us) coming soon—huge thanks to Jade, Rachel, Christophe, Dean, Laura, Penny, Len, Jamie, and everyone who joined our community roundtable.

Posted 10 Mar 2025 20:13

Ziyang Z

Bradford City of Culture: RISE

Bradford 2025 is the centrepiece event for Bradford as the UK's City of Culture, an event that combines art, culture, history and modern creativity. It not only pays homage to Bradford's history and cultural traditions, but also injects new vitality and unlimited possibilities into the city through its diverse activities and innovative programming.

The opening show “Rise” featured 200-strong cast, including professional performers and the people of Bradford. Dynamo (Steven Frayne, who is Bradford-born), kicked off the event with a mix of magic to celebrate the magic of Bradford, as well as music and aerial stunts. The Dreams I Had,” a theater project honouring playwright Andrea Dunbar, explores the impact of local theater. “Bassline Symphony” A fusion of classical and Bassline House music, showcasing Bradford's unique musical culture. “Bradford Progress” creates a dynamic musical journey through sound and community connection, while ‘Memories of the Future’, choreographed by Akram Khan, combines dancers to showcase the future and cross-cultural exchange.

With "Rise", not only enhance the city's cultural impact, but also promotes economic growth and community integration. Bradford 2025 will be a feast for the eyes and the soul that should not be missed as it reinvigorates the city through historic restoration, artistic innovation, and community engagement, showcasing Bradford's unique cultural landscape to the world.

There is a great half an hour documentary of the event, capturing the background of the initial launch. Please follow the link if you would like to get more context of the event!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0026z4c

Posted 10 Mar 2025 21:17

Meet Our Collaborator!

Hi everyone, please meet our lovely MSA collaborator for this project, Jade!

"Hi, I’m Jade Ibegbuna, Head of Cultural Partnerships at Bradford Council. I have the pleasure of working with so many incredible cultural and community groups across the district whilst enabling projects (such as this one) to innovatively amplify our Bradford story. I am a proud Bradfordian, passionate about changemaking and I’m also a Clore Fellow 2025: https://bit.ly/43M3vBC

Working as a collaborator on MSA Live is an absolute joy as I get to work with amazingly talented minds and creative energy – the passion, care and imagination that the students show for Bradford shines through and is reflected throughout their designs. Bradford 2025 is the UK ‘City of Culture’ so this year’s MSA Live designs are being created at a pivotal moment in Bradford’s history.

MSA Live is a fantastic programme, fantastic students and a fantastic team – I am very much looking forward to what this year brings."

Posted 15 Mar 2025 13:59

Day 1 - 12.05.25 - Let the Takeover Begin!

It was great seeing the rest of the team on the first day of action week! The MArch and MAR presented the project brief for the Bradford Takeover event, an introduction to Bradford's urban context, the importance of unifying the diverse 30 wards, and the design intentions for our festival event in the city.

We then did a quick icebreaker game to help introduce the team to key aspects of a festival. Soon after, we began doing an initial site analysis of Bradford's urban context to gain initial insights before the site visit on Tuesday.

Written by- Gabriel Tallara

Posted 14 May 2025 21:23

Day 1 - 12.05.25 – Icebreaker

We did a quick icebreaker to help introduce everyone to the project brief. The key driver to this project is the preparation for a big festival to celebrate Bradford's historic development and the cultural diversity of the 30 wards in the district. So, we asked everyone to draw a key event that can take place in a festival, and we would pass that drawing to the next person and develop it further.

The key events people highlighted are stalls, food, or items that allow others to understand and connect to the cultural diversity of the people in Bradford. This is followed by entertainment, music, or performance and then by the fun activities that can be hosted.

Written by- Gabriel Tallara

Posted 14 May 2025 21:25

Day 1 - 12.05.25 – Mapping Tutorials and Site Analysis

Before the site visit, the team did some initial research on the urban context of Bradford, particularly into the culture and infrastructure. In tandem, the MAR students has provided tutorials for the team to create informative maps visually by looking at precedents and showcasing the process of making site maps. These processes include key websites' recommendations to find information and software guidance and tips. The key areas we tried to highlight are the historic buildings with a rich history of Bradford's past: the Town Hall, Bradford Live, Alhambra and many more. These buildings will be the key to telling the story of Bradford's development within our festival game.

For key infrastructures, we investigated the key routes and circulation of how people enter and explore the city, the green spaces within the city centre, and ethnic diversity. These will allow us to explore the wayfinding element within our design and find ways to attract individuals from the outskirts of Bradford to the city centre.

Written by- Ziyang Zhou and Gabriel Tallara

Posted 14 May 2025 21:28

Day 2 – 13.05.25 – Bradford and Saltaire Visit

Today, we had the luck of bringing the summer weather to Bradford for our site visit!

We want to thank our incredible collaborator, Jade Ibegbuna, for creating a thorough itinerary and an action-packed day for the team! In the morning, we visited Bradford's key buildings, such as the Town Hall, Alhambra, and Bradford Live, looking at key architectural details and characteristics that can be used in our project.

In the afternoon, we took a quick train from Bradford Foster Square to one of the city’s 30 wards, Saltaire. There, we explored the historical area of its salt mill countryside and also visited a great organisation, SAIL, who stores, recycles, and donates old materials from TV productions and theatre!

Afterwards, we returned to the city to meet with other stakeholders of the Bradford 2025 events team, Leap, and members of Bradford University to give us insights into how we can incorporate fun and engaging techniques for our project.

Written by-Gabriel Tallara

Posted 14 May 2025 23:18

Day 2 - 13.05.25 - Visit to SAIL （Saltaire）

This afternoon, we had the chance to visit SAIL, a fantastic non-profit sustainable organisation based in Saltaire. We explored their Recycled Materials Hub, which aims to source high-quality reusable materials for the creative and cultural industries, such as theatre, film, TV, arts, and other creative projects. The hub’s mission is to reduce waste, cut costs, and support a circular economy.

We had some engaging conversations with Project Coordinator Pip and Executive Director Jamie from SAIL, who gave us a tour of the hub and introduced us to a wide variety of reusable materials—some of which were originally used in the previous City of Culture festival, which was amazing to see!

Together, we discussed the potential of these materials for our upcoming Bradford 2025 celebration strategies. From reclaimed sheet materials to a diverse collection of stage set props, we actively brainstormed how these resources could be incorporated into our future design works.

The visit left us feeling truly inspired, and engaging with the celebration-related materials gives us renewed confidence in the creative possibilities of our designs going forward.

Written by Jirong Peng

Posted 15 May 2025 10:31

Day 2 - 13.05.25 - Stakeholder meeting

On the Second day, we had the privilege of meeting with key stakeholders and collaborators involved in the Bradford Live Festival, thanks to an introduction from our local council partner, Jade Ibegbuna, at the Bradford 2025 office. During this session, we engaged with representatives from LEAP, Bradford 2025, the University of Bradford, and the Youth Panel.

We presented our initial concepts for the interactive wayfinding game we are developing for the festival. The feedback we received was invaluable, with the stakeholders highlighting practical considerations and real-world constraints and pointing out new opportunities to enhance our proposal. Their insights will help us refine our approach, ensuring that our project is both ambitious and grounded in the realities of delivering an activity within a major cultural event like Bradford 2025, while fitting the needs of a very diverse audience.

Written by- Laura-Elena Popa

Posted 15 May 2025 10:36

Day 3- 14.05.25 - Visit to the People's History Museum and the Museum of Science and Technology

Today we had a great time visiting the People's History Museum and the Science and Technology Museum!
On our first stop, we visited the People's History Museum, where we saw a lot of excellent display techniques, the way exhibits are displayed, the use of audio-visual presentations, and so on, in the various exhibits. This will help us to understand how we can better present the content of our project to the people who come to visit us.
We then walked from the People's History Museum to the Science and Technology Museum. There, we explored the history and development of various areas of science and technology in the UK, particularly the development of the textile industry. In the exciting science experience that followed, we experienced a wealth of interactive ways in which the games and displays worked well to engage people. These were a reminder for us to find inspiration for our games.
At the end of the tour, we briefly discussed how to design the rules of our game, and it was great to see that everyone came up with very interesting sketches of their ideas. It will be very interesting to combine or represent these ideas!

Written by Ziyang Zhou

Posted 15 May 2025 21:42

Day 3 - 14.05.25 - Sketching Ideas

After an inspiring day exploring the People's History Museum and the Science and Technology Museum, our team wrapped up the visit with an energising creative session. Fueled by everything we had seen and experienced from interactive exhibits to powerful storytelling techniques, we gathered to start shaping the Bradford Takeover Game.

Each of us brought our ideas to the table, sketching out early concepts and sharing different visions for how the game could look, feel, and play. It was exciting to see the variety of approaches, some focused on storytelling, others on movement, challenges, or collaboration. There was a real buzz in the room as ideas bounced around and merged into new possibilities.

Our discussion touched on game rules, audience engagement, and how to reflect Bradford’s unique character through play. While nothing is set in stone yet, the energy and creativity in the room made it clear: we’re on track to design something fun, meaningful, and memorable.

Stay tuned—this is just the beginning!

Written by Shreya Tripathi

Posted 16 May 2025 08:50

DAY 4 - 15.05.25 - Kevin Lynch mapping exercise

We began the day with a Kevin Lynch mapping exercise focused on Bradford, aiming to explore how individual perceptions of the city can vary dramatically-especially for first-time visitors. Each participant’s map depicted distances between key locations differently, and elements such as major roads, parks, and train routes appeared or disappeared depending on the mapmaker. These variations highlighted just how unique everyone’s experience of the city can be.

This brief but insightful exercise is proving invaluable as we design the wayfinding route map for the Festival of Culture in Bradford, ensuring our outputs reflect the diverse perspectives of those who will navigate the city.

Witten by- Laura-Elena Popa

Posted 16 May 2025 08:55

Day 4 - 15.05.25- Sunshine, Strategy, and Smart Questions

Before diving back into design work, we took a refreshing break in the park to enjoy some sun and clear our minds. While there, each of us took time to reflect and write down five key questions about the Bradford Takeover game. These weren’t just any questions, they were designed to challenge our ideas, identify potential loopholes, and dig deeper into important aspects like rules, accessibility, security, and adaptability.

This exercise helped us think critically about the practical side of our designs. By raising questions early in the process, we’re setting ourselves up to create a game that’s not only creative and engaging but also thoughtful, inclusive, and ready to face real-world challenges. It was a moment of calm and clarity and a crucial step in shaping a better game.

Written by Shreya Tripathi

Posted 16 May 2025 09:04

Day 4 - 15.05.25 - Collaborative Design and Creative Exploration

We continue Day 4 with a dynamic series of process development activities, focusing on the core aims and purposes behind the games we’re set to design. Through thoughtful questioning and lively discussion, we clarified our objectives.

Next, we divided into groups, each tasked with bringing one of the five heritage buildings to life through interactive and informative elements. Within these teams, we brainstormed, sketched, and began developing our initial design concepts, drawing inspiration from the unique stories and features of each building and our previous sketches from day 3.

To wrap up the day, each group shared their progress in a short presentation session. This collaborative exchange of ideas and constructive feedback not only sparked fresh inspiration but also strengthened our collective vision for the project moving forward.

Written by Laura-Elena Popa

Posted 16 May 2025 11:30

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

Day 5- 16.05.25- Concepts Meet Community

The second half of the day brought a pivotal moment in the project: a presentation to Jade, Head of Cultural Partnerships at Bradford Council. Each group shared their puzzle idea, walking through how their interactive concepts link to the architectural, cultural, and social significance of their building. We also communicated our overall aim: to create an engaging, educational, and playful experience that connects people with the heritage of Bradford in a fresh, tactile way.
Jade offered invaluable feedback, critiquing our ideas through the lens of public engagement and cultural value. Her insights helped us consider how the puzzles might resonate with different audiences across Bradford, from locals familiar with the buildings to newcomers discovering the city’s history for the first time.
Her encouragement and constructive critique helped sharpen our focus as we move toward prototyping and final presentation. It was a meaningful reminder that design is not just about creativity but connection with place, people, and purpose.

Written by Shreya Tripathi

Posted 20 May 2025 12:12

Day 6- 17.05.25- Manufacturing

On Day 6, we explored a variety of model-making techniques in order to develop the interactive elements of our wayfinding route. One of these processes involved creating a silicone mould from the clay sculpture we had previously crafted. By pouring a 2-part silicone over the clay, we produced a negative mould, which allows us to replicate the original piece multiple times.

After allowing the silicone to cure for 24 hours, the mould will be ready to be carefully removed and prepared for casting. Our next step involves pouring plaster into the mould to create identical copies. The goal is to produce five replicas, enabling five participants to engage with the puzzle simultaneously.

Written by Laura Popa

Posted 20 May 2025 12:14

Day 7- 19.05.25- Manufacturing

On Day 7, we dove deeper into developing the interactive elements of our project by exploring a variety of model-making techniques, with a particular focus on casting and laser cutting. These hands-on processes challenged us to advance both our digital and physical skill sets.

For the laser cutting component, we developed our abilities in computer-aided design (CAD), learning how to create precise digital files that translate into physical components. This required a solid understanding of digital fabrication workflows as well as the mechanics of the game.

The casting process, on the other hand, emphasized material knowledge, patience, and manual dexterity. We experimented with different moulds and casting materials, refining our techniques to achieve clean, accurate results. This process made us develop a deeper appreciation for the interplay between digital design and hands-on craftsmanship.

Written by Laura Popa

Posted 20 May 2025 16:14

Day 8- 21.05.25- Interactive Elements Finalisation

On Day 8, we completed the interactive elements of our project, bringing together the laser-cut and cast pieces into a fully playable form. With the physical components ready, we turned our attention to creating a clear and engaging pamphlet of rules and instructions. This guide explains how to play the game and highlights the architectural heritage behind each puzzle piece. Our aim is to make the experience enjoyable and educational for all players. Finishing these materials feels like a big step forward, and we’re excited to soon share the game with others and gather their feedback.

Written by Laura Popa

Posted 22 May 2025 13:50

Day 9 - 22.05.25 - Final Debrief

On Day 9, we prepared for our final collaboration meeting with Jade on what we produced during the second half of the action week. As everyone refined their interactive element for each key building of Bradford's City Centre, we confidentially presented our final models to Jade. We aimed to deliver clear instructions on how each interactive element is played, how it can encourage individuals to continue our urban trail through the city centre, and how this can be incorporated in the future to introduce new faces to Bradford.

Overall, the presentation went great; Jade joined us online and gave us some insight into how each activity depicts each building well, allowing more community engagement by welcoming locals to each building and understanding its cultural value. Our last task is to create a video showcasing how our heritage trail operates and providing clear instructions on completing each activity.

Written by Gabriel Tallara

Posted 23 May 2025 18:01

Day 10 - 23.05.25 - Bradford Heritage Trail

Day 10 was the last day of this fantastic project! Based on Jade's comments from the final debrief, we worked on the quick instruction video on how we intend to guide people through our Bradford Heritage Trail. We encouraged everyone to help lead with the task, making a fun, upbeat, and informative video on how the trail works.

Posted 23 May 2025 20:38