Group 20
GREEN HAVEN

Join us in transforming a historic space into a vibrant community hub! This project aims to support Gorton’s diverse community, including older people, those with disabilities, refugees, LGBTQ+ individuals etc. By redesigning the historic site with accessible paths, a revamped patio and pergola, growing spaces, and a reflective area, our aim is to create a safe and inclusive space. The project will promote physical and mental well-being, reduce loneliness, and provide educational and volunteering opportunities that may lead to employment—all while connecting people with nature and preserving the site’s unique history.

Charlotte C / Hongli Z / Liam P / Tanishi S / Wei J

Wei J
Name: Wei Jiang
Course: March 1
Atelier: Some Kind of Nature (SKN)

Hi Everyone,

I completed my undergraduate degree at Ravensbourne University London, where I developed a strong foundation in architectural design and creative problem-solving. Before returning to university, I worked in a construction company, which gave me experience with the practical aspects of building and material applications. I have a passion for model making which brings concepts physical models.

This live project focuses on creating a community garden, a space that brings people together through installations. I believe it is the key space of a community that fosters human connections. I look forward to contributing through physical and digital models, helping to visualize design ideas and ensuring the constructability of our proposals.
Posted 4 Mar 2025 15:46
Hongli Z
Name: Hongli zhou (Harriet)
Course: MArch 1
Atelier: Infrastructure

Hi, everyone!

I studied my undergraduate degree at Newcastle University.After completing my undergraduate programme, I returned to China to work as an intern in an architectural firm. After gaining some internship experience, I decided to continue my architecture part2 at MSA.

Studying at MSA has allowed me to think about learning by placing architecture in a broader context. I am excited to be a part of the healthy me healthy communities CIC programme. During my undergraduate programme I also spent a lot of time learning about communities and their delicate relationship with people and nature. And how they will work together as a community to achieve sustainable development. This project will incorporate more factors to consider such as history, volunteers, possible community outreach links .... It will be very engaging.

Looking forward to working with the group to provide a green space that improves the health of the body and mind based on the research and the need to make a positive impact on the community as well as the residents.


Posted 4 Mar 2025 15:53
Tanishi S
Name: Tanishi Sharma
Course: MArch 1
Atelier: Flux

Hi, everyone!

I completed my bachelor’s degree in Architecture at Dr. D Y Patil College of Architecture, India. I interned at Shashi Prabhu Architects in Mumbai and later worked for a year at 23DC Architects in Punjab, India. Finally, I decided to enroll in the MSA Part 2 architectural program, focusing on the relationship between architecture, its history, and the environment.

I am excited about working with the Healthy Me Healthy Communities CIC program. Having a similar approach to Urban farming in my Flux atelier, where I have tried to build my narratives around the community's needs and the overall holistic development of the area. I am looking forward to achieving a similar social impact in this project to improve physical and mental health and well-being, community cohesion, and connection with nature.
Posted 4 Mar 2025 18:24
Charlotte C
Name: Charlotte Clegg
Course: MArch 1
Atelier: Continuity

I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Huddersfield and I am currently working as an architectural assistant at Squires and Brown Architects in Knutsford. We specialise in private education which has given me experience in some really interesting and varied projects. I am currently on maternity leave from the practice to take time out to look after my 19 month old son and newborn daughter, whilst still continuing with my studies at MSA.

I have an interest in building re-use, in particular looking at derelict or under used buildings and how these can be improved and adapted. I’m also interested in how architecture can help our communities and the relationship it has with wellbeing and nature, which is why this live project really excites me. My other main interest besides architecture is being a mother and enjoying time with my young family.
Posted 4 Mar 2025 21:43
Liam P
Name: Liam Powner
Course: MArch 1
Atelier: CPUai
Hi, I Studied my undergraduate Architecture at Salford University before joining AECOM where I still work part time as an Architectural Assistant. This project brief interests me in designing for wellbeing and community engagement with nature spaces
Posted 11 Mar 2025 08:57
Hongli Z
Partners : Gorton Center

The Gorton Center is a community facility in Manchester operated by Healthy Me Healthy Communities (HMHC). It began as a paint factory and has since been transformed into a hub for food, welfare, training and enterprise.

The space provides health and social services for local residents (many of whom are disabled, live with long-term unhealthy physical and mental health conditions, come from diverse ethnic backgrounds, are older, live in poverty, are refugees or asylum seekers and are LGBTQ). As part of HMHC's mission to reduce health inequalities and promote community engagement. It also organizes events, offers space for rent, and runs community grocers, among other activities.

Their vision is to have a good community garden for growing, learning, and healthy activities, and would have some integration with the historic paint factory.HMHC envisions the garden as an extension of their existing wide range of offerings for the local community and stakeholders.
Posted 11 Mar 2025 17:29
Hongli Z
First meeting

At the first meeting with our clients at Manchester Technology Center, Amanda, one of our clients, told us about their non-profit organization 'Healthy Me Healthy Communities'. They are dedicated to bringing vibrancy to their community and helping people with housing, and financial and mental health support. The clients then introduced us to the site and their expectations for the design direction.
Posted 11 Mar 2025 17:29
Hongli Z
First Site Visit

We visited the venue for the first time and kate harrison, service manager at Healthy Me Healthy Communities CIC, joined us for a tour of the current state of the garden. As well as the vegetables planted on the site, and some dilapidated pergola. and learnt in conversation how the previous gardens came to be. What their needs are today. What they most desire the garden to look like and what kind of space they envision that would help them work and be more beneficial to the community. And it gave us some ideas to think about.
Posted 11 Mar 2025 17:30