Group 31
ECHOES OF INCLUSION

For this LIVE Project we will be improving the current provision of music studio and creating an outdoor music pavilion at Delamere School in Trafford. The enhancements would support the inclusive music programme for children with a wide range of special educational needs and enable many more children and their families to enjoy music, develop their talent, grow their self-esteem and sense of worth and shine a light on the positive aspects of disability.

Alya BR / Farah Kamilia BN / Joe B / Michael N / Nurul Atifah Binti AJ

Alya BR
Hello, Alya here ~

Atelier: SKN

I completed my undergraduate at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor and worked in practice for almost 2 years at a medium-sized architecture firm in my hometown (Kuching, Sarawak).

I was initially interested in this LIVE project as I had experience teaching music to young children before I started my architectural journey. I guess I can say a hint of nostalgia pulled me into choosing this project, as well as an interest to personally observe how space and music can influence the minds of children with complex needs. Overall, I am beyond excited to explore how my current knowledge in architecture can be used to enhance the musical experience for the precious children of Delamere School.
Posted 4 Mar 2025 08:45
Joe B
· Hey, I’m Joe
· Atelier: Continuity
· I did my undergrad at Nottingham, and then did my placement year in a small firm also in Notts.
· I chose this LIVE project because of my love of music, and belief that music should be accessible and enjoyable for everyone. I’m also working on a music-based project for my studio submission – so it felt fitting to align my LIVE choice with this!
Posted 4 Mar 2025 09:37
Farah Kamilia BN
Hi, I’m Farah!

Atelier: &rchitecture

I completed my undergraduate studies at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia before gaining hands-on experience in the heart of Singapore, where I worked as an assistant architectural designer.

I was drawn to this LIVE project because I’m intrigued by how the way we design a space can deeply affect its users, especially children with special educational needs. With Delamere School, I’m excited to explore how architecture and sensory experiences can enhance musical learning and interaction.

And honestly, who doesn’t love music? It’s an art form in itself, and being able to design a space that brings that joy to these children means the world to me.
Posted 4 Mar 2025 10:08
Nurul Atifah Binti AJ
Hello, I’m Atifah!

Atelier: &rchitecture

After completing my undergraduate studies at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, I worked for a local small-size firm for a year as an assistant architectural designer to gain practical experience in how real-world architecture functions.

I have always enjoyed inclusive design and music, thus the reason I find myself drawn to this LIVE project. Since music is a universal language that goes beyond verbal communication, it can be implemented as an inclusive medium for self-expression by children with different learning abilities, especially in Delamere School. With this collaboration, I am looking forward to how I could thoughtfully design music spaces to provide immersive sensory experiences that support diverse learning needs. So that they too, can enjoy music as much as I do!
Posted 4 Mar 2025 13:41
Michael N
Hello, I am Michael!
Atelier: CPU

I completed my undergraduate at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Upon graduation, I spent 1.5 years in practice focused mainly on institutional and heritage buildings.

My passion is in the convergence between music & architecture in both design process and functionality. This LIVE project is interesting to me because of how it can engage the children of the school while supporting the amazing vision for music education at Delamere.
Posted 4 Mar 2025 21:13
Alya BR
1st MSA Live meetup!

Date: 4th December 2024

This was our initial meeting with the whole team as well as our collaborator Sally, who is the Head Teacher of Delemere School.

Sally briefly explained the school's background and enthusiastically encouraged us to visit the school so that we could observe the learning environment for ourselves.

Sally also mentioned that her vision for this project is to definitely make it a reality in the near future so that the precious children of Delamere School can experience high-quality music education.

We all found that Sally's enthusiasm and energy were infectious, and we are all super excited to work on this project together!
Posted 11 Mar 2025 07:11
Alya BR
First Site Visit!

Date: 29th January 2025

Delamere School is located in Urmston, a town in Trafford with a residential feel. We visited on a Wednesday so that we could observe how the school's musician, Beth, uses the music studio for her classes.

Upon reaching the site, Sally welcomed us and gave a tour of the school. Honestly, it is quite an impressive school! We were very fascinated by the various facilities this school offered (They had climbing walls, a sensory room and even a swimming pool!).

Sally also explained her ideas for the proposed upgraded music studio. Overall, the proposal should ⁠include considerations for students with mobility and sensory impairment. The space should be accessible and not overstimulating. Beth also suggested for creative ideas to store and take out the musical instruments more efficiently.

This site visit was definitely an eye-opener as we got to observe how children with various special needs are cared for, and how space plays a crucial role in their wellbeing and education. After the site visit, the team was even more motivated to do a good job for this project~
Posted 11 Mar 2025 07:48
Alya BR
Getting to know our collaborator: Sally!

Sally is the Head teacher of Delemere School. Based on our conversations and meetings with her, we can affirm that she is immensely passionate about providing the highest quality of education to all of the school's children regardless of needs or ability.

"Our mission statement is “Together, we Make a Difference …” and we achieve this by creating a personalised curriculum and unique learning journey for every child"
Posted 11 Mar 2025 08:19
Alya BR
Getting to know our collaborator: Beth!

Beth is the school's own professional musician who, in our eyes, totally excels in providing the children quality AND fun musical experience. She leads a variety of musical sessions for the children, such as group jamming sessions, one-to-one music therapy sessions and even leads the school's choir and rock band!
Posted 11 Mar 2025 08:20
Alya BR
2nd Meeting!

Date: 12th February 2025

This meeting was organized to discuss some design ideas we had for the project with our collaborators. We decided to compile some design references and precedent ideas to show the collaborators, as well as draft a visual of our proposed design.

Overall Sally and Beth were excited and quite satisfied with our ideas, only sharing some minor comments about them.
Posted 11 Mar 2025 08:54
Alya BR
Fancy joining us?

During our 2 action weeks, we will be producing design responses to our collaborator's vision, but we would also like to use this time to help you develop skills you wish to learn. We plan to help you explore skillsets such as producing architecture drawings, visualizations and model-making.

We will use our individual strengths to help you develop your skills, and hopefully in group working, we will learn some skills from you as well!

If anything here sparks your interest, or you have any questions, please do get in touch!
Posted 11 Mar 2025 09:01
Nurul Atifah Binti AJ
Day 1 of our MSA action week was all about setting the stage for an exciting two weeks ahead! We kicked things off with a briefing to introduce the project and get everyone on the same page.

Then, to break the ice and get to know each other better, we dove into a fun game of Kahoot (because who doesn’t love a little competition, right?). After all the laughs, we settled into the project brief and started sketching out some initial ideas. A well-timed pizza lunch gave us the perfect fuel to keep the creative energy flowing.

We then split into groups and got down to business, diving into the design of the music spaces and gathering inspiration from precedent studies. Overall, it was a great start, and we’re all looking forward to what’s next!
Posted 13 May 2025 12:29
Nurul Atifah Binti AJ
Day 2 of our MSA action week was a hands-on adventure. After a quick briefing in the morning, we got down to business with some intense site analysis, gathering key details and sketching out our ideas.

But the real excitement came in the evening when we took a trip to Delamere School for an in-depth tour. We met with Sally, the head teacher, who gave us valuable insights into the spaces we’ll be designing. We took precise measurements of the rooms and external space, ensuring we could draft the most accurate and functional designs possible.

It was a productive day that helped ground our ideas in the real-world context, and we’re excited to move forward with the design process.
Posted 14 May 2025 14:59
Nurul Atifah Binti AJ
Day 3 of our action week kicked off with teams updating their ideas and strategies following yesterday’s insightful site visit to Delamere School.

Deeper research into designing an enriched music environment for the students brought fresh perspectives to the table. In the afternoon, both internal and external teams finalized their concepts; some with visuals that caught everyone’s eye!

The day wrapped up with a big-group sharing session full of brilliant exchanges. The energy is building, and we can't wait to begin the creative outputs tomorrow!
Posted 14 May 2025 22:25
Michael N
Together we make a difference.

For the children at Delamere, the music programme is a fun opportunity to move and dance their bodies to the rhythm and music. Regardless of their learning ability and mobility, music is a great way to engage ALL of us. Thank you to Sally for showing us around the school!
Posted 15 May 2025 12:21
Nurul Atifah Binti AJ
Day 4 of our action week is all about finalising the big ideas!

Today, our internal and external teams came together to finalise the concept. We made sure everything made sense, from the main idea to acoustic strategies, safety, and technical details in ensuring an inclusive space for the precious students of Delamere to enjoy music.

It was a day of thoughtful, brilliant discussions and helpful feedback from the students, which really helped to shape and improve the design.

With the concept now clear, coherent and aligned, we’re all set to move into the technical drawings tomorrow!
Posted 15 May 2025 21:36
Nurul Atifah Binti AJ
Day 5 saw a dynamic shift in pace as our internal and external teams split into two focused groups to begin translating our conceptual ideas into physical and digital models.

One group headed to the B.15 Modelmaking Workshop to kickstart our physical model. The process was hands-on and exploratory, involving material tests to find the best approach for showcasing our ideas. The tactile nature of modelmaking added a new layer to how we perceive and communicate scale and form.

Meanwhile, the other group dived into digital visualisation by setting up SketchUp files and starting early orthographic layouts in AutoCAD. Rather than fully producing outputs, this stage focused on testing workflows and setting up templates for developing plans, sections, and elevations. They worked closely with the physical team to ensure proportional and spatial alignment.

This split-team approach proved productive as each group’s process informed the other’s. As our models began to take shape, so did a clearer sense of how our proposal sits within its context, setting us up for the next stage of refinement.

We’re excited to see these representations evolve over the coming days. Onward to Day 6 of our second MSA Live action week!
Posted 22 May 2025 14:53
Nurul Atifah Binti AJ
With roles clearly mapped out, Day 6 was all about refining and making. Our internal and external BA teams focused on their strengths: some shaping physical models, others refining plans, elevations, and sections for visual rendering.

Many BA students found themselves navigating new software like SketchUp and AutoCAD for the first time, stepping outside their comfort zones and learning impressively fast! It’s been genuinely fun watching them tackle challenges and accomplish tasks they initially found unfamiliar; exactly what MSA Live was designed to encourage.

We’re loving the momentum and can’t wait to see the team in full flow tomorrow!
Posted 22 May 2025 14:58
Nurul Atifah Binti AJ
On Day 7 the model is taking shape, and it’s looking just like the ideas we brainstormed and sketched out during the first action week (love when that happens!).

Over in B.15, our internal and external BA teams are going full steam ahead, bringing ideas to life with guidance from M.Arch students, turning sketches into structure and concepts into tangible form.

Meanwhile, the visualisation team is piecing everything together into one slick presentation, preparing for our Thursday reveal with Sally, Delamere’s head teacher. It’s exciting to see everything click into place. The space is starting to speak for itself, and it’s already sounding great!
Posted 22 May 2025 15:07
Nurul Atifah Binti AJ
As we approach the finish line in Day 8, today was all about tying everything together. The teams are deep in final preparations: physical models are getting their last touches, digital visuals are being polished, and everything is being compiled into a cohesive presentation for tomorrow’s big reveal with Delamere School.

Alongside this, our publication is also taking shape capturing the fun, challenges, and learning-rich experiences that have defined this second action week. It’s been a fulfilling journey of collaboration, creativity, and growth.

We’re nearly there and can’t wait to share the full outcome with Sally tomorrow!
Posted 22 May 2025 17:25
Nurul Atifah Binti AJ
Today marked the final chapter of our collaboration, as M.Arch and BA students came together one last time to present our outputs to Sally Judge, the wonderful Head Teacher of Delamere School.

From drawings and renderings to hand-crafted models, we shared our vision and were met with warmth, encouragement, and the exciting possibility of making it real. Sally spoke of securing funding to create a space where Delamere’s children can enjoy music in comfort and joy (we are SO looking forward to it too!!!)

We wrapped it all up the best way we know how: with pizzas, doughnuts, and smiles all around.
Posted 23 May 2025 04:21
Nurul Atifah Binti AJ
The Interior Team:

Alya Rafaie
Atifah Jalil
Aleksandra Kucma
Priscilla Sabbatini
Holly Froggatt
Nazdami Orynbek
Nur Rafiqah Najwa

We took on the challenge of reimagining the existing interior into a more accessible, inclusive, and joyful environment for both students and staff.

Our design process was anchored by a key concern raised by Beth, Delamere’s passionate music teacher:

“Every time we have a session, we have to bring all the musical equipment in and out of the room.”

In response, we revamped the storage by integrating open, built-in units that make instruments easily accessible without the need for constant moving. We also identified underused corners of the room and transformed them into quiet nooks and a sensory corner. Designed as small, comforting spaces with gentle lighting for children who may feel overwhelmed during louder sessions.

This empowers them to engage with the musical environment in a way that feels safe and supportive.

Anddd the most important element for a music space! To enhance both acoustics and atmosphere, we introduced hexagonal flower-inspired panels along the walls. These tactile, soft-surfaced elements help manage sound and bring a touch of nature indoors creating a space that feels alive, yet serene.

This wasn’t just about redesigning a classroom, it was about rethinking how music is experienced :)
Posted 23 May 2025 11:02
Nurul Atifah Binti AJ
The External Team:

Michael Ngan
Joe Binks
Farah Kamilia Norazman
Mehak Aggarwal
Shimon Inaba
William Berkshire
Guzin Defne Uman
Mair Griffith

We took music outdoors by transforming a humble shipping container into a fully functional, inclusive music stage designed for both performance and play.

Our challenge wasn’t just aesthetic, it was deeply practical. How do we make a container fit within the site, alongside the school’s existing needs for storage and toilets? How can it be acoustically insulated enough for lively music sessions, while remaining easy to operate with minimal staff?

To start, we introduced attached storage directly within the stage unit so instruments and equipment can be safely stowed and accessed effortlessly. Mounted with a gentle ramp, it ensures full accessibility for students and staff with varying mobility needs.

For acoustics, we drew inspiration from the interior team’s design, continuing the hexagonal acoustic panels on the stage’s inner walls. This not only helps control sound quality, but visually ties the exterior and interior together, creating a unified design language.

The stage roof is topped with a green roof system (I mean, who doesn’t love it?) doubling as acoustic insulation and a visual echo of the school’s existing green wall. This living layer softens sound, cools the structure, and brings a natural calm to the performance space.

Hydraulic mechanism allows the stage to be folded out or packed away with minimal effort. Whether it’s a school concert or a spontaneous jam session, the space is designed to be flexible, accessible, and joyful.

This isn’t just a performance platform, it’s a new rhythm in the landscape of Delamere!!!
Posted 23 May 2025 11:29
Nurul Atifah Binti AJ
From concept to craft, our physical models capture our design intentions, translating drawings and digital visions into tactile, scaled realities.

The exterior model brings our shipping container music stage to life complete with integrated storage, green roof, and much needed ramp access. The model also highlights our hydraulic mechanism, designed for easy operation for the stage openings.

The interior model showcases our reimagined music classroom: from accessible, colour-coded storage and calming quiet nooks to the sensory corner and hexagonal acoustic flower panels. It’s a miniature world of music, movement, and care crafted to reflect the everyday needs of Delamere’s students and teachers.

These models aren’t just representations, they’re a celebration of thoughtful, inclusive design and the collaboration between M. Arch and BA students. Hats off to everyone involved!!!!
Posted 23 May 2025 15:40