Name: Naba Arshad Usmani
Course: MA Architecture & Adaptive Re-Use

Hello! My name is Naba, and I'm from Mumbai, India. I studied Interior and Spatial Design for my undergraduate studies and after graduation worked for almost 3 years as a designer, strategist and researcher in the fields of interiors, conservation and heritage, especially Adaptive Re-Use. Additionally, I recently started a multi-disciplinary design studio in India and have developed successful projects which boast collaboration in design. I am very passionate about heritage and conservation, especially about the connection between the culture, community and the building in different contexts. Hence, I decided to pursue my Masters studies in Adaptive Re-Use here in the UK.

I’m excited about this opportunity to meaningfully contribute towards developing design ideas for the Gorgeous Gorse Hill community. Such projects offer a chance to develop spaces that not only re-use existing spaces, but also directly involve and help the community, making it a wholesome empathic process that deepens the impact of design on the people and the environment. I look forward to working with my team and making this a successful collaborative project.

Meet the team!

You have met us individually, but we would love to introduce ourselves to you as a team. We are a group of Master’s students from MSA with diverse backgrounds in architecture, interiors and urbanism and come from different countries accross the Globe. The past few weeks were spent getting to know each other and sharing unique stories and experiences from our lives. It is interesting how all of us started growing as a team and are now here, pumped to welcome new members from BA and MLA.

We will be covering different aspects of several exciting things planned for these two weeks, so stay tuned!

The prep and Julienne!

Over the past few weeks, we have met quite often to sort through the plethora of ideas that each of us had. With so many members come so many thought processes! While the task was mammoth, it became very smooth with the help of amazing collaborator Ruth, who was kind enough to join us on video meetings and discuss our plans.


Well, we must mention that these serious discussions were complemented by Julienne, the new mascot of our team and project and of course some amazing home cooked meals made by our team members. What could possibly be better? *chef’s kiss*

Week 1. Day 1.
Part 1 : Introduction and Ice Breakers!

The first day kicked off with a welcome to our new team members from BA and MLA courses. We met up at Manchester Technology centre and started the day with a few ice breaker activities to get to know each other. The day involved abstract, interpretative sketches of objects as experiential worlds- exploring ways of making our ideas visually communicative. This activity helped us understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and identify how each of us can work together.

This was followed by the site visit.

Week 1. Day 1.
Part 2 : Team Lunch & Site Visit!

What better way to start the second half than a group lunch at the fan favourite pub, the Bishop Blaize?

The lunch was followed by an afternoon exploring the site with the team. We introduced the team to Ruth, who was again kind to join us. The sun was out in its full glory so we were able to see many more creative initiatives that the community of Gorgeous Gorse Hill undertook to make the area brighter, inclusive and interactive.

Who would not love these murals? We ended our day here and discussed our plans for the next day for many more interactive sessions.

Day 2.
Part 1 : Pass the pen - The team starts a creative dialogue

The second day started with a brainstorming session with the junior team about our observations and analysis from the site visit conducted on the previous day. Group discussions were followed by insightful individual discussions so that every thought is heard. The team brought interesting insights to the table - what they really like about their communities and what they feel it needs.

Accessibility, identity and vibrant public space were themes we discussed and sketched in conversations and in short drawings. Best of all was seeing our collective enthusiasm shaped into actual ideas, a reminder of why community collaboration is so critical to this project.

Such discussions guided our design process and reminded us that the best ideas come from listening.

Day 2.
Part 2 : The dialogue continues...

After the initial brainstorming and collective discussion, we started taking a structured approach to the project. In order to approach a vision like that for Gorgeous Gorse Hill, it was important to understand the values that this project entails. The work was divided into research and concept development. The site, the region, the history, future plans were researched and every cultural aspect was highlighted to figure the 'value' factors of the project.

Ideations were formed based on the research, architectural understanding, and precedent studies, and were presented in order to continue the creative dialogue. Miro Boards were used to bring these together in one space and sketches emerged as one of the most creative ways to express the vision.

It is needless to say that Gorgeous Gorse Hill is already feeling more Gorgeous!

We are super pumped to invite our collaborators and reveal our initial visions for the Gorgeous Gorse Hill!
This gives us a wonderful opportunity to open up the floor to discussions between designers and users, and build up on the project together!

Day 3.

Workshops, Concepts, 3Ds, AI!

In architecture and design, we learn something new in every project we take on, no matter how big or small. And it is always a positive sign that the process is going well ahead.

Today, we decided to show a few cool techniques for concept development to the undergrad members of our team using methods involving 3Dimensional modelling, AI image generations and overall image development. This, combined with initial ideation helped us further develop the understanding of developing visual design narratives, something that we really looked forward to during our time in undergraduate studies.

Day 4.

Part 1 : What is adaptive re-use?

The day continued the design iterations with a presentation on Adaptive Re-use, the strategies that we are using for this project. It was quite interesting to see how the team interacted with this and further developed their design ideations. We are confident with the types of work that have come up ahead of the meeting with our collaborators.

The ideations and iterations continued throughout the day with sharpening the concepts. Today, we organised a team lunch in the greens. How can one just not enjoy the sun when working on such a 'gorgeous' project?

P.S. Did anyone notice our colour co-cordinated clothes? An obvious support for the team we love? :)

Day 4 - Ice Cream Break!

Architects and designers are often considered very serious and philosophical - which we are!

Buuuut

we can also be easily swayed by ice-cream when the van jingles those tunes, during serious discussions!

Jokes apart, its always great to boost the team morale with short breaks and sweet treats!

Day 4.

Part 2 : ...and the design continues.

With a much encouraging ice-cream break, we were ready to start fresh with the presentations by our team members. The design proposals were followed by a constructive and engaging session of critiques. As designers, it is important for us to be as critical and appreciative of each other's designs as possible so that the end result is an inclusive comprehension of ideas curated for the needs of the clients.

It was an amazing day understanding where we stood as a team and are quite excited for the showing our work to our collaborators!

Day 5 - Presentations!!

After a week of brain-storming, discussions, ideations, conceptualisations, crash courses and workshops, the day finally arrived when we presented it all to our collaborator Ruth. We are glad that members from the Gorgeous Gorse Hill community were able to join us and give amazing feedbacks that made this process worth every second.

We discussed four comprehensive options around the toilet block and were able to understand the qualities that our collaborators and community members liked. Going forward, these ideas would be combined in one design, a manifestation of the qualities that stops out the most.

This marked the end of an intensive yet exciting week one.
A lot was explored, a lot was learnt.
We look forward to the second week of MSA Live, hoping to further develop the design and grow together as a team.

Day 6

The second week begins!

After an amazing meeting with our collaborators last Friday, the team was fresh and ready to work on the feedbacks we recieved. A lot of discussions occupied the day.

A lot.

But that's what happens when a bunch of designers get together - we collaborate. Everyone has their own strengths and the project enabled us to use them. The result was a carefully curated yet culturally ambitious design - a co-working space with a cafe. Expandable and in phases. Takimg careful consideration of the landscaping, plantations and what Gorgeous Gorse Hill is well known for - its art. A hub for residents, artists and the community.

The team is super excited to see how this takes shape!

Day 7

Final Design development and VR Prep.

Continuing on the design development from Monday, today was dedicated to making the idea concrete. So far, we have a gist of what the team has been developing but one also has to experience it. So here comes the exciting bit to an already exciting project- virtual reality. The progress of the project was tested out on the equipments so that we are able to give our collaborators the experience that we envisioned.

Needless to say, the speed is picking up!

Development in 3D,

What we see here is a sneak-peak of the final 3-dimensional model. As a team, it is our strong belief that design has to be a process that explores every angle of the project. An empathic approach is very important for us to understand challenges, requirements and expectations. A holistic vision is achieved in this way, and the same process has helped us reach the final phase of the project.

We cannot wait to reveal the designs to our collaborators!

Day 9
The vision is here..

As the day of the Final presentation approaches the team has been working hard to compile entire result of what was developed over the past two weeks. The visuals, 3D models, and drawings are all coming up together for the final design. The phases are developed Abd ready to present.

Can't wait to see how it goes tomorrow at the Bishop Blaize. Keep an eye out for the poster!

Day 10. Part 1.

Final Presentation at Bishop Blaize

Today marks the day of the final presentation, the one we really looked forward to. The team worked really hard to develop the final design and make all the visual including 3-D graphics and walkthroughs. The morning started beautifully at the Bishop Blaize and we welcomed member of the Gorgeous Gorse Hill community. The presentation went really well and this proved that team work makes the dream work. We are incredibly grateful to Ruth Hannan our collaborator and to the amazing members of the community who joined in today and made this entire process so worth it! It was incredibly exciting to work with them and it will always remain as a beautiful memory from our time in Manchester.

Day 10. Part 2 .

Onto the final changes and submissions.

As a part of the module, the publications and final outputs were almost complete and the team was excited for the final submissions.

Day 10. Part. 3.

And that’s a wrap!

We did it!

Presentation? Check
Submissions? Check
Pizzas? Check
Timely puns? Check
Memories? Check

It was an amazing two weeks of MSA Live, filled with so many creative discussions, critiques, jokes, travelling and memories. These memories were shared over pizzas We loved working with Gorgeous Gorse Hill. The diverse identity of the team added to the fun. The experience from this project has given us a lot to learn and to be curious about, which will definitely help us in the future!

MSA Live Group 01 The Half Time Hub

Signing Off.

Julienne from the team of Half Time Hub wishes everyone well!

Good-Bye for now!

:)