Simon Linford
Second Year, Master of Architecture
Atelier: Adaptive Reuse

I am the odd one out in this group, not being an architect or designer, but a middle-aged semi-retired property developer with a degree in engineering and an accountancy qualification (obtained many years ago)!

Architecture is a passion though, so I am doing a Masters in Adaptive Reuse (part time) because I develop historic buildings, and churches in particular, and I want to expand my knowledge and understanding. In Manchester my claim to fame would be being the developer behind The Chapel on Upper Brook Street, for Hello Student.

I’ve decided that the best use of my skills on this project is to help manage the process and do the more boring technical bits – I am pretty good at getting things done and have even been known to take my turn 'on the tools' when needed.

Looking forward to it!

An exploration of the site with our collaborator Hayley. This is the around around with Stamford parkrun takes place, an event that is important to her and the local community? Can our project help open up the course and access to Chadwick Dam to more of the community who live on the Ridge Hill estate?

Hayley has plenty of ideas herself but she is looking forward to our combined knowledge and skills adding value to the project. I am going to try and engage the parkrun community because there is an active volunteer base that we could get involved not only in ideas but maybe in actual work during the activity weeks.

And can we get the entire team to do the run together?