Name: Nikhil Nagar
Course: MArch 1
Atelier: Non-Standard Habitats (NSH)
Introduction: Hi, I’m Nikhil from India. After completing my bachelor's degree in architecture from Manchester School of Architecture (MSA), I worked as an architectural assistant in Delhi, India. They helped me gain experience in high-rise developments and on-site executions of the work. Personally, I have worked on two or three more projects, which required refurbishment. I am currently pursuing a master's degree in architecture to develop a more profound understanding of design ethics and implications.

I’m overwhelmed to collaborate with Tameside Council in Droylsden and looking forward to working with MSA colleagues to design a better and healthier community with an optimistic future.

On Day 1, we commenced with a brief introduction of the site to the team members. We decided to split ourselves into six groups to analyse it from various perspectives, like physical, visual, and network teams.

After a few discussions and initial ideas, we as a team conducted an activity to sketch down the plans or concepts, such as what comes to mind by looking at the site and how you would design it as a green public space. One of the initial ideas involved relocating from the old car park to a well-maintained community garden that would include preservation zones, walkways, and skating rinks to attract locals.

Day 7

The day was intense but productive, as it was dedicated to finalising our concepts into a comprehensive masterplan and beginning the detailed design development phase. After several iterations and contributions from the team, we successfully settled on the layout.

Some of us shifted focus to the architectural elements within the proposal—such as benches and bike stands—exploring their construction, level of detail, and overall form. After a few sketches and collaborative discussions, we chose designs that aligned well with the overall scheme. Meanwhile, others began assembling the final presentation file by compiling all relevant materials.

By the end of the day, our 3D model and renderings—developed using SketchUp, Lumion, and Photoshop—were nearly complete for key areas in the plan and ready to be integrated into the presentation. Overall, the team performed exceptionally well today!