The Droylsden MSA Live project revitalises Droylsden, a town east of Manchester, by enhancing public health, community engagement, and urban greening. A key initiative is the development of a community garden to strengthen local connections and improve accessibility.

To further support connectivity, the project emphasises pedestrian-friendly infrastructure and improved wayfinding to increase footfall in the town centre and boost local businesses.

During Action Week, potential outputs will include mapping, 3D modelling, renderings, and alternative layout options for the community garden. Ultimately, the project aspires to create a healthier, more sustainable, and community-driven urban environment for Droylsden.

After our initial meeting with our collaborators, we visited the site in the heart of Droylsden. Lena, Carol, and Nigel from Tameside Council guided us through the area, offering valuable insights into the site's history, current state, and development potential. 

Name: Toby Harris
Course: MArch 1
Atelier: Infrastructure Space

Hi, I am Toby. I grew up in Chicago and completed my bachelor's degree in the US. I have previous work experience in London at Allford Hall Monaghan Morris and Sheppard Robson. I'm excited to wrap up my first year of my master's by participating in MSA Live! I've really enjoyed all the courses at MSA so far and have learned so much already. I can't wait to team up during Action Week to create a meaningful proposal for Droylsden and the Tameside Council. It's going to be an excellent opportunity to make a difference!

Day 5

We gathered our concepts as a group and collaboratively identified each proposal's strongest ideas and features. Through discussion and sketch development, we refined these into a unified site concept that integrates the best elements of our initial designs.

Our primary goal was to strengthen connectivity throughout the site regarding physical access and the community functions it supports. The updated layout introduces a central community garden as a focal point, with curved pathways encouraging movement and exploration. These pathways connect key features such as the pond, seating zones, and designated cycling storage, ensuring inclusive navigation.

We also considered how the site could support year-round engagement with flexible green spaces and gathering areas that adapt to changing uses.

This iteration reflects our commitment to community-centred design, prioritising wellbeing, activity, and accessibility.

We have started to create a 3D model of the site and will begin to develop drawings and visuals for the client!