Group 04
RE:WILDING: MERSEYWAY

Re:wilding Merseyway proposes a creative expansion of Stockport’s cultural renewal, reimagining the town centre as shared infrastructure for creativity, learning, and exchange. In partnership with Stockport World Building Society, the project will establish a network of flexible public studios in and around the Merseyway Shopping Centre supporting craft, cultural production, collaboration, and performance. Conceived as a living art school, it fosters collaboration between artists, local businesses, and community groups, encouraging cross-generational participation. The project strengthens civic identity, builds community ownership of public space, and cultivates a vibrant, accessible town centre shaped by everyday creativity.

Ain Dzulaizah Binti Sulihei BS / Aishwarya Vardhan K / Ali S / Christopher S / Esha B / Florence E / Lucy G / Nikola C / Quanquan W / Thun WT / Yiyu W

Lucy G
Hi, I'm Lucy Graham. I’m currently an MArch1 student at the Manchester School of Architecture, driven by a long-standing passion for the built environment that began growing up in Dubai, where the city’s bold and dynamic architecture first captured my imagination and led me to complete my undergraduate degree at the University of Liverpool. After graduating, I spent a year working in architectural practice in London, gaining hands-on experience that sharpened my design thinking and strengthened my creative confidence. I’m excited to collaborate within a diverse team, pushing ideas, letting creativity flow freely, and exploring new ways to inject art, craft, and culture into Stockport, generating a vibrant energy around this historic town centre and celebrating the iconic River Mersey as a catalyst for new life and activity.
Posted 18 Feb 2026 16:29
Nikola C
Hello! I’m Nikola, a BA1 student at the Manchester School of Architecture. I’m originally Polish but was born and raised in Huddersfield, where I was surrounded by a mix of cultures throughout my life. This exposure, along with my passion for both art and mathematics, inspired me to pursue architecture. My dad works in construction, so I’ve also been introduced to architectural ideas and the technical side of building from a young age. I particularly enjoy creating physical drawings and experimenting with mixed media, as they allow me to explore ideas in a hands-on and expressive way. I’m really excited to collaborate with a diverse group of people, learn from different experiences and skill sets, and work together to help bring more art and culture into Stockport.
Posted 18 Feb 2026 16:32
Ain Dzulaizah Binti Sulihei BS
Hi! I’m Ain Dzulaizah from Malaysia, currently an MArch1 student at the Manchester School of Architecture. Growing up, I’ve always been curious about the stories behind buildings, not just how they look, but how they bring people together and support everyday life. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from University of Technology Sarawak and spent a year gaining practical experience in the field. My architectural interests lie in community-centered particularly how spaces can foster social connection, inclusivity, and a strong sense of place. When I’m not doing 'architecture',  I enjoy exploring new places, photography, and journaling - little ways that keep me inspired and help me see the world through different perspectives.
Posted 18 Feb 2026 16:32
Aishwarya Vardhan K
I’m Aishwarya Vardhan, a 26 year old M.Arch 1 student at Manchester School of Architecture, with my architectural grounding shaped through education and practice in India. Growing up surrounded by history, culture, and lived traditions gave me an early understanding of how architecture is deeply rooted in memory and experience. Working in India taught me to read context as a narrative rather than a backdrop. Coming here, I am searching for what architecture could be. Influenced by Louis Kahn, Tadao Ando, and Caravaggio, I am drawn to light, silence, and shadow. Art, cinema, and photography guide this search as ways of seeing, questioning, and dwelling in the unknown.
Posted 20 Feb 2026 15:44
Esha B
Hi I’m June a first year BA architecture student. Before coming to Manchester to study, I lived in Durham for 11 years and had also previously lived in India, which inspired a lot of my interest in the ways other global communities create buildings and the incorporation of traditional culture is also embedded within them.

Currently in my course, I enjoy creating the analogue drawings and incorporating artistic ways in which to present them, especially by using mediums like watercolour in my work .

I chose this project because I think this project has the potential to have some creative, not traditional architectural outputs that bring encourage community and life within Stockport and I am excited to learn skills such as how to work with others in a group and developing ideas to real situations.
Posted 22 Feb 2026 22:51
Christopher S
My name is Christopher Savidge. I am 24 years old and currently studying for a Master’s degree at the Manchester School of Architecture. Becoming an architect has been a lifelong ambition, rooted in my early interests in design technology and art photography at GCSE, followed by graphic design studies at A Levels. These passions led me to pursue an architecture undergraduate degree at Liverpool John Moores University.

After graduating, I moved to London for a year to complete my Part One placement. This experience was informative in shaping my professional ambitions, reinforcing my desire to work as an architect within a cross sector environment and to engage with a wide range of project types. I am now excited to begin a live project, working hands on with clients and stakeholders to create a space that we envision could help shape the future of Stockport.
Posted 23 Feb 2026 15:52
Florence E
Hi, I’m Florence! I’m a first year Architecture undergraduate student at Manchester. I’ve always been drawn to the built environment and have a constant love for design and art. I am new to architecture, but I’ve loved creating and seeing how design impacts different people. I am passionate about drawing and the more analogue side of architecture. I’m really excited to work on a live project with a group of people that have a range of experiences that I can learn from. This project allows us to explore and learn about a different part of Manchester that I am new to and I’m excited to see how we can make an impact and bring creativity to the community.
Posted 23 Feb 2026 16:01
Quanquan W
Hi, I’m Quanquan Wang, currently studying MA Architecture and Adaptive Reuse at the Manchester School of Architecture. My approach to architecture is rooted in observation and exploration - shaped by photography, walking, and a curiosity about how spaces hold memory and atmosphere. I’m particularly interested in how existing structures can be reinterpreted through subtle spatial gestures and artistic interventions, revealing new layers of meaning rather than replacing what is already there.

I’m keen to collaborate in an open, experimental setting, exploring how artistic and spatial interventions can gently reframe places like Stockport - reconnecting people to the River Mersey through layered, exploratory experiences.
Posted 23 Feb 2026 16:02
Yiyu W
Yiyu Wang
MA Architecture and Adaptive Reuse
I studied interior design in university and later developed a strong interest in the field of architecture. Currently researching architecture and adaptive reuse. I am delighted to participate in the MSA LIVE 26 project and collaborate with peers from different courses to gain a deeper understanding of various fields and learn from each other.
Posted 26 Feb 2026 12:38
Lucy G
03/02/26

We met as a group for the first time to kick off our MSA Live project, marking the beginning of an exciting new collaborative journey. Together, we carefully read and digested the brief, reflecting on the collaborator’s requirements and discussing how each of us interpreted the project. This process allowed us to begin aligning our ideas and shaping a shared understanding of its ambitions and potential direction.

Alongside this, we introduced ourselves more personally, sharing our backgrounds and experiences in architecture. It quickly became clear that our diverse perspectives and skill sets could meaningfully inform the project’s development. We concluded the meeting by signing a group contract, formally committing to the project both as individuals and as a collective, establishing a foundation of accountability and mutual responsibility moving forward.

Later, we met with our collaborator for the first time. The session was both inspiring and productive. We discussed his vision in greater depth, shared our interpretation of the brief, and aligned on the next steps. He elaborated on the ambitions and underlying values of the project, helping us to better understand its broader context and intended impact. In turn, we presented our initial thoughts and posed clarifying questions, fostering an open and constructive dialogue that set a positive tone for the collaboration ahead.
Posted 27 Feb 2026 20:41
Lucy G
09/02/26

To develop a stronger understanding of the project, a small group of us visited Stockport (more specifically the Merseyway Shopping Centre and the surrounding high streets), to inform our design approach. The visit proved particularly valuable, as there are no strict site boundaries defined within our brief. Experiencing the area first-hand enabled us to better understand its character, urban fabric, and atmosphere.

By observing patterns of movement, vacancy rates, active frontages, and the overall condition of the public realm, we were able to identify key opportunities and constraints that will shape our design response. As our brief centres on introducing and supporting contemporary creative spaces within Stockport, it was essential to assess where cultural interventions could have the most meaningful impact, whether through revitalising underused spaces, activating vacant units, or strengthening connections between the high street and existing community activity.
Posted 27 Feb 2026 20:57
Lucy G
09/02/26

During our visit to Stockport, we were fortunate enough to speak with two members of staff at the Merseyway Workshop, a central hub for craft and art in Stockport. Their insights offered valuable first-hand perspectives on how the space operates, the creative practices it supports, and its role within the local community. We also discussed what they would like to see introduced to further revitalise the high street, gaining a clearer understanding of how creative initiatives could contribute to wider regeneration efforts and help re-establish the area as a vibrant cultural destination.
Posted 27 Feb 2026 20:58
Lucy G
17/02/26

With a clearer understanding of the site, the brief, and the needs outlined by our collaborator, we began to define the project more concretely. This included finalising the design for our poster and establishing a stronger collective vision for the project moving forwards.

We also engaged in deeper discussions surrounding the practical and ethical responsibilities of the project. As we are working with a collaborator and, in some cases, members of the public, we considered the need for an ethics application, as well as identifying potential risks and outlining how these would be addressed within a formal risk assessment. We discussed the responsibilities associated with managing the allocated budget, ensuring transparency and accountability in its distribution, as well as the importance of clear and effective project management.

We also began to establish a realistic timeline, setting achievable milestones while still striving to deliver a rich and ambitious outcome. These tasks were then divided among the group to ensure clarity of roles and shared responsibility. Alongside the collective discussions, each member independently wrote and uploaded a blog post introducing themselves, helping to establish our individual voices within the wider project framework.
Posted 27 Feb 2026 21:10
Thun WT
Hi, I’m Jewel, a BA1 student at the Manchester School of Architecture. I’m originally from Myanmar, a country rich in traditional architecture. I have always enjoyed studying mathematics and have a strong interest in understanding how spaces are defined and used, which inspired me to pursue architecture.

Since both of my parents are architects, I grew up in an environment filled with drawings and people designing houses, which further strengthened my passion for the field.

I am eager to take part in this MSA project alongside peers from diverse cultural backgrounds. I truly appreciate the opportunity to gain new knowledge and skills through this project and to collaborate with my peers to create a better space for Stockport.
Posted 3 Mar 2026 14:17