Group 14
BUILT TO BELONG

Built to Belong is a live refurbishment proposal for Brookfield Unitarian Church, a Victorian Grade II* listed place of worship in Gorton, Manchester. Commissioned by industrialist Richard Peacock, the church holds strong historical and regional significance and is currently listed on the Heritage at Risk Register. The project focuses on the sensitive refurbishment of the kitchen and toilet facilities to support wider community use while respecting listed-building constraints. The proposals aim to enable inclusive access, improve functionality, and support grant applications, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the church as both a place of worship and a community resource.

Chengshuai Y / Esta M / Haoyan D / Javiera Del Carmen SH / Jiage G / Mariz Mamdouh Raafat L / Maryam A / Niamh H / Rayyan K / Tin Yuet W / Yige Z

Javiera Del Carmen SH
Hi everyone!
I’m Javi, a 5th year student in &Architecture Atelier. I love early concept design work, and I have an interest in user-centred design— understanding how people experience and move through spaces is something that really drives my approach to architecture. As I completed my undergraduate here at MSA too, I have participated in MSA Live previously, and I am very excited to be back and be working on a heritage project. I’m especially keen to work collaboratively, learn from everyone’s perspectives, and contribute to a project that feels both sensitive and forward-thinking. I can’t wait to get started and see what we create together!

Posted 19 Feb 2026 00:48
Rayyan K
Hi, my name is Rayyan, and I am a MArch 1 student, currently part of the Continuity atelier. I completed my undergraduate degree in architecture in India, where I gained experience working in practice across a range of projects, from small-scale residential work to urban-scale master planning. Alongside this, I also worked on independent professional projects, which helped me build confidence in both design thinking and technical delivery.

Through both university study and professional practice, I have developed a strong interest in adaptive reuse and context-led design. I am particularly interested in how architecture can respect heritage and craft while creating meaningful, people-centred spaces for the future.

I am excited to engage with the Unitarian church on this live project. Learning about their values of openness and community has been incredibly valuable, and I look forward to contributing thoughtfully to a design that supports their long-term vision.
Posted 19 Feb 2026 01:00
Niamh H
Hi, my name is Niamh and I’m an MArch 1 student at the Manchester School of Architecture, where I also completed my undergraduate degree. I completed my Part 1 placement at John McCall Architects in Liverpool and continue to work there alongside my master’s studies.

Through both practice and university projects, I’ve developed a strong interest in user-centred design and sustainability, with a focus on creating practical, well-considered spaces.

I’m looking forward to working on a live project and collaborating with the client and local community to deliver a thoughtful and effective proposal.
Posted 19 Feb 2026 08:35
Tin Yuet W
Hi! I’m Tin Yuet, but you can also call me Joyce! I completed my undergraduate studies in Hong Kong and am now a MArch candidate at MSA. I'm over in the Non-standard Habitat atelier this year. My design methodology centers on connectivity, linking people, history, and space. In this project, I aim to translate the storied past of Brookfield Unitarian Church into a functional, inclusive environment for Gorton’s modern community.
Posted 19 Feb 2026 09:07
Yige Z
Hi there, I’m Yige Zhao

Skills: Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop), AutoCAD, SketchUp

Course/Studio：Praxis, March

I am pursuing a Master's degree in Architecture at MSA. I have a strong interest in material systems, reuse strategies, and research-oriented architectural practice.
My works explore the relationship between the construction process and spatial design, often providing information for architectural schemes through system diagrams and research-based approaches. I particularly focus on how to transform waste materials into architectural and spatial strategies.
Posted 19 Feb 2026 12:33
Mariz Mamdouh Raafat L
Hii I’m Mariz,

I'm a first-year Architecture student and am especially interested in architecture that creates safe, inclusive spaces and supports people. I enjoy exploring how interior spaces can shape comfort and experience. Throughout this year, I have developed my skills in InDesign, Photoshop, and Procreate. I’m actively exploring my strengths and areas for growth and will use this opportunity to experiment, learn, and expand my knowledge.
Posted 19 Feb 2026 19:43
Jiage G
Hello, I am Jiage Gong from MAAR. My major is Adaptive and Reuse, and I enjoy exploring the connections between the old and the new in architecture, seeking to preserve historic buildings while breathing new life into them.
Skills: Photoshop, InDesign, SketchUp, Illustrator, Maya,, AutoCAD
Hobbies: Enjoy listening to music and reading novels
Posted 19 Feb 2026 23:18
Chengshuai Y
Hello, my name is Chengshuai Yuan , and I am currently studying Architecture and Adaptive Reuse. My undergraduate degree is from China. Over the past five years, I have not only learned about architecture, landscape architecture, and urban planning, but I have also personally participated in several residential projects. In addition, I enjoy traveling and exploring new and different things.
In terms of professional skills, I am proficient in SketchUp and Rhino, and Photoshop is also something I greatly enjoy.
Posted 20 Feb 2026 13:40
Esta M
Hi I’m Esta !

Hobbies: working out and flower arranging

Skills: adobe suite , revit , annologue skills.

I’m currently in BA1 and I have interest in sustainability, commercial development and community engagement!
Posted 21 Feb 2026 11:28
Javiera Del Carmen SH
Session 1: First Impressions & Fresh Energy

Today was all about new beginnings. We met for the first time, sharing our backgrounds and experiences in architecture, and quickly discovered how our different perspectives could shape something exciting.

We jumped straight into the project—brainstorming poster ideas and outlining deliverables before meeting our client for the first time. The session was inspiring and productive; we discussed his vision, shared our interpretation of the brief, and aligned on next steps.

A strong start, fresh ideas, and lots of momentum—exciting things ahead!
Posted 25 Feb 2026 10:06
Haoyan D
My name is Haoyan Duan , and I am a Chinese first-year BA Architecture student at the Manchester School of Architecture. I have a strong interest in site- and landscape-led design, and in the relationship between architecture, historical context and user experience. I aim to further develop my spatial thinking and technical skills throughout my studies, and to pursue an environmentally and socially responsible design approach. I am proficient in Photoshop and SketchUp, using them for visual communication, architectural collage and three-dimensional modelling to support design development.
Posted 3 Mar 2026 14:34