Group 15
SEED TO SOURCE

We are working closely with Growing Togetherness CIC, a community interest company based in Salford that promotes social cohesion, wellbeing, and environmental sustainability through shared spaces and food growing. Operating from Seedley Pavilion Community Café and Gardens, they provide an inclusive environment that supports mental health, learning, and a strong sense of belonging. With a people-first and environmentally conscious ethos, Growing Togetherness stand as grassroots advocates for community-led stewardship of land and resources. Our collaborators would like students at MSA to help them explore the future potential of their site, with a particular focus on water as a shared resource. Over the course of our action weeks, we will be developing proposals for low-tech, accessible water storage and harvesting strategies that can support community allotments and everyday use of the gardens. This work will culminate in the production of a short walk-through virtual video and supporting drawings, communicating a wider masterplan vision for the site. We won’t just be designing; we’ll be researching, engaging with users, testing ideas, and learning how small environmental interventions can strengthen community resilience.

Anna-Marie P / Cheuk Wing L / Damla T / Lily A / Phoebe P / Qianzi W / Rhys B / Sara Salah Eddin Omran A / Tina L / Xiaoyue W / Yasmine E

Damla T
Hi everyone,

I'm Damla, a 5th year Masters student in the &Architecture atelier. I completed my undergraduate degree here at MSA too, where I became interested in user-centred design. I'm excited to continue developing my interest and creative thinking through this MSA Live project, working with the Growing Togetherness Community Garden
Posted 10 Feb 2026 11:23
Rhys B
I'm Rhys, a 5th year Masters Student studying on the Non Standard Habitats Atelier. I also studied my undergraduate degree at MSA between 2019 & 2022. I have an interest in Green spaces, Urban farming and Localised Circular Economies. Growing Togetherness is a great oppurtunity to learn about the design & operation of community allotments and their value to users and residents living nearby.
Posted 10 Feb 2026 11:32
Yasmine E
Hi, I’m Yasmine, I’m a first-year master’s student in the SKN atelier, and I did my undergrad at the University of Kent. Through studying architecture, I’ve really grown interested in community-focused projects, especially ones that are environmentally conscious. I’m excited to be working with Growing Togetherness CIC and to learn more about community gardens along the way.
Posted 10 Feb 2026 11:34
Phoebe P
Hi i'm Phoebe, a first year masters student I am in PRAXIS atelier and have an interest in projects with community and cultural impact.
Posted 10 Feb 2026 11:35
Cheuk Wing L
Hi I’m Cherlyn:) I’m currently a MArch1 student and part of the SKN atelier. After graduating from Newcastle University I spent sometime in the industry before starting my masters. Over the years, I’ve developed a strong interest sustainable, community-focused approaches to architecture. I’m looking forward to collaborating with our group and the Growing Togetherness CIC team and seeing how this project develops. 🌱
Posted 10 Feb 2026 11:36
Anna-Marie P
Hi everyone!
I’m Annie. I’m Czech, but I grew up in Cardiff. I’m currently in my first year of the Bachelor’s programme at MSA. I’ve developed a strong interest in how structure and landscape interact to shape human experience, which I hope to further explore through my MSA Live project, Growing Togetherness.
Posted 10 Feb 2026 11:37
Lily A
Hi I’m Lily! I’m a first-year student in the Bachelor’s programme at MSA. I’m Egyptian, and I’ve grown up between Dubai, Switzerland, and London. Having experienced different cultures and environments, I’ve developed a strong interest in how architecture responds to diverse social and urban contexts. I’m excited to further explore these ideas through my MSA Live project, Growing Togetherness.
Posted 10 Feb 2026 11:37
Tina L
I’m Tina, I’m a BA1 student. I’m Chinese but I grew up here in the UK and I’m interested in sustainability. I’m excited to work on this project of growing togetherness as I see this as an opportunity to gain some experience
Posted 17 Feb 2026 14:06
Xiaoyue W
Hi everyone,

I’m Xiaoyue Wan, a Master’s student in MA Architecture and Adaptive Reuse. I’m interested in sustainable design, working with nature, and adapting existing buildings to better support communities and green spaces. I’m really looking forward to actively contributing to the Growing Togetherness project.
Posted 17 Feb 2026 14:16
Qianzi W
Hi,I am Qianzi Wu(Luna). I study architecture adaptive reuse in the MSA.
Adaptive strategy is good for the environment and meaningful. I wish to have the chance to work for the real project.
Posted 17 Feb 2026 14:33
Sara Salah Eddin Omran A

Hi, I’m Sara!! I am a first‑year BA Architecture student at MSA. Growing up in Qatar with Libyan roots has made me really aware of how different places shape the way people live and connect. That perspective has made me especially interested in the social side of architecture and how it supports everyday communities, which is something I really care about. I’m excited to keep learning, experimenting, and finding my own direction as a designer through my MSA live project, Growing Togetherness!
Posted 25 Feb 2026 00:34
Damla T
03/02/2026

Hello! We are Group 15, collaborating with Growing Togetherness CIC to develop a low-tech water harvesting and storage strategy within their allotment space at Seedley Pavilion Café and Gardens.
We began our first session with an introductory icebreaker, which gave us the opportunity to understand each other’s backgrounds, interests and architectural strengths that could contribute to the project. This helped establish how we might distribute roles and responsibilities moving forward.
We then played an interactive round of ‘Would You Rather?’ which allowed us to identify both soft and technical skills within the group. The exercise helped clarify who might take the lead in areas such as communication, graphic production, research and coordination.
Overall, the session set a productive foundation for the weeks ahead. We are looking forward to working collaboratively with Growing Togetherness CIC and exploring practical, low-tech strategies that can meaningfully support the Seedley Pavilion Gardens.
Posted 3 Mar 2026 14:16
Damla T
03/02/2026

Following our initial icebreaker session, we had a brief meeting with the Director of Growing Togetherness CIC, Mark Frith. The discussion helped clarify what he is expecting from us, particularly in terms of developing a second entrance to the garden which promotes better circulation to the allotment space. We asked the questions we had prepared about site conditions, outputs and constraints, which helped narrow the scope of the project and gave us clearer direction moving forward. After the meeting, we created a group chat with Mark and our group members to organise communication and ensure we stay coordinated as the project progresses. Although short, the meeting was useful in confirming expectations and setting a focused starting point for the next stage.
Posted 3 Mar 2026 14:19
Damla T
08/02/2026

This week we visited the site with Mark to see the space first-hand. We started by looking through a collection of old postcards from throughout the park’s history, which gave us a sense of how the space has changed over time and how it has been used by the community.
Mark then walked us around the gardens, explaining the different planting areas and the types of vegetation being grown. He spoke about their experimental approach to growing in response to the UK climate, and how they are constantly testing what works best in changing conditions.
He also talked about the main entrance and the wider improvements happening around the park. After gaining permission, works have been carried out to improve access and increase footfall, helping make the space more visible and welcoming to the community.
Overall, the visit made the project feel more grounded and helped us better understand the environmental and social context we’re working within.
Posted 3 Mar 2026 14:25
Damla T
10/02/2026

This week we had an informal meet-up to brainstorm ideas for our project poster. As a group made up of BA1, MArch1 and MLA1 students, we had to plan around different timetables and studio commitments, so the session was arranged independently to make sure everyone could contribute.
We started with quick, rough sketches to test possible layouts and think about how to clearly communicate our water harvesting strategy without overcomplicating it. During the session, we also agreed on our group name, Seed to Source, which reflects the journey of water through the site, from collection and storage to supporting growth within the gardens. Establishing the name helped give the poster a clearer direction and identity.
Posted 3 Mar 2026 14:26
Damla T
17/02/2026

For our second official meeting, we focused on the more practical aspects of the project. We began drafting a risk assessment sheet, identifying potential hazards on site and considering how our proposed interventions could be implemented safely. This helped us think more realistically about working within an active garden environment.
We also developed an initial project timeline and a rough budget proposal to outline key stages and estimate material costs. Breaking the project down into phases made the scope feel more manageable and highlighted where further research is needed.
Alongside this, we finalised the poster design, incorporating feedback from our earlier sketches, and uploaded the completed version. This week felt more structured and task-oriented, allowing us to move from ideas into clearer planning and delivery.
Posted 3 Mar 2026 14:30
Yasmine E
03/03/2026

Today we brainstormed ideas on how to engage with the community at the garden ahead of our second site visit next weekend. We decided to collate precedents of water features which we will print and show the volunteers and members of the Salford Croquet Club who play on Saturday afternoons. We are planning on giving them coloured paper to vote for which ideas they like or dislike, allowing us to get a holistic idea on what design style is favoured before we start designing the water feature in the coming weeks, as well as allowing the community to have a say in the design process.
Posted 3 Mar 2026 15:31