Group 20
DENS OF DISCOVERY

In collaboration with the Common Land Collective, the proposed scheme introduces a series of ‘Dens’ set within the luscious countryside plot on Carter Lane in Chelford, Macclesfield. Designed as welcoming spaces for land-based learning and preservation, the dens act as collaborative sanctuaries for expression, teaching, and making. Rooted in recycling, carbon education, and the active preservation of biodiversity, wildlife, and water, the project aims to nurture a stronger connection between the local community and the surrounding landscape.

Carter J / Charles S / Deling H / Emer M / Hana N / Katherine T / Mase AM / Olivia T / Pengjia D / Umar M / Yiding X

Umar M
SESSION 01: MEET THE COLLABORATOR

The team gathered for their first meeting, which began with brief introductions and an insight into the stages each of us was at in our architectural journeys. It was interesting to see just how varied our specialities are, and it provided an opportunity to understand the diverse array of skills each of us could bring to the project. We then delved into the brief, gaining a broad understanding of the requirements, the site and our collaborator: The Common Land Collective (CLC). With many questions still in the air as to how we could best approach the project, we broke into pairs to gather more information on a specific aspect of the project to later discuss, share and build a common understanding of the project's potential. In the hour before our meeting with our collaborator, we discussed potential team names, poster design, and questions we had for the CLC.

During our meeting with the CLC, we were given a presentation by two members of the organisation which covered the details of the site, the projected timeline, and their ambitions. We were all thoroughly engaged and met them with equal enthusiasm, asking many questions that gave us a clearer vision for the project. Finally, we attended to the last matter of business: the team name. After thorough consideration and a tough voting campaign, we landed on the name The Eco Dens Collective.

Overall, the first meeting was a rousing success and gave us the running start we needed. We look forward to the project's future and hope the sessions moving forward continue this momentum to achieve our collective ambitions.
Posted 11 Feb 2026 01:36
Charles S
Charlie Smith

MArch 1 // Some Kind of Nature [Atelier]

Hi! I’m Charlie, I'm from Preston and completed my undergraduate degree at The University of Edinburgh. During my year out I travelled around Japan and South East Asia, before returning to the UK and settling in Bristol to work for a council-backed, city decarbonisation initiative. I have a strong interest in sustainable building design through adaptive reuse and construction material innovation, and being part of SKN at MSA is allowing me to develop this area of my learning further.

I can't wait to get stuck into the Dens of Discovery project with the Common Garden Collective so that we can immerse the local community within the landscape and provide education on the preservation of non-human environments and use of natural materials.
Posted 23 Feb 2026 20:28
Umar M
Umar Mahmood

MArch 1 // &rchitecture
[Atelier]

Hello, my name is Umar! I'm from Birmingham, and I completed my undergraduate degree at Coventry University. I then completed my year-out as part of the Urban Design team at an architectural practice in Coventry. Throughout my studies and professional practice, I have developed an interest in designing architectural solutions to address complex social issues, such as workplace mental health, apathy, and loneliness in later living, implementing innovative design strategies with sustainably sourced construction materials. AND's focus on solving real-world issues through community engagement workshops and exploration of form through modelling and mapping exercises provided an opportunity to explore my interests through developing an adapative reuse of an old Tudor town hall.

I am looking forward to getting involved on the ground at Macclesfield to work on the Dens of Discovery project with the Common Land Collective. I am particularly excited to investigate which recycled materials we can use to build dens and habitats for the wildlife of Macclesfield, while teaching residents about sustainable construction and wildlife preservation.
Posted 24 Feb 2026 22:48
Katherine T
Hi i’m Kate, a BA1 student at the Manchester School of Architecture. I chose this project because I’m really interested in sustainable design and think that the dens are a great opportunity to learn about this in a fun and meaningful way. In my free time I love trying new things and am excited that working with others in this project can help me to develop my architectural skills.
Posted 25 Feb 2026 16:43
Olivia T
Hi I'm Liv, a foundation student. I was really interested in this specific project due to sustainability and helping bring environmental awareness. I'm interested in the different ways of recycling and especially have a interest in textiles, 3D work, and photography. With this project I hope to further expand my architectural skills.
Posted 3 Mar 2026 11:18
Yiding X
Hi! I'm Yiding, a postgraduate student in Architecture at MSA, with a deep focus on adaptive reuse. I am passionate about reimagining existing structures to meet modern needs while preserving their heritage. I am excited to explore innovative strategies in material reuse, structural retrofitting, and community engagement. I am particularly drawn to the Dens of Discovery project, as it aligns with my passion for transforming underused spaces into vibrant, inclusive environments that foster connection and education. I look forward to collaborating with the team to create spaces that honor the past and build a sustainable future.
Posted 3 Mar 2026 13:51
Yiding X
SESSION 02: DIVING INTO DETAILS
Building on the momentum of our first successful meeting, the team reconvened for Session 2, ready to translate our collective vision into actionable steps. The day began with a clear focus: to structure our work and deepen our understanding of the project’s core challenges.
We started by formalising our team structure, splitting into four specialised groups, each led by a Masters student and capped at three members. This intentional division of labour was designed to ensure we could dive deep into our respective areas while maintaining a cohesive project trajectory. The groups were formed around our individual interests and expertise:
Group 1 (Research/Physical Model Team): Focused on materials research and feasibility studies.
Group 2 (Concept Design/Physical Model Team): Tasked with testing den form ideas and conducting precedent analysis.
Group 3 (Planning Drawings Team): Investigating the potential functions of the dens and how they could extend into the wider site.
Group 4 (Digital Model Team): Also exploring the potential uses of the dens within the broader site context, complementing Group 3’s work.
Each group was assigned clear deliverables to bring to our next session, ensuring we all had a tangible focus for our work in the coming weeks.
A key highlight of the meeting was the detailed planning for our upcoming site visit, scheduled for Wednesday, 4th March 2026. We finalised travel arrangements, with the team set to travel from Manchester Piccadilly to Chelford by train, and discussed the logistics of our visit, including the remaining project budget. Additionally, we identified a smaller team to lead a community engagement site visit, with further details to be confirmed.
We also addressed critical project administration, assigning key responsibilities for deliverables due on the 6th of March: a Risk Assessment, Ethics Application, and Project Timeline.
The afternoon was dedicated to a rich discussion on community engagement. We brainstormed survey questions for the residents of Chelford, focusing on their daily habits, recycling practices, and relationship with wildlife. This led to exciting potential design outcomes, such as using recycled materials like Ecobricks in construction, creating structures that support local species, and involving the community in building the dens over time. We also discussed engaging with local businesses for waste materials and schools for educational workshops, turning the project into a community-driven initiative.
Overall, Session 2 was a day of clear direction and productive collaboration. We left the meeting with a solid plan, assigned tasks, and a renewed sense of purpose. As we move forward, we are excited to conduct our site visit, engage with the local community, and continue building the foundations of our project.
Posted 3 Mar 2026 15:27
Carter J
Posted 3 Mar 2026 15:29
Deling H
Hi, I’m Deling, a postgraduate architecture student at MSA.I’m interested in how existing buildings can be rethought and adapted rather than demolished. My work focuses on sustainability, material reuse, and making spaces more inclusive and future-ready. I enjoy exploring how design can respond to real social and environmental needs, not just aesthetics.

Through this project, I hope to contribute thoughtful ideas and collaborate with others to create meaningful, adaptable spaces.
Posted 3 Mar 2026 15:34
Pengjia D
March 1
Hi, my name is Pengjia Dai. You can just call me Daisy. I’m a postgraduate student from MSA. I graduated from the University of Liverpool. During the gap year, I interned at many types of companies. It’s my first time engage in a landscape project. Because of the TV show ‘Clarkson’s Farm’, then I got interested in the ecology and agriculture in the UK. I'm happy to join this project and put it into practice.
Posted 3 Mar 2026 15:40