Group 25
DREAM BUILDERS

This project is a collaborative design initiative between the Manchester School of Architecture and Oswald Road Primary School in Chorlton, Manchester. Through a series of participatory workshops, Year 4 pupils (aged 8–9) will contribute ideas toward small-scale architectural interventions for a new preschool extension beginning construction in 2026. Using hands-on methods such as drawing, model-making, and material exploration, children will learn how architects design spaces while actively shaping elements of their school environment. The project aims to foster creativity, design thinking, and child agency, embedding the pupils perspectives meaningfully within the development of their built environment.

Daria R / Elodie B / Eman S / Fatima R / Kenza T / Kristen Meridith K / Nadin ER / Nurul Atiqah Binti MA / Sabina L / Saif H / Shiya Z

Nadin ER
Meet the team!
Hello we are group 25 and we are working with Oswald Primary School to collaborate with the Year 4 students, giving them the opportunity to share their ideas and creativity in the design of a new nursery built as an extension to their school.
Posted 3 Feb 2026 22:43
Nurul Atiqah Binti MA
Hi everyone,

I’m Atiqah, a fifth-year Master’s student. I completed my undergraduate degree in Malaysia, where I first became interested in how architecture can shape experiences and everyday life. I’m excited to continue developing my design thinking and to learn from the MSA LIVE community project.
Posted 4 Feb 2026 22:31
Daria R
Hi everyone!

My name is Daria. I’m Russian and previously lived in Prague, where I completed most of my education. I’m currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture at MSA, where I’m learning more about how form, structure, and space interact to shape human experience. I’m looking forward to taking part in the MSA Live Project, collaborating with new people, and learning valuable skills from my peers.
Posted 5 Feb 2026 08:32
Nadin ER
Hey everyone!

My name is Nadine, I'm Egyptian. Im currently in BA1 and I'm looking forward to working with group 25 and combining our perspectives and experiences to create something with the Year 4s in Oswald Road Primary School!
Posted 6 Feb 2026 20:12
Eman S
Hello! My name is Eman, I’m currently in MArch 1 in Atelier CPU and I’m really looking forward to working with Group 25 and combining our perspectives and experiences to create something special and memorable with the Year 4s at Oswald Road Primary School!
Posted 6 Feb 2026 20:26
Shiya Z
Hello everyone！
My name is Shiya Zeng, I am from China and currently studying at MAAR. I am delighted to be part of MSA Live and work as a team with all of you. I believe we can leverage each other's strengths to solve the problems we encounter. I look forward to collaborating with you all!
Posted 6 Feb 2026 20:27
Kristen Meridith K
Hi! My name is Kristen, and I am currently in March 1. I am excited to contribute to the group and the project for Oswald Road Primary School. I look forward to exploring, investigating, and collaboratively finding solutions to create a strong, positive outcome. I am eager to learn from everyone and work together!
Posted 6 Feb 2026 20:53
Saif H
Hi Everyone!

I’m Saif. I’m a fifth-year part-time Masters student and I also work as an Architectural Assistant at SimpsonHaugh. I’m really looking forward to working with the team and working with the Year 4s at Oswald Road Primary School to make it a memorable experience for them!
Posted 7 Feb 2026 11:53
Fatima R
Hello!

I am Fatima. An eager and adaptable foundation year student who is looking forward to working with more experienced architecture students in my group.
Posted 10 Feb 2026 13:38
Nadin ER
03/02/2026

This day was our first time meeting up as a group, and we spent some time getting to know one another, and identifying each person’s strengths so we could work effectively throughout the project. We then met up with Laura, an architect and educator, and Helen, a teacher at Oswald Road Primary School, to discuss the direction of our project, and better understand their aims and ideas. They further explained their expectations, which helped guide our next step and allowed us to come up with ideas for their project, especially regarding the primary children’s involvement in the project.
Posted 2 Mar 2026 23:39
Nadin ER
17/02/2026

This day was more about coming together after meeting with our collaborators to develop our ideas for the project and also to think about our project timeline and costs. We split up the tasks so that they were equally divided between all the group members for efficiency. We also worked together in brainstorming activities for the year 4 students, which allowed us to find similar precedents for inspiration and to use as a reference when communicating with our collaborators. Our structured approach for the day improved our overall productivity and created a strong sense of teamwork within the group.
Posted 2 Mar 2026 23:59
Nadin ER
03/03/2026
We planned a visit to the school and we headed over there to discuss our plans with Laura and Helen. We decided on the activities we would come back and do with the students and looked at the materials we would need. We had a look around the school to understand the site and to see if we wanted to incorporate any elements we find around the school in our project. We also had the chance to have a peak inside the construction site where the extension of the school would be.
Posted 20 Apr 2026 12:32
Nadin ER
17/03/2026
We spent this Tuesday preparing for the workshop and distributing responsibilities. We had to focus on how we would present the activities to the pupils and how it would be organized so that they complete the tasks and also find it enjoyable. We created a day plan and finalized everything so that we had everything ready for the workshop. We also decided on the day of the workshop with Laura and Helen and figured it would be most suitable for us to have it done on the 21st of April.
Posted 20 Apr 2026 12:40
Nadin ER
16/04/2026
With 5 days until our workshop at the school, we went to the MTC to print all the things we would need for the activities. We printed 3 copies of everything for each of the classes and split them up so that we would have it ready on Tuesday.
Posted 20 Apr 2026 12:47
Nadin ER
21/04/2026

Workshop day! We went to the school and split up between 3 classrooms to lead the day long workshops. Our first workshop was to design your own playground, where the students had to place stickers and draw anything they feel they would want and need in a playground. This was to strengthen their abilities to organise a space. Our second workshop was for them to create their own 3d model playground item, like a swing, slide, or anything else they had in mind. We gave them straws and clay and let their creativity run wild. For the last and final workshop, they designed buildings of a city out of recycled items and the whole class came together and placed all their creations onto a map, creating a combined city. It was a successful day and they all enjoyed and were more cooperative than we expected.
Posted 11 May 2026 10:32