Group 26
LEARNING WITH LORETO

There are 150 Loreto schools across 6 continents and our brief is to create a conceptual design for a new school in Aweil, South Sudan. Through a series of workshops, we will collaborate with Loreto students. Our findings from this will inform how the new school building can support the students, teachers and wider community.

Aidira S / Boting R / Brygida F / Isabella J / Libby M / Muchen Z / Sarah M / Sethika S / Stephnine A / Thabisile M / Viola A

Stephnine A
Hey! My name is Stephnine (or Steph), I am a BA1 student in Manchester School of Architecture. I chose to study architecture as I love how the evolution of the world can be shown through buildings. Needless to say, I enjoy learning about the history of architecture, and how things have changed through time and I aspire to have a hand in shaping the future. For this project, I am most excited to learn about different customs and cultures in Sudan, using them to lead our creative direction. Loreto College is more than just a school for the students in Sudan; I can’t wait to have a part in such a meaningful project.
Posted 18 Feb 2026 12:52
Brygida F
Hi! I’m Gita (Brygida) and I’m excited to work on this project because of my interest in working and collaborating with people, being conscious of cultural contexts that I’m working on. I’m always excited about exploring different ways of implementing safe and sustainable designs to tackle issues within communities. Being in my first year at MSA, I look forward to working in a multidisciplinary team and building new skills in a professional work environment!
Posted 18 Feb 2026 15:00
Isabella J
Hi, I’m Isabella!
I am a MA1 student at the University of Manchester. Through my studies and placement year, I’ve developed strong skills in architectural programmes such as Revit, AutoCAD, and Photoshop, while still holding onto my love for hand drawing and making things by hand, the passion that first drew me to architecture.

I’m really excited to be working on such a unique project alongside my peers. I have a strong interest in vernacular and community-led design, and with my previous experience working in education, I’m looking forward to bringing my enthusiasm into working with Loreto. I’m especially keen to use workshops as a way to inform and inspire my architectural thinking while collaborating with the wider community.
Posted 19 Feb 2026 10:44
Muchen Z
Hi, I am Muchen, a Architecture and Adaptive Reuse student from China.

During my undergraduate architectural studies, I mastered Rhino and SU modeling skills, D5 rendering skills, and gained a basic understanding of Grasshopper. I enjoy making handcrafted models and have tried working with various materials for models.

The oversaturation of the Chinese construction industry has led me to consider and act on a shift towards the professional direction of reusing existing buildings. Now my research focuses on the reuse and adaptive transformation of abandoned buildings, and the preliminary research based on community and geographical context is also very important in this field.

My knowledge of South Sudan comes from a relative who was a member of the Chinese peacekeeping force stationed there. I was deeply impressed by the destruction of architecture and even social culture in conflict areas. This has made me very interested and motivated to help with the reconstruction of post-war areas and the reconnection of culture and architecture.
Posted 19 Feb 2026 15:53
Sarah M
Hi, I’m Sarah!

I’m a MArch 1 student in Some Kind of Nature Atelier. Before this, I completed a MEng in Architecture and Environmental Design, which deepened my understanding of sustainability and strengthened my commitment to eco-friendly design. This experience shapes how I think about architecture, pushing me to consider climate, materials, and long-term ecological impact as integral to the design process.

My work is strongly influenced by care, feminism and socially sustainable design. I’m interested in how architecture can challenge power dynamics and create spaces that truly feel inclusive. I’m especially drawn to community-led approaches that treat nature’s needs as equal to ours and ask who and what we are designing for.

I’m really looking forward to working together on this project and exploring how architectural ideas can genuinely respond to social contexts, real experiences, and ecological responsibility.
Posted 19 Feb 2026 18:31
Libby M
Hi, I'm Libby and I'm a MArch 1 student in the Infrastructure Space Atelier. Through my studies I have focused on the impact that the built environment has on the well-being of people and communities. I put this into practice during my time in industry, where I mostly worked on the retrofit of listed buildings.

I think that user engagement is a key part of every design process, and I have previously run co-design workshops during my studies and attended community engagement events whilst in practice. I'm looking forward to building these skills through the MSA Live project by working with a range of stakeholders.
Posted 20 Feb 2026 12:33
Viola A
My name is Viola and I am a first-year BA student from London. My passion for the built environment is deeply entwined with my commitment to human rights, particularly in exploring architecture’s role in preserving cultural and collective memory and restoring communities. I look forward to working with students at Loreto College on this exciting new venture, ensuring that our collaborative efforts provide functional spaces for female education and make a lasting social impact.
Posted 20 Feb 2026 12:58
Aidira S
Aidira Smailova - BA1 Architecture, MSA

I chose architecture because I've always been fascinated by how spaces influence the way people feel, behave, and connect. Growing up multiple countries because of my mom's further education exposed me to different cultures and buildings, and I became curious about how design reflects identity and values. Architecture felt like the perfect balance between creativity, analytical thinking, and social responsibility.

What I enjoy most is the process, researching context, analysing site conditions, and transforming ideas into spatial solutions. I am particularly interested in how architecture can support wellbeing and shape stronger communities through thoughtful design decisions.

For the South Sudan girls' school conceptual design project, I am excited to design something with genuine social impact. Creating a safe, climate-responsive, and culturally sensitive learning environment feels incredibly meaningful. I look forward to exploring how local materials, spatial organisation, and community values can shape a school that empowers and inspires its students.
Posted 22 Feb 2026 14:46
Sethika S
Hi! I’m Sethika, a BA1 student from Cambodia. I chose architecture because I want to have a hand in shaping the world; to heal it socially, environmentally, and economically. The thing I enjoy most about architecture is drawing as a means of comprehension and communication. For this project, I’m most excited about envisioning the many ways that Loreto College can be built to accommodate and inspire the children of Aweil. I feel thankful to be part of a project that resonates deeply with me and the kind of work I want to be involved in as a professional.
Posted 22 Feb 2026 15:11
Thabisile M
Hi! I’m Thabisile, a Foundation Year student at the Manchester School of Architecture, helping to design the forthcoming school in Aweil. I got into architecture because of how well-rounded the subject can be; it’s a balance between philanthropy, art, logic, and business. It challenges how I think. As personally fulfilling as architecture is, I also enjoy the community that it creates. Architectural design connects like-minded people, in the same way that MSA Live has. I’m excited to work with my peers to create something that has an impact on a community outside of my own. Loreto Sixth Form is the college I attended for my A-Levels and it’s great knowing I have the opportunity to work with them to help develop the skills and confidence of other girls, just as Loreto did for me.
Posted 22 Feb 2026 18:32