Group 32
STREET RECLAIM

The MCC has developed the School Streets scheme to improve road safety and encourage children to take more active transport methods to school. The scheme is continually growing and currently has three road closures in place. We have been offered the exciting opportunity, to design the first community assets in place of these initial road closures. We hope to collaborate with the MCC, local schools and organise community engagement events to ensure an appropriate and well thought addition to the spaces. The School Streets programme is extremely beneficial to the pupil’s experience of getting to school, and we are delighted to participate in improving this experience for the communities.

Adam I / Boxuan S / Catalina GM / Dingchao X / Gokalp K / Isobel M / Jemima F / Pauline A / Shao Xuan J / Zehra C / Zixin P

Isobel M
Name: Isobel Mobbs
Course: M.Arch 1
Atelier: Continuity

I was born and raised in Leeds and completed my bachelor's degree in De Montfort University in Leicester. During my undergraduate I completed a dissertation on women’s safety in urban spaces and was shortlisted for the RIBA East Midlands Award for my final year studio project.

I am predominantly interested in the communal impacts of architecture. I approach design from the personal perspective, initially focusing on the needs of locals and apply these as a priority to my given brief. I am currently in the Continuity Atelier which is centred around the context of place, and I hope to bring this approach to my MSA Live project this year.
Posted 20 Feb 2026 12:23
Pauline A
Name: Pauline Joyce M. Alviz
Course: M.Arch 1
Atelier: &Architecture

After completing my undergraduate degree at Manchester School of Architecture, I spent my Part 1 in London, where I worked on a healthcare project in Jersey. Being part of a larger team helped me understand how complex projects come together, balancing technical input, programme demands, and design quality, while keeping the people using the building in mind.

However, I’m also keen on taking on small-scale, community-led work. I enjoy projects where working closely with others shapes the design, and where decisions can be made quickly and thoughtfully in response to everyday needs. I am keen on roles that value this approach, projects that might be modest in scale, but have a major impact, because they allow architecture to feel grounded, practical, and connected to the communities it serves.
Posted 20 Feb 2026 12:59
Zixin P
Name: Lily Peng
Course: M.Arch 1
Atelier: Infrastructure space

I completed my undergraduate study at the MSA too. After gaining some experience in the industry, I decided to return to MSA for MArch degree.

I'm mainly interested in the relationship between designed space and the people who use a space. I am of the opinion that the environment deeply affects how people act, feel, and interact, oppositely, their behaviour informs us how to design the space as well. Because of this, my projects always look at how design influences the lives of the occupants, and just as importantly, how understanding human needs should guide the design process from the start. This user-first mindset is basically the heart of my design approach.
Posted 20 Feb 2026 13:15
Catalina GM
Name: Catalina George Morales

Course: BA (Hons)

As a first year student, I am currently developing my skills and deepening my understanding of social and urban design. Taking part in the School Street Initiative project allows me to apply my learning to a real-world brief and contribute to creating greener, safer environments for local communities and school streets.

Having previously taken part in Shape My City, a Design West programme that introduces young people to collaborative design in the built environment, I was excited to be involved in this project. People-centred design is what motivates me most, and I am particularly interested in how architecture and urban design can create more inclusive, sustainable, and community-focused spaces. I look forward to collaborating with my team and Manchester City Council :)
Posted 20 Feb 2026 13:20
Jemima F
Name: Jemima Foster
Course: BA1

Hi everyone,
My names Jemima, I'm from Devon and Melbourne and I'm currently in my first year of Architecture at MSA and excited to move forward with Architecture!

I am passionate about all things outdoors, like environmental design and particularly off grid living. As well as this I enjoy working with communities and architecture that directly helps, engages and supports with people. I look forward to being able to harness this passion in this project!
Posted 20 Feb 2026 15:42
Boxuan S
Name: Boxuan Shi (Tiffany)
Course: BA (Hons)

Hi everyone!

I am Tiffany Shi from China. I came to the UK to study in high school. Now I am study in BA Architecture and this is my first year in Manchester.

I am interested in model making and handwork. Also, I am really interested in the connection between building and environment. And something like combining building and traditional culture.

I am glad to have this opportunity to be able to work together with this project.
Posted 20 Feb 2026 17:30
Shao Xuan J
Name: Shao Xuan Jeang
Course: M.Arch 1
Atelier: Non-Standard Habitat

Hi everyone,
My name is Shao Xuan, and currently in MArch 1 in the Non-Standard Habitat atelier. I am from Malaysia, where I completed my bachelor’s degree in architecture.

During my academic years, I have always prioritized the connection between the architecture and people, how they resonate with each other. Through MSA live, I find a great opportunity for me to engage in real community project. I’m excited to continue this journey and look forward to learning together with my teammate in the future.
Posted 21 Feb 2026 20:02
Adam I
Name: Adam Ibrahim
Course: BA1

Hi everyone,
I’m Adam, a first-year BA Architecture student at MSA.
I grew up between England and Morocco, and these experiences have shaped my understanding of space, community, and a sense of belonging. I’m particularly drawn to the social impact of architecture and its ability to create positive change in people’s lives.

After an earthquake hit the Al Haouz region, Morocco, I volunteered with The International Association of Rotary Clubs to help with the construction of a primary school. Being part of that project allowed me to see how powerful architecture can be when it responds directly to the real needs of a community, especially children.

In addition, I am interested in modern minimalist architecture and photography, as these two subjects influence my perception of space.

I am looking forward to contributing to MSA Live and working with students from different years and learning from a range of perspectives. I hope to bring my experiences, empathy, and enthusiasm to collaborative work that contributes meaningfully to the project and the wider architectural conversation.
Posted 24 Feb 2026 03:03
Dingchao X
Name: Dingchao Xin
Course: BA1

Hi, I am Dingchao Xin. I come from zhejiang China. Attended Zhenhai High School during secondary education.I currently studying in BA Architecture and this is my first year in MSA.

I have always maintained a passion for architecture. I am still learning how to design buildings and attempting some foundational work. I am also continuously learning various software programmes and endeavouring to master them.
Posted 2 Mar 2026 13:23
Gokalp K
Name: Gökalp Kalfa
Course: M.Arch 1
Atelier: Non-Standart Habitats

Hi everyone!

I am Gökalp, I completed my Bachelor’s degree at Yasar University in Turkey, graduating as the top student of the Architecture Department. During my studies, I spent a semester at ARCHIP in Prague as an Erasmus+ student, where I was honored with the "Best Studio Project" award. Following my graduation, I worked as a professional architect at various firms in Turkey, gaining extensive experience in everything from design development and technical detailing to site supervision and visualization.
My design approach combines narrative-driven thinking with spatial experimentation, supported by digital tools and research-led processes. To date, I have participated in numerous architectural competitions both individually and as part of various teams. My work has been recognized with Honorable Mentions in international competitions like "Re-Using Barcelona Rooftops" and "Kingspan Microhome," alongside several national awards.
Posted 3 Mar 2026 14:49
Zehra C
Name: Zehra Çelik
Course: M.Arch 1
Atelier: Flux
I am Zehra Çelik, a Master's student at the Manchester School of
Architecture. I graduated from Yaşar University's Department of Architecture in 2024 and studied in Prague during my third year of undergraduate studies as part of the Erasmus+ program. This international experience enhanced my design approach and cultural perspective, while strengthening my ability to think and produce at different scales. Throughout my studies and after graduation, I participated in numerous architectural competitions, winning various awards; these processes significantly contributed to my critical thinking, the development of conceptual depth, and the ability to express design decisions powerfully.

For me, architecture is a powerful tool with the potential to improve human life. I believe that design can influence an individual's emotions, transform their behavior, and provide new perspectives. Therefore, I see space not merely as a physical structure, but as an environment that produces experience and meaning. Architecture, while a multi-layered field that develops through interaction with different disciplines, is also a powerful intellectual and creative production practice in its own right; this structure allows me to produce more inclusive and effective design solutions.
Posted 3 Mar 2026 14:58
Isobel M
Week 1 - 3/02/2026

Today marked the first meeting of our team. To start off, we began with introducing ourselves, exchanging initial ideas, and discussing our first impressions of the project. It was great to hear everyone’s perspectives and enthusiasm, and the conversation helped us start building a shared understanding of the direction we might take.

In the afternoon, we met our collaborators from Manchester city council Kate and Mike. We are going to collaborate with them on the School Street Initiative which is part of the Manchester active travel strategy and Investment Plan (MATSIP). As part of this wider programme, our focus will be on two schools near the university campus. The aim is to develop creative design proposals to revitalise the school street environment, making it safer, more welcoming, and more vibrant for the community. Since school streets are closely connected to children’s everyday experiences, we are particularly looking forward to engaging with them during the intensive week. This will be an opportunity to better understand their perspectives and include their ideas and needs.

As next step, we continue researching precedents projects and planning documents as reference to understand how design could be approached, identifying what has worked well elsewhere and what could be improved. By doing this, we hope to build a more holistic understanding of the school street project and bring our findings together for discussion with our collaborators in the next session.
Posted 3 Mar 2026 15:23
Pauline A
Week 2 - 17/02/2026

This week focused on research and analysis. With three major school sites to consider, we divided into three groups so we could investigate each location thoroughly and efficiently. Our main aim was to understand the character of each site, identifying its potential as well as its weaknesses and constraints.

Because the project centres on roads and access, we paid close attention to how movement currently works in and around each site. This included reviewing traffic patterns and congestion points, mapping pedestrian routes and crossing behaviour, and noting where conflicts occur between vehicles and people. We also considered the wider impact of any potential road closures, looking at who would be affected and how—such as students and parents during drop-off and pick-up times, local residents, public transport users, emergency services, and nearby businesses.

In addition, we explored a range of possible road-based interventions, considering both temporary measures (such as timed closures, cones/barriers, signage, and stewarding) and longer-term, permanent changes (such as revised junction layouts, traffic calming, widened pavements, improved crossings, and reconfigured drop-off zones). We will need to communicate and illustrate these options clearly to our collaborator, showing how each intervention could work in practice and what impacts it may have on circulation and safety.
By the end of the week, we had a clearer picture of how each site functions day-to-day and the key challenges that would need to be addressed. This research sets a strong foundation for developing informed proposals that improve safety, accessibility, and overall circulation without creating unintended disruption to the surrounding area.
Posted 3 Mar 2026 16:02
Zixin P
Week 3 - 03/03/2026

Today we presented and reviewed the site analysis we have been developing since our last meeting. We have each developed an understanding of our chosen sites in smaller groups and were enthusiastic to hear about each other’s work today.

For each site, we went through analysis of traffic routes, congestion points and important crossing areas. It was pivotal to gain an understanding of the potential weak points in the existing site before moving into the design stage of the project. This is beneficial in our process as safety and travel routes are at the forefront of this project. We also discussed what each of the schools and wider community had access to and, in contrast, what each could be wanting. These included things such as availability to green spaces, playground equipment and communal meeting spaces. Now that we have identified these elements we can confidently move forward in the design process to developing site specific interventions. Each site is unique and poses an exciting opportunity for a community space we look forward to working on.

Before the next session we have arranged for a second meeting with our collaborators to organise community engagement meetings with the schools relevant to this project. This will be an opportunity for us to refine the community opinion of the sites in person, rather than relying solely on our initial desktop studies. We look forward to expanding the depth of this project through these conversations.
Posted 4 Mar 2026 16:57