3/2/26

SESSION 1: INTRODUCTION

Today we had our first meeting as a group getting to know each other and where our journeys have taken us so far. Each of us have varied backgrounds and are at different points in life which was useful in seeing what our skills are best adapted to. We made sure to get everyone involved in design ideas for our initial task of producing a poster for our project, which was very successful combining multiple ideas into one.

Before meeting with our collaborator Mark Busby who works in The Counselling and Family Centre, we wanted to have an aim on what we would ask him to get a better understanding of the purpose in redesigning the café is. Having this information going forward will help us move forward with concepts for a poster and later ideas for the design of the café itself.

We hope to plan a site visit within the next week, meeting with Mark again and getting a sense for the building and what could come from this. For later tasks in the project, we hope to join together again to create some amazing work as a team.

Hi, I’m Diona, currently in my first year of the MArch, having graduated from Manchester School of Architecture in 2025. I grew up as an Albanian in North Macedonia before moving to Manchester for my undergraduate studies, which shaped my interest in how architecture carries history, identity, and cultural memory across different places. During my third year, I completed work experience in a conservation practice, which strengthened my focus on adaptive reuse, historic building repair, and conservation-led design.
Outside of architecture, I enjoy travelling, photography, and sketching the places I visit (and eating lots and lots of good food), as these experiences influence how I observe buildings, streets, and everyday urban life. I’m really looking forward to working with the team and developing ideas together through the project.

17/2/26

SESSION 2: SITE VISIT

Today we had our second meeting as a group, where we visited the site in Altrincham and were hosted by our collaborator Mark. During the morning, we were introduced to what the Counselling and Family Centre stands for and the values they promote. We were given a tour of the building, had the opportunity to meet some of the staff, and gained insight into what makes the space meaningful to those who use it.

Following this, we gathered in the community area, which is the focus of our design project, and discussed the needs of the collaborator and what he hopes to achieve from this redesign. As a group, we began to brainstorm ideas around how the space could be improved, considering aspects such as facilities, potential funding, and how the space could better support its users. We agreed to begin producing renders and plans that could be useful for Mark moving forward, as well as exploring the possibility of running workshops to engage with the community and better understand the different groups using the space.

After the meeting, we carried out initial site measurements to support our next steps. This visit marked an important shift in our project, as it provided us with a clearer direction and a stronger understanding of how to move forward as a team.

3/3/26

SESSION 3: GROUP PROGRESS AND PLANNING

During this session, we were tasked with completing our risk assessment, budget proposal, and project proposal. As a group, we discussed how our project would develop over time, carefully planning a timeline that would allow us to make the most of the work ahead.

We identified two key groups from the list provided by our collaborator that we would engage with for the upcoming workshops, ensuring that our approach is both relevant and inclusive. Alongside this, we began outlining a budget plan based on the resources and materials we anticipate needing. We also had a discussion with our tutor to better understand the purpose of the risk assessment and how we could minimise potential risks during site visits and throughout the project.

In addition, we started working on our Ethos application, considering how our project aligns with broader values and responsibilities. As a group, we had an open conversation about what is important to us within this project, reflecting on how we are distributing roles, whether any adjustments are needed, and what we each hope to gain from the experience moving forward.