We started the session finishing off the last few details of our group poster for the blog. Our day comprised of planning out the group’s spending budget, our risk assessment timeline and ethics. When taking on these tasks we mutually chose to divide and conquer — we broke up into groups of 2-3. We were adamant on offering and providing help where necessary to work efficiently and effectively. By the end we had completed all the tasks besides the timeline, as most of the group members were unfamiliar with the process of creating one.

Hey, I am Nandi Mahlangu currently doing my first year in Architecture, at Manchester School of Architecture.

As an international student from South Africa I’ve been exposed to a rich diversity of cultures, traditions and various equality issues that have driven my fondness for architecture.

I find interest in how people inhabit space. I am intrigued by the ways individuals adapt and reinterpret even the intended use of a place. To me, architecture is dynamic it evolves with the people who occupy it. One of my main motivations for studying architecture is the desire to contribute meaningfully to communities that are often marginalised or overlooked.

This project felt well suited to my interests of engaging with the needs of voices that are not always heard. I am eager to explore how it will deepen my understanding of design as both a creative and socially responsive practice, especially as I continue learning in a new country and gaining wider perspectives through travel.