Hi, my name is Niamh and I’m an MArch 1 student at the Manchester School of Architecture, where I also completed my undergraduate degree. I completed my Part 1 placement at John McCall Architects in Liverpool and continue to work there alongside my master’s studies.

Through both practice and university projects, I’ve developed a strong interest in user-centred design and sustainability, with a focus on creating practical, well-considered spaces.

I’m looking forward to working on a live project and collaborating with the client and local community to deliver a thoughtful and effective proposal.

Session 2: Brainstorms, Bold Ideas & Mild Chaos

Today was where the creativity began. Armed with our own ideas, we dove into brainstorming concepts for the group’s poster and name. Some of us flying solo like lone geniuses, others teaming up to bounce ideas around like a high-stakes game of creative ping-pong.

The room quickly filled with everything from “this could actually work” to “wait… what is that? Somehow, through the chaos, patterns started to emerge. Debates were had, sketches were scribbled, and a few questionable names were (thankfully) left behind.

By the end, we managed to land on a concept that everyone could get behind. It’s still a work in progress, but it’s got potential, personality, and just the right amount of chaos baked in.

Next stop: refining, developing, and turning this spark into something submission-ready. Stay tuned.

Session 8: Measure Twice (…or Improvise Once)

Today’s session started, as many of ours do, with a moment of reflection. Upon meeting this morning, we reevaluated the budget report we had previously submitted, particularly our travel costs. We had confidently estimated around £45 for a return bus trip for the whole group. In reality, the numbers had other ideas. On the day, Uber turned out to be both cheaper and faster, which felt like a small but satisfying win (sigh of relief from this car sick team member! )

Once on site, our collaborator gave us a tour, which helped ground a lot of our ideas. We discussed the direction of both an external temporary structure (to sidestep planning requirements) and an internal permanent intervention that respects the Grade II* listing. It was a really useful conversation that clarified where we’re heading. We also took photos of key areas, elevations, and services to build up a solid reference base.

Then came the survey.

We carried out both internal and external surveys of the relevant spaces, armed with tape measures and optimism. Measuring larger areas—especially the nave—proved to be more challenging than expected. Safe to say, longer tape measures would have helped. A lot.

Still, we got what we needed, and left with both measurements and a bit of perspective.

Productive, slightly chaotic, and a reminder to come better equipped next time