SESSION 01: MEET THE COLLABORATOR

The team gathered for their first meeting, which began with brief introductions and an insight into the stages each of us was at in our architectural journeys. It was interesting to see just how varied our specialities are, and it provided an opportunity to understand the diverse array of skills each of us could bring to the project. We then delved into the brief, gaining a broad understanding of the requirements, the site and our collaborator: The Common Land Collective (CLC). With many questions still in the air as to how we could best approach the project, we broke into pairs to gather more information on a specific aspect of the project to later discuss, share and build a common understanding of the project's potential. In the hour before our meeting with our collaborator, we discussed potential team names, poster design, and questions we had for the CLC.

During our meeting with the CLC, we were given a presentation by two members of the organisation which covered the details of the site, the projected timeline, and their ambitions. We were all thoroughly engaged and met them with equal enthusiasm, asking many questions that gave us a clearer vision for the project. Finally, we attended to the last matter of business: the team name. After thorough consideration and a tough voting campaign, we landed on the name The Eco Dens Collective.

Overall, the first meeting was a rousing success and gave us the running start we needed. We look forward to the project's future and hope the sessions moving forward continue this momentum to achieve our collective ambitions.

Umar Mahmood

MArch 1 // &rchitecture
[Atelier]

Hello, my name is Umar! I'm from Birmingham, and I completed my undergraduate degree at Coventry University. I then completed my year-out as part of the Urban Design team at an architectural practice in Coventry. Throughout my studies and professional practice, I have developed an interest in designing architectural solutions to address complex social issues, such as workplace mental health, apathy, and loneliness in later living, implementing innovative design strategies with sustainably sourced construction materials. AND's focus on solving real-world issues through community engagement workshops and exploration of form through modelling and mapping exercises provided an opportunity to explore my interests through developing an adapative reuse of an old Tudor town hall.

I am looking forward to getting involved on the ground at Macclesfield to work on the Dens of Discovery project with the Common Land Collective. I am particularly excited to investigate which recycled materials we can use to build dens and habitats for the wildlife of Macclesfield, while teaching residents about sustainable construction and wildlife preservation.