The Manchester School of Architecture (MSA) is at the forefront of placing teaching on the climate and biodiversity crises throughout our student programmes. We continue to innovate and add to our holistic and pluralistic approach which places climate justice central to our teaching.
For 2023/24, we focused on the theme of natural materials. Along with Anna Gidman, I was delighted to curate the Natural Materials Now! exhibition in February that presented the promise of low carbon materials such as timber, stone, and hemp. Students could smell and touch samples of the materials and learn about key precedents. Many thanks should be given to ACAN’s Natural Materials group, coordinated by our own Anna Gidman, for assistance with materials and advice.
MSA Alumni, Rachel Price, came back to the school to share her knowledge about mycelium through a workshop with 30 students who learned how to make mycelium bricks. Dr Iliona Outram Khalili also organised a hands-on workshop for BA1 students who learned techniques for making domes and vaults using earth.
We want to celebrate the achievements of our Climate Action Group, part of the Manchester Society of Student Architects. Led by Shreya Goyal and Cameron Ward, they have been involved in peer-to-peer learning through co-works, organised an atelier show-down debate on climate change (with the MSSA Debates Union), and a StuCAN design competition.
As ever, we had a broad range of speakers who imparted their knowledge of architecture in this age of crises, including Mina Hasman, Amin Taha, and Barnabas Calder. We look forward to further elevating the climate and biodiversity crisis in our school in the next academic year.
Dr Angela Connelly
MSA Climate Change Lead