The 1st Year of BA (Hons) Architecture at MSA starts with a series of small projects where students will develop knowledge about the relationship between space and the human body through design explorations for a small activity space. Throughout the year the studio project gains complexity and increase in scale. In semester 2, students start the studio project with a collaborative masterplanning exercise for a housing scheme, which leads to an individual design development of a housing unit up to a resolution level.

These studio-based projects are supported by a skills programme where the essentials of conceptual drawing, modelling and software-based representation are taught. In parallel to that, in semester 1, students learn about History and Theories of Architecture through a series of lectures and seminars, which support the development of reports and essays based on desktop studies and building visits. In semester 2, students engage in learning about Architectural Technologies through lectures, case studies and a design project focused on the development of prototype models that demonstrate awareness of modular design and detailing of buildings.

BA1 Studio

ACTIVITY SPACE

Project Habitat Artefact A
ACTIVITY SPACE

This project challenged the students to use architectural design to expand the possibilities of public space. The chosen site was All Saints Park at MMU Campus. The park has recently undergone an ‘upgrade’, and it has changed how people occupy the space. This project included improvements to the park itself, and the development of an events space capable of hosting different activities at the centre of the park. The students’ task was to design a habitat artefact – a single space enclosure or pavilion – each responded to the spatial qualities of the park whilst providing shelter for an activity of their choosing. The activity of your choice should involve an aspect of performance and to be focused on an educational action, for example: teaching, showing, sharing, growing, etc. The location, purpose and design of the pavilion should be seen as a tool (i.e.: artefact), providing a tangible platform which brings together different players within our University Community (e.g.: Students + Uni Staff + Local Business).

MANCHESTER FIELD STUDY

Project Habitat Artefact B
MANCHESTER FIELD STUDY

This project asked students to develop research by exploring and documenting key buildings of architectural significance within Manchester City Centre. In doing so, they developed research skills, learn to critically evaluate their findings and, perhaps more importantly, familiarise themselves with the city. Students developed observation and interpretation skills to critically analyse these buildings and their context through sketching, diagramming, photography.

TEMPORARY LIVING SPACE

Project Habitat Artefact C
TEMPORARY LIVING SPACE

This project asked the students to challenge preconceptions around living spaces. It prompted students to explore the notion of temporality in architecture by designing a temporary microhome in the city. The aim was to develop an architectural response to contemporary challenges such as temporary homelessness and the provision of emergency shelter in an urban context. The project starts with developing a client profile within this context, defining the habits and needs of two (02) people that will be living together, sharing the space for a year. On this project student have explored the notion of minimal space, functionality, and levels of enclosure.

COMMUNITY LIVING SPACE

Project Habitat Artefact D
COMMUNITY LIVING SPACE

Part 1 | Conception

This project aimed at expanding the students’ experience in design living spaces (i.e.: the habitat artefact). It started with a co-design exercise to reflect on the systemic challenges and responsibilities of transforming our cities. On this process, the students face the challenge of designing collectively as ‘Project Team’, aiming to collaborate with a number of different players in the same Masterplanning task. This Masterplan then becomes the basis for each student to conceive their own individual Building Design for a single-family dwelling, which should be proposed as an integral part of the Community developed by the collective.

Part 2 | Resolution

At this stage students worked individually to advance their Building Design proposal for the single-family dwelling from a conceptual to a resolution level.

On this process, they explored and developed their design, considering key strategic design decisions towards environmental performance and climate emergency, as well as its tectonics, looking at materiality, constructability and structural performance.