B.15 Modelmaking Awards 2025 Sponsored by Henning Larsen

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We’re pleased to announce this years B.15 Modelmaking Awards will be sponsored by Henning Larsen Architects.

“At Henning Larsen, model-making is a fundamental part of how we design. It allows us to translate ideas into physical form, test concepts, and refine spatial relationships. Our process begins with context—understanding a place, its character, and its challenges. From there, models help us explore ideas, experiment with materials, and ask new questions. Whether it’s 3D-printed components, compressed straw prototypes, or systems designed for disassembly, model-making is where innovation takes shape.

 We work with both physical and digital models throughout the design journey—from early sketches to full-scale prototypes. Each model sparks dialogue, invites feedback, and drives iteration. They’re never static, always evolving. Even after a project ends, our models often find new life in exhibitions, continuing to inform and inspire.”

The criteria for this, our eleventh annual scheme, will remain unchanged and we encourage any MSA students who have used modelmaking in their work to submit their work for inclusion.

Projects are judged for their strengths as creative tools and creativity just as much as in their finish and materials choices.

We can’t stress enough that all physical models are valuable and can be considered for the awards scheme. If you have made models in your project work, take a look at the submission criteria and please submit your work to have it published and gain extra exposure to your fellow students, practicing architects and prospective employers.

Have a look at the fantastic past submissions here to see the wide range of models featured from all courses and year groups.


Who can submit?

If you’re a student at MSA that has made physical models then you are eligible to submit. Any study programme, Any year group, Any projects.

What is the criteria?

We’ll explain this in more detail in a follow up post but put simply, If you’re an MSA student on any programme who has made any physical model(s) of any kind then you can and should submit. Keep a look out for the full criteria and submissions opening after the Easter break. In the meantime keep making – any models count as we’re looking at overall use of modelmaking not necessarily just one model!

When do you need to submit?

Submission instructions will be posted here and on moodle in the next few days so look out for an update of how to submit your work. From the point of announcement you will have until the end of Monday 2nd June at 12.00pm to submit your projects.

How are the awards judged? 

The submissions will be sent as a combined document to the sponsors who will select a shortlist to be viewed in person at the end of year show. The chosen projects will be marked against the submission criteria by representatives of B.15 and Henning Larsen.

When will we know the outcome?

The outcome of the judging process will be announced at the End of Year show awards presentation on the evening of Friday June 6th.


>>>>>>> SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW OPEN <<<<<<<

Please download the 2425_B15_Awards_Guidance+Templates

After preparing your submission as per the guidelines you can submit via this form link. 


In the meantime if you have any questions about the scheme please get in touch via scott.miller@manchester.ac.uk

On behalf of the B.15 team and our sponsors at Henning Larsen, good luck, get making and we look forward to seeing your modelmaking work in the next few weeks!

Announcing AiM: The Architects Index of Modelmaking Exhibition Launch, Venice, May-November 2025

 

We’re very pleased to announce both our long-term index project and, to mark the occasion, an exhibition on its themes that will take place from May 10th – November 23rd at the European Cultural Centre throughout the 19th Venice Architecture Biennale.


What is AiM?

A global platform for architects, students & modelmakers. Celebrating process, experimentation and the craft of making in professional architectural practice.

The AiM Manifesto

  • Process over perfection
  • Show how its made
  • Learn by making
  • Celebrate the importance of the unknowns discovered through physical creativity
  • Shine a light on the often-overlooked value of making in architectural practice
  • Collaborate, connect and grow

Why AiM?

In a digital world, physical models exist merely as an object on screen. An image, video or digital copy. This overlooks an irreplaceable connection between the maker and the object and, the intrigue that follows for others. The experience of making can tell deeper, practical and questioning stories, reveal ideas and spark innovation.

We’re building a space that honours that craft.

Our Ambition

To build an open evolving index of global architectural modelmaking practice & professional practices. A living archive for experimentation, learning and leadership. A platform for students, Architects and Practicing Studios to see how and where they can make in practice.

All are welcome!


Join the index!

We’re looking for Architectural practitioners and offices. Share your models, Showcase your process. Join the conversation.

E-mail aim@the-aim.co.uk to get in touch and be added to our mailing list for updates. In the near future we will launch the full index site with links to complete our survey and allow the index contents to grow as more companies get on board. Follow us on Instagram @aimodelmaking for other updates.

The Exhibition

The AiM exhibition taking place at the European Cultural Centre’s Palazzo Bembo during the Venice Architecture Biennale 2025 will present a sample of the index through practice contributors. The work of 15 practices and professionals will be shown alongside video content at the ECC’s Time Space Existence exhibition.

The exhibition is free to attend and opens 6 Days a week (Closed Tuesdays) and runs from May 10th-November 23rd 2025.


The Event

We’ll be hosting a panel event over the weekend of 28/29th June at Biennale sessions and the ECC. MSA students will be able to join and secure free 3-day passes to access all Biennale sites.

More on this and how students can sign up to be announced very soon.


We look forward to building this resource up over the coming years with your help.

Thanks for everyone who has supported our efforts thus far. We hope to hear from you and see you in Venice in late June.

Scott & Team

Easter Break and Late opening hours 2025

Hi All, Hope you’re well!

A quick update about upcoming opening times:

Easter Break

B.15 will remain open as normal for the first and third week of the break. Specific dates as follows:

Monday 14th April – Thursday 17th April Open as normal

Friday 18th April Closed for Bank Holiday

Monday 21st April – Friday 25th April Closed

Monday 28th April – Friday 2nd May Open as normal

Monday 5th May – Closed for Bank Holiday

Tuesday 6th May onwards, Open as normal

Late opening

There will be a period of later opening hours where we’ll be open for an additional 3 hours at the end of the day. These dates will be:

Tuesday 29th April, Wednesday 30th April & Thursday 1st May

Tuesday 6th, Wednesday 7th & Thursday 8th May

Tuesday 13th, Wednesday 14th & Thursday 15th May

You must sign up to attend these additional hours. The building will be locked from 18.00 each day so you must be in by then.

IMPORTANT – YOU MUST SIGN UP TO ATTEND! 

Please sign up via the link on the Moodle MSA Student Announcements page (This will be sent soon) if you wish to attend and remember to remove your name if you no longer wish to attend as soon as you make that decision so others can use the space.

See you soon! B.15 team

MAKING in PRACTICE – Cassidy Wingrove, FCBS Guest Lecture Video

Last but not least in out MAKING in PRACTICE guest lecture series is Cassidy Wingrove, Associate Modelmaker at Feilden Clegg Bradley Studio’s Bath office.

It was great to hear Cassidys story of how he became a professional Architectural Modelmaker and through a number of case studies, see how FCBS architects make use of models at multiple stages throughout any given project. The video Cassidy made reference to in his lecture can be viewed here.

Thank you to Cassidy, our previous speakers and too all who have attended and supported this series over the last few months.

Hope to see you all again soon

– B.15 Team

Catch up on all the previous lectures from this series here:

Ecaterina Stefanescu  /  Stanton Williams  /  Roger Stephenson OBE

MAKING in PRACTICE – Roger Stephenson OBE Guest Lecture Video

Our Making in Practice lecture series continued on Monday 10th February with Professor Roger Stephenson OBE, founding partner of Stephenson Hamilton Risley Studio.

Roger kindly brought along two car loads of models to present some of his best known projects and tell stories of their role in the design process. Huge thanks to Roger and to Anna Gidman for assisting with this model delivery. Some great questions and participation from the crowd – thanks for coming along!

Catch up on the previous lectures from Ecaterina Stefanescu here and Stanton Williams here.

MAKING in PRACTICE – StantonWilliams – Stephen Setford & Maz Weineck Guest Lecture Video

Continuing our Making in Practice lecture series on Monday 27th January we were joined by Stanton Williams Modelmakers Stephen Setford & Maz Weineck presented a wide range of past and present projects and insights into their process. We’re pleased to share the full presentation below which was recorded via zoom.

Thanks to Stephen and Maz for their time and excellent contribution and to Dr. Matthew Wells for his assistance in coordinating our speakers. The full presentation from Stephen and Maz can be watched here:

We hope to see you all again at the next one; Roger Stephenson OBE, Founding Partner of Stephenson Hamilton Risley Studios who will be joining up on Monday 10th February at 17.30 in the Hanson Room of HBS.

Catch up on the previous lecture from Ecaterina Stefanescu here. 

MAKING in PRACTICE – Ecaterina Stefanescu Guest Lecture Video

In the first of our Making in Practice lecture series we were joined Ecaterina Stefanescu who presented her varied community project work and use of models throughout. We’re pleased to share with you her full presentation (almost! We had an audio issue at the start!) which was recorded via zoom.

Thanks to Ecaterina for her time and contribution and to Dr. Matthew Wells for his assistance in coordinating our speakers. We hope to see you all again at the next one; Stephen Setford & Maz Weineck of StantonWilliams who join us on Monday January 27th 2025.

Enjoy!

B.15 Winter Break Closure Dates 24/25

Hi All,
B.15 will be closed for the winter break from Friday December 13th.
Following the break we will reopen to students Wednesday 8th and Thursday 9th January, Closed Friday 10th. 
Normal opening resumes from 09.30 Monday 13th January.
Have a good break and we’ll see you on the other side!
Scott, Lara, Paulina, Teagan and Ken @ B.15

MAKING in PRACTICE – Guest lecture series

Following on from the themes presented and discussed at MAKING SCALE last year we’re pleased to announce a series of guest lectures on the subject of Modelmaking in practice.

‘MAKING in PRACTICE’ will feature four guest speakers from four varied UK Architecture practices.

Each lecture will begin at 17.30 and take place in the Humanities Bridgeford Street Building where we are based. The lectures are free to attend and open to anyone interested in joining, students, practitioners or public.

Monday 18th November 2024, Room G33                                                                      Ecaterina Stefenescu – Founding Partner of Estudio ESSE and Lecturer at UCLAN Recording now available here

Monday 27th January 2025, Room G33                                                                      Stephen Setford & Maz Weineck – Associate/Modelmakers at Stanton Williams

Monday 10th February 2025, Hanson Room                                                                  Roger Stephenson OBE – Founding partner of Stephenson Hamilton Risley Studio

Monday 24th February 2025, Room G33                                                                          Cassidy Wingrove – Associate/Modelmaker at Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios

We hope to see you there!