AiM Biennale Sessions Event: You Ask, They Answer! – June 28th

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We’re pleased to announce this upcoming panel event in association with the AiM launch exhibition at this years Venice Biennale. Panel members who have contributed to the AiM project will respond to your questions on the subject of physical modelmaking in architecture.

At a time when we’re bombarded with news of artificial intelligence as the future in all walks of life, what does the production of physical models have to offer students and architectural professionals?

To get insight into your thoughts on this and anything relating to modelmaking in practice we are putting your questions to our panel in a recorded event that will take place on Saturday June 25th at 15.00-17.00 at the Venice Biennale Arsenale.

The event is open to all so if you happen to be in Venice do drop by and get in touch for more information. If you can’t make it the event will be recorded and we’ll answer as many of the submitted questions as possible.

WE NEED YOUR QUESTIONS!

We’re inviting questions from anyone, students, academics, professionals or anyone else with an interest. Ask the panel their views and we’ll discuss your topics live whilst being recorded for release here on our blog at a later date. 

>>>>>>>>>Click here to submit your questions for the panel now!<<<<<<<<<<<

Meet the panel: 

Simina Ionescu, Architect at OMI Architects, Manchester

Simina Ionescu is a qualified architect with over 11 years’ experience in the industry. After graduating from Manchester School of Architecture, she worked at several award-winning practices across Manchester before joining OMI Architects. Her experience ranges from heritage and conservation projects to new-build developments across the community, residential and commercial sectors. She is a strong advocate for model making as part of the design process and has helped implement the introduction of in-house rapid prototyping at the past three practices she has worked at.

OMI is one of the leading design-led architecture practices in the Northwest of England. The team of architects are all based in a RIBA Award-winning conversion of a Victorian baths, where they have created a number of studios for the creative industries. They are a multi-award-winning RIBA Chartered Practice and a certified B Corp. The practice is known for a broad range of work across all sectors, many of which are within sensitive historic settings.

Outside of OMI, Simina is a guest lecturer on the MA Adaptive Reuse course at the Manchester School of Architecture and plays an active role in the architectural community as the Treasurer of the Manchester Society of Architects.

Joe Morris, Founding Director of Morris+Company, London & Copenhagen

Joe is the Founding Director of Morris+Company and spearheads the practice across its two studios in London (63 people) and Copenhagen (7 people). In a career spanning over 25 years of professional practice, which has achieved widespread international recognition, Joe has increasingly advocated a sense of urgency for fair and transparent practice, inclusivity and equality, through open dialogue and critical debate. He is increasingly vocal on environmental and social and governance issues and is the driving force behind MoCo’s ongoing journey to BCORP accreditation.

Models at MoCo are more than mere representations; they are an immersive, tactile medium for reflection, innovation, and abstraction. As Joe describes, they are simultaneously “reflection, experiment, innovation, representation, abstraction, communication, question, answer, success, and failure.” This multifaceted role imbues them with immense physical and conceptual value, a body of thought that embodies the cultural essence of MoCo’s practice.

Joe has rich experience of different types of clients, across both the public and private sectors and is accustomed to working at a range of scales. He has lectured on the work of the practice in many leading UK universities, as well as in Barcelona, Bilbao, Buenos Aires, Copenhagen, Hamburg, Liege and Romania.

 

Ecaterina Stefanescu, Other Peoples Dreams, Preston

Ecaterina Stefanescu is a Romanian artist, designer, researcher, and academic. She holds a Master’s in Architecture from TU Delft and is currently based in Preston, UK, where she teaches architecture at the Grenfell-Baines Institute of Architecture, University of Central Lancashire. Her artistic and research practice centres on modelmaking, live-build, and drawing as tools for exploration, investigation, and co-design.

Through what she calls ethnographic modelmaking, Ecaterina uses models to reveal what is often ‘unseen’ in the fields of design and architecture: everyday life as experienced by everyday people. Her approach is participatory, situated, and co-produced. Whether created with machines such as laser cutter or crafted by hand on site with participants from recycled materials, the model becomes a tool for representation, analysis, cultural expression, and community engagement. Ecaterina is also co-founder of Estudio ESSE, a design practice with work across Europe.

Other People’s Dreams is a live-action research studio based at the University of Lancashire. OPD utilises active participation and co-production with marginal communities in the north-west to conceive and create architectural and spatial interventions. These projects allow local people to test new possibilities, activities and infrastructures within the places that they live, work and play, leading to greater agency, autonomy and empowerment.

Peter Lee, Associate at HENN, Berlin

 Peter Lee is an associate in the design studio at HENN, where he has worked for the past eight years across the Berlin, Beijing, and Munich offices. Starting his career as a model-making intern, he now leads teams on early phase work such as competitions and feasibility studies, with a focus on science and research projects, as well as experience in commercial, educational and cultural work.

HENN is a third-generation architecture studio with over 70 years of experience, with offices in Berlin, Munich, Beijing and Shanghai. HENN has completed more than 150 projects and counts 400 team members from more than 40 nations. As a general planner, HENN works on projects involving architecture, urbanism and master planning across all project stages.

A passionate advocate for model making, Peter is especially interested in the role of the physical model as a design tool, and how it can complement digital or computational methods of practice. His expertise ranges from creating rough sketch models to high-quality presentation pieces for competition submissions, clients, and press events.

Alongside his work at HENN, Peter is an external lecturer at Berlin International University of Applied Sciences, where he runs design modules as part of the undergraduate architecture programme.

>>>>>>>>>Click here to submit your questions for the panel now!<<<<<<<<<<<

B.15 Modelmaking Awards 2025 sponsored by Henning Larsen – Winners!

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Following judging of all shortlisted projects from Henning Larsen representative Patrick Handgrigan and Sofia Lundeholm 3 winners and 1 ‘wild-card’ winner was chosen. The judges were very impressed by the variety of work submitted and across the degree show making the process challenging as usual.

In response to the number of projects covered a last minute addition of the ‘wild -card’ was added going off judges response to seeing the work in person only. These was a clear winner for this as both judges were drawn to the work independently and without prompting.

Huge congratulations to everyone who took part and who joined us this year – your work is great and we look forward to seeing your future successes.

You can find the full long list of submissions here.

This years award winners were:

Austin Wright – BA3 Non Standard Habitats

Finley Hartless – MArch1 &Architecture

Saul Bunyan – MArch2 Continuity

Wild-card: Niamh Murphy – MLA2/SKN

Thank you to all of our students, Matt Ault for submissions collection and to Henning Larsen for their expertise and support with this years scheme.

B.15 Team

B.15 Modelmaking Awards 2025 Sponsored by Henning Larsen – Submissions and Shortlist

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Following 60 submissions for this years awards we can confirm 19(!) shortlisted projects.

View the full longlist document here.

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to submit – a great range of inspirational projects from all year groups – Congratulations to everyone for your hard work this year, great to see it all come together through this scheme and in person at the degree show.

The shortlisted projects in consideration for in-person judging tomorrow chosen by Henning Larsen are:

Catalina Cheptene – BA2

Luke Fiorini – MArch2 Infrastructure Space

Mustafa Cem Tole – MArch2 Infrastructure Space

Rory Mclaren – BA3 Infrastructure Space

Da Lan – BA3 Infrastructure Space

Pradeep Fernando – BA3 SKN

James Pound – BA3 SKN

Howie Farrall – BA3 SKN

Alya Binti Rafaie – MArch1 SKN

Esraa Rehan – MArch2 &rchitecture

Finley Hartless – MArch1 &rchitecture

Yung Yu Wu – MArch2 &rchitecture

Austin Wright – BA3 NSH

Hannah Forrester – BA3 NSH

Saul Bunyan – MArch2 CTY

Isobel Smith – BA3 CTY

Alina Iskrytska – MArch2 CTY

Lucy Haggis – MArch FLUX

Grace Baker BA3 FLUX

Judging will take place tomorrow afternoon ahead of the winners announcement at 19.00 in the foyer of Lowry Building – Come along to celebrate!

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 12.00 midnight 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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.