Category Archives: Main News Feed

Main news updates

Easter Break and Late Opening

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Hi All,

A quick update regarding opening dates over the coming Easter Break.

Week of the 11th – 14th (Friday 15th Bank Holiday)- Open

Week of the 18th – 22nd – Closed

Week of the 25th onwards Open as normal

Late opening

Beginning next week B.15 will be open for an additional 3 hours between 16.30-19.30 on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday to assist with projects ahead of final submissions and in the lead up to the end of year show.

To make use of these additional times students will need to book to attend. Please get in touch via email (scott.miller@manchester.ac.uk) or drop in to the workshop to discuss your project needs and we’ll book time as required. In the first instance we’ll be doing this on the following dates:

12th, 13th & 14th April

26th, 27th & 28th April

If these prove popular we may arrange additional dates in the following week.

If you have any questions please get in touch,

Scott, Paulina & Angus @ B.15

Updates for 2022

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Welcome back to a new year at MSA. We hope you’ve had a good break and are ready to get back to the tools. There are a few changes to make you aware of for this year as follows.

New Staff 

There are now two new members of staff following Saul Parker-Backhouse leaving last month. Please join me in welcoming Paulina Voang and Angus Riddell to the B.15 team. 

Both will be on hand to support your modelmaking needs. They have taken the time to explain their background below:

Angus Riddell

“I am a recent graduate of the Manchester School of Architecture, where I completed my MArch last year, and had previously studied at the Glasgow School of Art. I have experience working as an Architectural Assistant, as well as time spent working in a number of cabinetry and carpentry workshops. I have also undertaken carpentry work on a self-employed basis.

Throughout my studies and work experience I have developed a strong interest in model making, particularly casting and woodworking processes. Additionally I am also interested in furniture design, woodcut printmaking and material economies.

Having relatively recently been a student working in the B.15 Workshop, I am looking forward to bringing my experience and knowledge into this new role to work with current students to foster creative and experimental architectural models and objects.”

Paulina Voang

“I have previously worked as an architectural modelmaker at Richard Threadgill Associates, London. This further developed my passion and understanding of architectural model making After relocating to Manchester I broadened my skillset working within the theatre industry as a Prop and Set Maker for local and West End productions for several years.

Outside of my different work experience I have a strong interest in creating wire sculptures. I have completed many personal projects and commissions over the years. These sculptures range from architectural to more playful subjects.

I am keen to help students discover the varied and imaginative ways model making supports their projects at B.15 Workshop.”

Workshop access & Covid precautions 

With the ongoing strange situation surrounding the pandemic things are still not quite how they were but we are still open for students to access everything we have on offer. 

All in person sessions should take place with mandatory mask wearing as per the rest of University of Manchester guidelines at present. We can provide masks if you do not have your own. Sanitising stations are at the workshop entrance and within the room. These measures are tiresome we know but necessary to reduce the chance of any spread between your peers and ourselves. Please respect these rules and do your bit until this time passes.

Online –Tutorials 

If you want to discuss your project online before coming in to work please fill our the tutorial request form and we’ll get back to you to chat as soon as possible. We strongly advise this route to ensure there is space allocated for you to attend and start your project.

Drop-in

Anyone wanting to discuss their projects is free to drop in to the workshop during our opening hours (9.30-13.00 14.00-16.30 Monday to Friday). It may be that there is no space to actually begin work at that time so email ahead or book an online tutorial to be certain we can accommodate you.

B.15 Tote Bags

Due to pressure for the fashion industry we have agreed to once again offer a stunning tote bag to the world. 100% Recycled cotton with screen printed B.15 and MSA logos, these bags are not available on the high street (a deal with Marks and Spencer fell through due to creative differences).

Available at B.15 and FREE to MSA Students!

See you soon,

Scott, Paulina & Angus

 

 

Remembering Peter Howcroft and John Bishop

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I was first introduced to John and Peter as part of our 45th anniversary project back in 2014/15. John had been contacted as he had fond memories of the early days of B.15 being set up and the important hub of social and design activity that it has become known for within the school. John was able to track down Peter who had been a regular visitor and part time assistant to the workshops first manager, Ken Peacock.

Peter was a true craftsman with a passion for making at all scales. He was the son of Thomas Howcroft who had also worked as a lecturer at the University of Manchester. By the time I met Peter he had suffered from ill health for some years but was absolutely full of life when it came to making things and working with his hands. He reflected about his upbringing, influences and passion for making in this video interview by Tony Sutton.

John was extremely supportive of the then new joint agreement and helped establish the early workings of MSA in the mid to late 90’s. Principal Lecturer Eamonn Canniffe recalled “John taught many students at Manchester in the 70s 80s and 90s and was ahead of his time in his interest in making, the relationship between art & architecture and the widening of access to education in architecture and the built environment”.

We interviewed them both for our 45th anniversary celebrations which was highly amusing and insightful. Since that time both John and Peter have stayed in touch with the workshop but in the chaos of the pandemic we had not heard from them for some time.

Sadly we learned that Peter had passed away in January this year and just last month that John had also passed. The were huge advocates of the importance of modelmaking in architectural education and we’d like to acknowledge their lives with this extended version of our joint interview that took place back in 2014.

Rest in Peace

Scott, Saul & Jim

 

Welcome to 2021/22

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Hello and welcome to new and returning students!

This year we hope to return to some level of normality for your workshop access with some changes following the easing of lockdown rules. Many students last year commented that they benefitted from having discussions before they attended the workshop so we’ve decided to retain their aspect of the general access procedure. In short, if you want advice or access please get in touch here.

Work spaces will be limited to pre booked spaces via the aforementioned link. You can still ask for advice in person but booking for workspace is advised.

Covid precautions

Whilst there is some signs of general improvement to the pandemic situation we strongly recommend wearing face masks whilst working in the workshop. This is a curtesy to others as much as additional protection for yourself. Please remember to sanitise/hand wash before beginning to work and throughout your session.

Social distancing for general working is also advised and markers are positioned at designated workspaces as a reminder.

New printer

Earlier in the summer we took delivery of a new FDM 3D printer, the Stratasys F370. This new FDM offers a larger build area and wider range of materials to choose from and is cheaper to run than our previous FDM. Get in touch to find out more if you think this may have a use in your project.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intro video

New starters should have received a link to this video giving an overview of Modelmaking and technical resources available to MSA students across MMU/UoM. If you missed it here it is:

Getting started with us

As stated in the video please get in touch via the tutorial request link to discuss your projects and book time in the workshop.

You can come to the workshop for in person advice but we can’t guarantee we’ll be free to chat so recommend using the tutorial link to speak when you want to get started.

Familiarise yourself with the Workshop Health and Safety guidelines in this handbook.

Starter tools and materials – 4D Modelshop

We recommend equipping yourselves with basic tools and materials to enable sketch modelling from home and in your future model making projects whilst studying architecture. We have an arrangement with 4D Modelshop who supply a wide range of tools and materials to the professional model makers in the UK and beyond. Register for your MSA student discount and find the recommended items on their dedicated MSA Page here: 

Hopefully this year will be kinder to us all. We look forward to seeing you soon to start making!

Scott & Saul @ B.15

MSA Students Workshop Feedback Survey

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Hi All,

Hope you’re keeping well wherever you are!

As we look forward to the next academic year we’ve been asked to gather some feedback about how workshop services have continued since the pandemic changed everything for us.

We would be grateful if you would take a few minutes to fill out this short survey here or below to allow us to assess what has worked that you have enjoyed and any suggestions for what we might change going forward.

I appreciate this isn’t the most enjoyable task but it helps us plan for the coming year and beyond – your opinions are essential!

Thanks in advance!

Scott & Saul @ B.15

 

B.15 Modelmaking Awards 2021 – Winners!

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Hi all,

It goes without saying this has been a challenging year for everyone which makes it all the more rewarding to be able to celebrate the fantastic range of modelmaking work MSA students have been able to produce. Over 50 students submitted work to be judged by experts modelmaker/architects from our collaborators.

Judging was as always a fun process and it was difficult to come to final conclusions with all parties praising the varied work.

“It was refreshing to see a completely different approach to materiality because of the situation. Compared to previous years the lack of 3D printing and less laser cutting was refreshing to see that the use of these means that were there were really well thought out along with a lot of recycled materials being used. A great focus on what can I find to use as opposed to overuse of expensive materials and processes – Super Positive considering the tough situation we’ve all been in.”

– Phillipa Seagrave, Modelmaker at Bjarke Ingels Group

It was decided that there would be 4 equal prizes, one per judging party.

Through a collective agreement the 4 winners are as follows:

Saul Bunyan BA3

Matthew Meeson MArch1

Dan Warren & Mona Tamaru MArch2

Patrick Davies MArch2

Judges from our collaborators were as follows:

SimpsonHaugh: Kaia Williams and Kristin Mishra

HENN: Peter Lee, Oliver Koch & Lando Schumpich

Bjarke Ingels Group: Phillipa Seagrave, Paula Gonzalez & Artemis Antonopoulou

 

Thank you all for making this a continued success and congratulations to our winners!

 

Take care, Scott & Saul @ B.15

B.15 Modelmaking Awards Submissions Document

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Hi All,

The full submissions document for this years B.15 Modelmaking Awards can now be found here.

Judging has now taken place will representatives from Bjarke Ingels Group, SimpsonHaugh and HENN and the winners will be announced at the all school awards online presentation event on June 18th.

This was once again a very difficult process and all parties were very impressed with the quality of the projects given the difficult year everybody has had. All students should be very proud of their efforts and we look forward to working with you all again in future!

Scott, Saul and our collaborators

B.15 MODELMAKING AWARDS 2021

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We’re very pleased to announce our annual awards will go ahead and that we’ll be joined again by the fantastic international panel consisting of representatives from: SimpsonHaugh (Manchester), HENN (Berlin) and Bjarke Ingels Group (Copenhagen).

These awards are open to all students across all years of BA & MArch and we encourage anybody with modelmaking from studio/design work this academic year to submit.

Your work will be viewed by representatives from the collaborating practices and the resulting winners presented on June 18th at an all school event (link TBC).

What are we looking for? 

Any individual or group projects where modelmaking has been used to explore, develop or present your studio work, whatever it is and whatever it is made from, if it’s a model that helped you tell the story of your project it’s worthy of submission!

What to you need to do and when?

Submissions must follow the format as provided in the InDesign template that you can download below. You must stick to the formatting of this page to maintain consistency in the submissions document. That includes the font which is also included in the download link.

Have a look at last years submissions here as an example of how to lay out your work.

Key Criteria for your submission:

• Maximum 350 Words in the main body of text explaining:
a) Your project in brief, What was the purpose of your model(s)?
b) Your use of modelmaking at home/the workshop: scale, material and processes that you have used and why.

• Place 3 to 6 images of your modelmaking work (over the 2 pages) in its completed state these can include process images. Use captions to explain image content as shown in the example document.

• Models may have been completed from home, on campus, or a mix of both. Please clearly explain this whatever the case.

• Text should be in Effra Font (file included if you don’t have it on your computer) Size 10

• 2 x A4 pages only

• Saved as a 2 Page PDF

If your submission does not conform to these guidelines it will not be included in the final document for judging.

Please submit your work by downloading this pack

These must be submitted to scott.miller@manchester.ac.uk by 10.00am UK Time on Tuesday June 1st.

Good luck to everyone and well done getting through this year!

Scott and Saul @ B15

Guest Lecture: Dr Dawn Pereira – Concrete Too is Beautiful….

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To give it it’s full title, ‘Concrete Too is Beautiful; How William Mitchell’s Casting Process Humanised Post-war Urban Landscapes’ will be presented by Dr Dawn Pereira next Monday, April 12th at 17.00.

The lecture will look at the fascinating abstract work of designer/sculptor William Mitchell (1925 – 2020) who is known, although certainly not well enough, for his use of concrete casting around infrastructure, in architecture and as public artworks in the UK and beyond.

Dr Dawn Pereira is an expert on Mitchells works and will tell the story of his origins, evolution and crafting process. The lecture will be followed by an open Q & A.

This lecture is part of the ‘B.15 Moulding and Casting 101’ course but is free and open to all.

Please join us here on Zoom at 17.00 on Monday April 12th.

Note that the lecture will be recorded.

Image of Leigh Turnpike Centre provided by Richard Brook.