Category Archives: Main News Feed

Main news updates

SimpsonHaugh B.15 Modelmaking Awards 2019

Posted on by

“Modelmaking is an integral component in the practice of architectural design, providing the first opportunity to bring two dimensional drawings and sketches into the three dimensional world as physical objects.”

For the second year running we are pleased to announce this years student modelmaking awards will be sponsored by SimpsonHaugh. Last years scheme brought out some tough competition across all years and we hope to see more great original modelmaking ideas being pushed in this years submissions.

Awards are open to BA 3rd year and both 5th and 6th year of MArch and will be awarded as 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes for BA & MArch MSA students.


At last year’s SimpsonHaugh B.15 Model Making Awards, we were very impressed with the high standard of models produced by MSA students. We are thrilled to be supporting the awards again this year, and look forward to meeting new students and observing their design development through model making.

Model making is an integral component in the practice of architectural design, providing the first opportunity to bring two dimensional drawings and sketches into the three dimensional world as physical objects. Physical models are tools used to fully test, explore and understand building designs. They convey the true effects of scale, light and materiality where computer technology may restrict us.

This year, we would like to see students demonstrate an understanding of appropriate scale, tools and materials in the construction of their models, as well as consider material costs, time frame and build approach.  

Although final presentation models are a great way to bring together a completed design and polish our making skills, we also want to see evidence of sketch/study models which test and explore design elements. These quick studies bring greater depth and substance to a project, which sequentially lead to more refined presentation models.

At SimpsonHaugh we use physical models to develop and refine building proposals. Models are used as tools within the design teams, in client meetings and for public consultation as a means of translating drawings and ideas into a tangible reality, which can be more clearly understand through physical interaction.

We are excited to see what creative and amazing models MSA students produce this year!

 

-Kaia Williams and Phillipa Seagrave, SimpsonHaugh Modelmakers

Awards Launch open office event

Following a successful open office event last year SimpsonHaugh have again agreed to open their doors for an official launch of our award scheme on Wednesday March 20th at 17.00. There will be a short presentation about this years awards scheme followed by refreshments and a chance to, see the office/workshop, ask questions and network with SH staff.

>>>>>    Click here to register and secure your ticket for the launch.    <<<<<

Entry to this event is strictly limited and exclusive to MSA students.

Registered ticket holders only. Sign up early to ensure your place

SimpsonHaugh Modelmakers at B.15

During the final term there will be a number of dates where Kaia Williams and Phillipa Seagrave, in-house Modelmakers at SH will be present at the workshop to offer advice and observe work in progress. This is a great opportunity to speak to experienced modelmakers who can offer tips from their experience of working creatively under pressure. These dates will be confirmed soon and posted to Moodle and on social media.

Find out more about SimpsonHaugh here: www.simpsonhaugh.com/

Submitting your projects

Further information about the submission process will be announced in the coming weeks via our blog/moodle. Check back here and keep an eye on moodle for updates.

This award scheme is exclusively for MSA BA 3rd year and MArch 5th and 6th year students.

 

‘Celebrating Burnage Garden Village: Building Manchesters Pioneering Housing’ Exhibition

Posted on by

Senior Workshop Technician Jim Backhouse recently completed two vintage style models for the upcoming exhibition ‘Celebrating Burnage Garden Village: Building Manchesters Pioneering Housing’ which will open with a launch event this coming Saturday at Manchester’s Central Library.

The two models show the overall estate plan at 1:500 along with a 1:100 model of a semi-detached house. Jim’s modelling style took inspiration from the original plans and drawings from the early 20th century hand finishing components using water colour.

Exhibition Launch description:

Burnage Garden Village, built 1908-1910, is an little gem, with architectural influences from Raymond Unwin and other Arts and Crafts enthusiasts. It is still managed by a local committee of Manchester Tenants Ltd established in 1906. Come to the launch of a small exhibition detailing the design and building of this pioneering Garden Village here in Manchester, hear about how it attracted socialists, suffrage campaigners and conscientious objectors as well as some extraordinary artists, sculptors and explorers.

Opening at Manchester Central Library this Saturday, March 2nd and running for the duration of March.

Tickets for the opening event are free and available here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/celebrating-burnage-garden-village-building-manchesters-pioneering-housing-tickets-55917194835

‘The Value of The Studio Workshop’ via the V&A’s Architectural Models Network

Posted on by

The V&A museum has a research group focused on the history, present and future use of Architectural models in practice and education.

The ongoing project has looked at a variety of model case studies and perspectives which are published on their blog. Most recently we have contributed a technicians perspective from our experience here at B.15.

You can read our article and find the other ongoing publications at the AMN blog here: https://www.vam.ac.uk/blog/projects/the-value-of-the-studio-workshop

Scott

Upcoming workshop closure dates

Posted on by

The workshop will be closed to general student and staff access at the following times due to the formal interviewing process for a new member of staff. Apologies for any inconvenience caused.

Wednesday 23rd January 09.30 – 14.00 – Open as normal from 14.00

TBC – Thursday 7th February – Closed all day

Jim and Scott

Atelier La Juntana Summer School with MSA 9th-15th July 2019

Posted on by

Following the success of the last two years of MSA collaborating with Atelier La Juntana we are pleased to announce the third edition of the MSA exclusive week taking place 9th – 15th July 2019. The course takes place in the north of Spain outside the city of Santander in the coastal town of Liencres.

Students of 1st, 2nd and 5th year Architecture are encouraged to take part in the week long course which provides a foundation in a wide range of making skills for your design and presentation work back here at MSA.

Watch footage for the last two MSA atelier groups here:

*********    DON’T MISS OUT – APPLY FOR 2019 NOW!    **********

MSA Students will pay the discounted rate of £425 for the full week long course and also have the option 8 nights of discounted accommodation. This fee may be further reduced  subject to extra sponsorship.

Fees Update: Funding from the student experience fund here at UoM has allowed a further discount to MSA applications which will be subsidised by at least £50. The exact amount will depend on the final number of attendees and will be applied after applications close. 

Apply here for more information about the 2019 MSA exclusive week:

atelierlajuntana@gmail.com

More information about the course can be found on the ALJ website here: http://www.atelierlajuntana.com/SummerWorkshop.html

Photo highlights from Atelier La Juntana with MSA 2018 are displayed below. Highlights from 2017 can be found by clicking here.

Before You’re Thirty: Modelmaking

Posted on by

Each month the Manchester Student Society of Architecture (MSSA) host a night of guest lectures on a variety of themes relating the the field of Architecture and beyond. This years November theme was modelmaking and brought together three speakers to present their varied perspectives and experiences on the subject.

Despite the varied backgrounds of the speakers there were some strong common threads in the presentations that reinforced the strong pro-making feeling throughout. At all levels modelmaking was presented as an essential tactile tool for testing, presenting and soul searching/enriching when trying to better understand built forms, both large and small.

Thank you to MSSA for their work putting the event together and to the speakers who gave their time generously. Find out more about the MSSA here. Keep up to date with the Before You’re 30 lecture series on their facebook page here.

Chaired by Scott Miller, the speakers were:

Armor Gutierrez Rivas – Founder and Leader of Atelier La Juntana Modelmaking Summer School, Architect at KPF Architects London & Tutor at the University of East London Find out more about Armor and Atelier La Juntana Here – More on next years collaboration with MSA will be announced soon.

Claudio Molina Camacho – Architect, Associate Lecturer for Masters Architecture + Urbanism & 2nd year BA Tutor at MSA. Find out more about Claudio here.

Sam Stone – MSA Graduate and Part 3 Architectural Assistant at T.P. Bennett Manchester. See some of Sams final year work here

Modelling with Planning – 1:20 Detail Case Study

Posted on by

During the last academic year 5th year MSAp Group undertook a 1:20 detail study project to explore the relationship across a threshold junction between old and new. The Project was a great success and provides a great example of a well organised and applied use of modelmaking. A big thanks to the group who kindly responded to some questions we put to them as follows.

This model was a 1:20 sectional detail showing a threshold junction of a semi-detached house, displaying how a new annex (porch) module meets the old, non-traditional construction of a 1920s house.

Our aim was to use materials that would be close representations of the materiality applied in the construction of old to new. When planning materials, process and overall time management of the model, we created a ‘strategic planning matrix’ (below), identifying the proposed material, dimension, sourcing of material and costs (filled as we went along). The planning and sourcing of materials helped organise our time efficiently. We divided model-making processes into two parts, making components and assembly. The overall experience expanded our model-making skills, introducing many of us to new forms/ways of making.

To enable efficient team working under the time constraints of the workshop opening hours, we clarified roles and tasks daily. This helped us manage the workload and distribute tasks of the our project accordingly, therefore not all group members were always working on the model in the workshop, but on other areas of the project. A continuous level of effective communication enabled all our team members to work productively. This gave us the opportunity to explore a trial and error approach whilst making certain components, in particular when moulding and casting. It took a few attempts to get components to the ambitious standard we were aiming for.

 

As a group, we began planning the model with plenty of time ahead of deadline to ensure room for error, which proved useful during the assembly period. Collectively, we have broadened our model-making abilities/skills, and we were able to add a fine level of detail to the model, adhering to the high standard we set for ourselves, and a level of sophistication.

Overall, we gave ourselves enough time to plan, consider and make – planning and organisation became a very enjoyable task in itself and we were able to take on skills in professional practice which we hope will be applicable to working in a team in the future.

-Meera Lad, Abi Patel, Sean Martin, Danny McBride, Joe Stancer, Jack Williamson. 2018

 

Three Projects and Their Models – Claudio Molina Camacho

Posted on by

“I’ve always used models as part of the narrative of a project. It’s like having the site in the studio or practice so you can consult the model any time you need”

MSA established its year long MA in Architecture and Urbanism in 2006 and his since grown from strength to strength in numbers and, of course, staff. This October, Chilean architect Claudio Molina Camacho will be welcoming new students to the course for his first full year as associate lecturer for MA A+U and BA second year.

Having completed a number of full scale projects in Chile and taught at MSA part-time, we sat down with Claudio to ask what it means to him to make models in design and if they are still relevant now he’s back in education as an associate lecturer.

UK Premiere of WHAT WE DO HERE with Hawkins\Brown

Posted on by

We’re pleased to announce our first event of the new year will be the UK Premiere of WHAT WE DO HERE at Odeon Great Northern presented with supporting lecture from Hawkins\Brown Architects.

What place is there for physical hand-crafted models in the increasingly digital realm of modern architecture? How does challenging students to look beyond the screen and ‘get their hands dirty’ inform their understanding of and relationship with the structures they are conceiving?

WHAT WE DO HERE explores how aspiring architects at Manchester School of Architecture approach various stages of modelmaking as they grapple with materials, methods and machines to ultimately reveal the ways in which the models inform their individual growth and understanding. In addition to this it examines modelmaking pedagogy that staff integrate into their student assignments and practice through their own research projects.

Offering an additional chapter to this story, Hawkins\Brown Architects will present a post graduation insight into how practicing architects continue to use their making skills to conceive, develop and present their ideas in the the contemporary building design world.

The UK Premiere of WHAT WE DO HERE with supporting Lecture;

“Making in Practice” from Hawkins\Brown Architects

Wednesday October 17th 2018

18.00 – 19.00

Odeon Cinema, Great Northern

235 Deansgate

Manchester

M3 4EN

*******************REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT HAS NOW CLOSED*************** ************************THANKS FOR THOSE WHO ATTENDED***********************

Hope you can make it!

Jim and Scott

The Great Northern Warehouse on Deansgate, Manchester. Location for the Odeon Cinema.