About the B.15 Modelmaking Workshop

The B.15 Workshop (Part of the School of Environment Education and Development or SEED at UoM) caters for students from the Manchester School of Architecture (MSA) – a shared school across the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University.

We offer facilities and advice for the production of scale development and presentation models for use in student projects. The workshop offers state of the art digital fabrication technology alongside core traditional manufacturing techniques.

Our aim is to continually develop our workshop to remain in line with industry standards whilst equipping our students with a good understanding of contemporary and traditional approaches to modelmaking.

As well as our main function toward MSA we offer consultancy work and are regularly involved in Architecture related projects across campus and externally.

Short History of B.15

The workshop in its current location has been providing modelmaking advice and facilities to Architecture, Planning and Landscape students since its completion in 1970. Whilst technology has evolved since then, the workshop has always played a key role in the study of Architecture at Manchester. Originally part of the University of Manchester, the school merged with Manchester Metropolitan University Architecture Course in 1996 to form MSA. Find out more in this documentary short produced for the workshops 45th Anniversary.

The School of Environment, Education and Development (SEED) workshop is located in the basement room B.15 of the Humanities building off Bridgeford Street on the University of Manchester Oxford Road campus.

Contact

Address:

B.15 Modelmaking Workshop
Humanities Bridgeford Street
University of Manchester
Oxford Road
Manchester
M139PL

Telephone: Office: 0161 275 6876 or Workshop: 0161 275 6853

Please note that due to the nature of our role we are often away from the desk to answer phone calls so leave a message and we will try to get back to you. Urgent contact can be made through the university switchboard directly to our workshop but we recommend either of the following e-mail addresses.

Staff Email addresses: Scott.Miller@manchester.ac.uk / lara.gerrard@manchester.ac.uk / paulina.voang@manchester.ac.uk / ken.chan@manchester.ac.uk

Please note that CAD related bookings can only be made in person although you are welcome to get in touch about machine availability or with and other questions.

Opening Times

Refer to the up to date opening times page for this years calendar.

For any further information about the workshop rules and regulations refer to the General Users Guide .

 

Recent Posts

AiM Biennale Sessions: You Ask, They Answer! Event summary

On June 28th we were joined by a group of MSA students from a mix of courses and year groups to put questions to a panel of guest speakers at La Biennale Di Venezia as part of Biennale Sessions 2025. The event took place alongside the Architects Index of Modelmaking Launch exhibition taking place at the European Cultural Centre’s Palazzo Bembo.

Our panel consisted of four speakers who represent practices who have contributed to the AiM project.

Peter Lee – HENN

Ecaterina Stefanescu – Other Peoples Dreams

Joe Morris – Morris + Company

Simnia Ionescu – OMI Architects

Huge thanks to everyone who supported the project up to now and those who made the trip out to Venice to join the discussions.

We’ll be sharing the full event recording in the coming weeks but for now here is a summary video of the weekend:

  1. B.15 Modelmaking Awards 2025 sponsored by Henning Larsen – Winners! Comments Off on B.15 Modelmaking Awards 2025 sponsored by Henning Larsen – Winners!
  2. AiM Biennale Sessions Event: You Ask, They Answer! – June 28th Comments Off on AiM Biennale Sessions Event: You Ask, They Answer! – June 28th
  3. B.15 Modelmaking Awards 2025 Sponsored by Henning Larsen – Submissions and Shortlist Comments Off on B.15 Modelmaking Awards 2025 Sponsored by Henning Larsen – Submissions and Shortlist
  4. B.15 Modelmaking Awards 2025 Sponsored by Henning Larsen Comments Off on B.15 Modelmaking Awards 2025 Sponsored by Henning Larsen
  5. Announcing AiM: The Architects Index of Modelmaking Exhibition Launch, Venice, May-November 2025 Comments Off on Announcing AiM: The Architects Index of Modelmaking Exhibition Launch, Venice, May-November 2025
  6. Easter Break and Late opening hours 2025 Comments Off on Easter Break and Late opening hours 2025
  7. MAKING in PRACTICE – Cassidy Wingrove, FCBS Guest Lecture Video Comments Off on MAKING in PRACTICE – Cassidy Wingrove, FCBS Guest Lecture Video
  8. MAKING in PRACTICE – Roger Stephenson OBE Guest Lecture Video Comments Off on MAKING in PRACTICE – Roger Stephenson OBE Guest Lecture Video
  9. MAKING in PRACTICE – StantonWilliams – Stephen Setford & Maz Weineck Guest Lecture Video Comments Off on MAKING in PRACTICE – StantonWilliams – Stephen Setford & Maz Weineck Guest Lecture Video