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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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“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

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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.

Catch-up and additional induction dates

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Hi All,

Following the last intense induction week we have another few dates to bare in mind where the workshop will be closed to general access until those who missed out have completed the induction process both here and at MMU. Dates to take note of. MArch will be confirmed asap.

 B.15 Induction MA Architecture and Urbanism – Monday 8th October AM

Closed to general access Due to First Year Lecture – Wednesday 10th October AM

B.15 Induction 1st Year Catch-up session – Friday 12th October AM

B.15 Induction MArch Catch-up session – TBC

A note to MArch returning students:

Even though you will be familiar with the workshop having been here for your undergrad we are legally obliged to re-induct you to our working practice. It is therefore still necessary for you to attend an induction or you will not be allowed access to use B.15 or MMU workshops.

See you soon,

Scott and Jim

Welcome to 2018/19 at B.15!

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Welcome new and returning students for another year of fun and games in B.15!

Inductions

This week we have Inductions all day Tuesday to Thursday for our new comers and returning students. If you are scheduled to attend please do so as catch up sessions are difficult to arrange given how busy your timetables are. If you do happen to miss your allocated time/day there will be a limited catch-up session. Make sure you get in touch with your tutor to make them aware that you need to have an induction to find out when the catch up will be.

4D Modelshop will again be available across the 3 days of induction in the ARCHITYPES Exhibition, First Floor HBS as part of each induction. Anyone else who wishes to see some samples of their products is welcome to drop by and find out about the discounts available to you including free postage to B.15 for a limited time.

Materialise Magics Correction Software

After a long time in the pipeline we now have the latest version of Materialise Magics for use with 3D STL models. Magics can be used to identify errors in 3D models that can result in unexpected  print errors with any of our 3D Printers. In addition to this it allows for manual or automatic repairs to parts. This should help us to assist with the various issues that come up throughout the year and hopefully make for a more stream lined process that helps you see where your 3D modelling is going wrong.

Modelmaking reference books now in Katorowich Library

Many of you have asked previously if you can take some of our reference books home. As we don’t allow this with our specialist workshop library we have arranged for a number of the more popular books to be stocked in the Kantorowich Library up on the ground floor of HBS. If these prove well used we can arrange for more to be stocked.

You can find copies of Architectural Modelmaking, Second Edition by Nick Dunn, Modelling Messages by Karen Moon and Model Making by Megan Werner on row 720-720.92. There are also some older Modelmaking books there that may also prove of use.

Workshop Health and Safety

For those returning and new please remember to sign in and out when you use the workshop. This is important for us to have a record should the workshop need to be evacuated during a fire alarm. Additionally, being able to track who is using the space helps us to monitor use and better plan for the next year.

5th year returning students note, even if you have been inducted here previously, you are still required to complete new inductions at both B.15 and MMU Chatham workshop to qualify for our insurance.

As always we insist that workshop users are made aware of our health and safety policy document. The latest version is available for viewing/download here.

Upcoming Events

We’re currently finalising details for some upcoming events open to MSA Students. Stay tuned to our channels to find out more in the coming weeks.

That’s all for now, see you soon!

Scott & Jim