In PS1, we consider adaptive re-use in an ‘extensive’ context or condition. The Advanced Practice atelier has been invited to join the ‘Future Didsbury Project’, a live project founded by Phil Downs MBE and the Didsbury Civic Society, who seek a more accessible place to live, work and socialise. Together with members of the community, they aim to tackle the debilitating effects of the poor condition of the existing built environment. Our goal will be to propose a range of detailed design strategies for Didsbury Village that visualise innovative ideas that examines and rethinks what is considered ‘an accessible high street’. The project aims to map out and test imaginative but credible architectural design proposals for a ‘Future Didsbury’. A key design objective will be to improve access and ease of movement for all pedestrians and vehicles that visit the village. The main outputs will be a strategic plan for the high street and a detailed design proposal for the adaptation of one typical existing retail building. Design proposals will be exhibited publicly at Manchester Central Library and shared with key stakeholders- members of the community, councillors, residents, businesses and schools. The projects will be an essential part of the on-going Future Didsbury Project. The exhibition will inspire and build momentum for a future Didsbury involving the participation of the whole community.

In PS2 we consider an ‘intensive’ high-rise typology in a city-centre context to explore residential programme. The design research question and project aim is to explore and demonstrate the viability of timber construction as a structural solution for high-rise buildings. This will be explored and tested in the programmatic context of sustainable, affordable and/ or social housing. The project objectives will be to produce a building design that addresses and engages with current themes in relation to sustainability and demonstrates viability and limits of timber high-rise construction, including embodied carbon, energy performance in use and modern methods of construction (timber). Benchmarking against ‘exemplar’ designs will allow propositions in PS2 to be tested and evaluated. This includes built precedent and/ or measurement against published assessments and frameworks such as BREEAM, LEED, Passiv Haus and EU Levels etc. This includes critique and reflection of these metrics and standards. Digital modelling and environmental analyses will further allow exploration and refinement of design propositions. Prototype, Test, Conclude - portfolios will be structured to establish the key parameters and reference points for the project and develop a generic prototype design concept. This will then be tested in application to a specific site context and, finally, developed into a final design proposition to conclude the findings of the design research project.