msa Manchester School of Architecture

Bachelor of Architecture /
Prototype (Year 5 only)

The Prototype unit takes material as a primary resource from which to develop the possibilities of tectonic assembly and the exploration of architectural space. Experimental workshop processes are utilised to investigate ways in which 'analogue' hands-on making can inform the use of 'digital' contemporary technologies. We are interested in the development of a material practice that connects thinking and making. The reductive deployment of resources, materials and fabrication methodologies are regarded as opportunities in relation to a sustainable culture.

About the Unit

The studio is structured as a design led collective and experimentation within a workshop environment is encouraged. Material research is recorded in the form of 'made' books alongside an ongoing digital archive. This process of material investigation concludes with a one-to-one construction project.

In Session One a theoretical position with respect to contemporary material practices and manufacturing is developed to inform hands-on workshop activity. A replicable or modular component using a single selected material is developed and fabricated at one-to-one scale and subsequently investigated as a spatial system.

In Session Two speculative spatial systems that mediate between material and the inhabitation of public space are developed. Specialist industry consultants are invited to collaborate and develop innovative material solutions to 'live' brief scenarios with an aim to construct in the public realm.

Projects during 2009/10

Prototype #01

Reflective Room is a temporary structure located in the Courtyard at the Manchester Museum. It was selected as the winning design from the Prototype unit in a competition that invited 5th Year students from the Manchester School of Architecture to design an environment to align with the summer events programme. It will stand in the Courtyard from 6th July until October 2010.

The Student Design Team which includes Matthew Mills, Adam Atratkzi, Spencer Fretwell, David Kent, Anna Parker and Mark Bonshek was assisted by Prototype Unit Leaders Ming Chung and Nick Tyson and Professor Neil Thomas from Atelier One Engineers.

'Reflective Room is formed by two interlocking L-shaped plywood elements forming a pair of benches with gradually sloping high backs. The structure is characterized by a combination of the use of contemporary machine tools and hands-on methods of assembly and construction.

The laminated vertical ribs and horizontal tabs are machined from standard grade WBP plywood forming a 'crude' external carcass that supports the 'fine' birch faced plywood internal skin. The skin is precision cut using a CNC router to form a filigree into which standard black ceramic glazed tiles are embedded. This produces a fragmented reflective interior surface that varies in density as the space becomes more enclosed.

The Reflective Room was fabricated in the Art and Design Workshops at MMU and assembled by all students involved in the project.

BArch Units 2009/10

Emergent Topographies

Material-Space

Prototype

Biomimetics

Continuity in Architecture

[Re_Map]

Emergent Urbanism

msa Projects

displace / non-place

Material Culture

Prototype and Material-Space Units share an interest in "material culture". Each Unit offers a distinctive educational experience in Year 5 but combine forces in Year 6 to offer a single Unit called Emergent Topographies.

Unit Staff

Ming Chung
Senior Lecturer

Nick Tyson
Principal Lecturer

Resources