The MSA Collective is the cultural programme of the Manchester School of Architecture, bringing the full spectrum of events, voices, and ideas under one evolving umbrella. It serves as a platform for critical discourse, creative experimentation, and collaborative learning, supporting the school’s pluralistic and experimental approach to architectural education. The programme is structured around several core initiatives:
- Lectures and Talks, featuring leading practitioners, theorists, and emerging voices;
- Curated Exhibitions in the MSA Gallery, showcasing student-led and invited work;
- Seminars and Workshops, offering deeper explorations of design, theory, technology and representation.
Additionally, Design Chats + led by our Head of School, Professor Kevin Singh, create unique opportunities for students to discuss their work in an informal setting with both a well-known practitioner and the Head of School himself.
The Archizoom Lectures further expand the programme, inviting distinguished global experts to share insights via live-streamed sessions on YouTube. Curated across autumn and spring by different academic programmes, these lectures stimulate debate around research, education, professional practice, and the evolving questions of architecture’s social, spatial, and environmental responsibilities. Co-hosted by students and tutors, Archizoom highlights the school’s commitment to diverse perspectives, fostering innovation, imaginative thinking, and critical inquiry.
Together, these initiatives form the MSA Collective — a vibrant, inclusive platform that reflects the school’s ambition to cultivate open dialogue, global engagement, and continual experimentation at the heart of architectural practice and education.
