Gorgeous Gorse Hill
I am an aspiring architect who has completed my Master of Architecture at Manchester Metropolitan University. I graduated with a BA (Hons) Architecture degree from UCLan, Preston, in 2022. Following graduation, I worked as a Planning Officer at Hyndburn Borough Council, gaining valuable experience in planning policy and development management. I then joined Horizon Fletcher, where I have worked for over two and a half years, developing my skills across a range of architectural projects. During the summer of 2025, I also expanded my professional experience into the construction sector, strengthening my understanding of design delivery and the built environment.
For my MArch 2 project, I developed a community-led Live Well Centre in Gorse Hill, designed to help resist the negative effects of gentrification by empowering local people through shared spaces, affordable resources, and opportunities for participation. Informed by extensive research into the area's social, economic, and demographic challenges, the proposal aims to strengthen community resilience, improve wellbeing, and foster a stronger sense of belonging.
At the heart of the scheme is a community kitchen that promotes education around food, nutrition, and sustainable living, while also providing free, healthy meals for individuals and families in need. The project also incorporates a range of affordable housing options, responding to the anticipated redevelopment pressures associated with Old Trafford and helping to reduce the risk of displacement for existing residents.
Alongside these facilities, the centre provides flexible spaces for work, learning, collaboration, and social activity, particularly aimed at supporting younger people. Together, these elements create an inclusive environment that encourages community engagement, builds local skills, and supports long-term social and economic sustainability within Gorse Hill.
