Course Overview

Adaptation is now at the forefront of architectural practice; two of the most pressing challenges in the 21st century are climate change and urbanisation. To reuse an existing building is an inherently sustainable action. Given that already more than half of the global population live in urban environments, and by 2050, it is projected that over 70% of the world population will live in cities, all societies need to be able to accommodate growth while at the same time, reducing consumption. The existing building stock needs to become both more efficient and more resilient. 

You will investigate the three main tenets of sustainable reuse - environmental, societal, and economic – while also exploring inhabitation, heritage, culture, history, memory, community, and the influence these factors have on remodelling activities. Through looking at the impact that context and the environment have upon projects, you will develop an understanding of some of the technical issues including conservation, construction, environmental control, and materials in order to make creative and appropriate proposals for new users of buildings. You will also examine specific examples of adaptive reuse, theories of reuse and explore strategies for the conservation and adaptation of the existing environment, while also looking at the influence that art has upon architecture.

The course is therefore ideal preparation for careers in both professional and/or academic roles associated with sustainable urban, architectural and interior design, and within the heritage industry. Some examples of destinations that graduates on this programme have entered include: architectural and interior practice, conservation architecture, academia, and to progress into doctoral study.

Students benefit from the specialist workshops at Manchester School of Art and the University of Manchester to explore materiality, fabrication, and realisation of their ideas.

The programme is part of the Manchester School of Architecture, an internationally recognised leader in architectural education, with an outstanding employer reputation.

Features and Benefits

A top ranked school of architecture

Manchester School of Architecture is placed 5th in the world in the QS 2025 Architecture rankings.

Joint degree and world-class resources

You will study a programme jointly delivered by The University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University. Graduates receive a degree certificate that carries both institutions’ crests and titles.

Industry networks

You will benefit from MSA’s strong industry connections and employer network. Practitioner-tutors contribute directly to the studio curriculum, supported by international visiting speakers, practice visits, and building studies.

Make an impact

Shape the future of the built environment by exploring new, heritage friendly and sustainable approaches to development.

Space for innovation

The programme gives you access to the full range of facilities across both universities, including libraries, computer suites, making and media workshops, and more.

Expert staff

Engaged and responsive teaching, working with experts, research-active academic staff and leading design professionals.

Career Prospects

Graduates of Architecture and Adaptive Reuse will be well-equipped to enter a variety of roles within architecture, planning, conservation, and heritage management across both academic and industry contexts.

Duration

1 year full-time
2 years part-time

Teaching and Learning

As a student of Architecture and Adaptive Reuse, you will be introduced to a variety of key research methodologies that directly inform your practice, whilst developing a deeper understanding of architecture and reuse. 

Instead of the full time course's 60 credit module, part time students will study two 30 credit modules.

Modules

Full time students will study all modules in one year. These modules are: 

  • The Future of the Already Built
  • The City The Building The Room
  • Research Skills
  • Memory and Anticipation
  • Research Project
  • Adaptive Reuse Resolutions (60 credits, full time only)

Part time students will study modules across two years. In the first year, part time students will study: 

  • The Future of the Already Built
  • Memory and Anticipation
  • Design Process (30 credits, part time only)

Year 2 applies to part time students only. In the second year, part time students will study: 

  • The City The Building The Room
  • Research Skills
  • Research Project
  • Design Futures
The Future of the Already Built

The Future of the Already Built

This design-based module introduces the key practices necessary for engaging with adaptive reuse, this includes the essential concepts, strategies, technical knowledge, theories, and legislations. The module will discuss fundamental considerations such as sustainable design, heritage, conservation, interiors and urbanism, art and culture. Learning-through-doing will form the basis of the research within the module. You will work co-operatively and will be guided and supported through the production of a design-based project.

The City The Building The Room

The City The Building The Room

This module introduces the key principles and theories that underpin adaptive reuse. This includes areas such as culture, heritage, technology, sustainability, planning, conservation, and legislation. You will conduct investigations into the connections between the context, ecology and environment of the existing structure, the organisation and rhythm of the technology, and the elements that form the building, and then draw conclusions from the synthesis of this found knowledge.

Research Skills

Research Skills

In this module you will develop skills needed to undertake the research for the Research Project module. You will be introduced to methods that are used in data collection and analysis, and their related ethical considerations. You will develop skills in the critical assessment of academic literature and sources related to a research topic, and in critical writing.  

Memory and Anticipation

Memory and Anticipation

Within this module you are encouraged to critically engage with the development of a feasibility project that reflects real world settings and contemporary discourse in architecture and design. You will carry out in-depth investigation into a specific site or building(s). This research into the complexity of the existing situation will be explored through the engagement with architecture, master-planning, and interiors at a variety of scales. The synthesis of this research-through-doing exploration is the production of a feasibility study where the research conclusions translate into design opportunities. You are expected to either engage with self-selected site(s) or participate in a staff-developed project.

Research Project

Research Project

Through the Research Project module you will examine the built and designed environment within its wider theoretical, historical, socio-economic, and global context. Building upon the Research Skills module, in the Research Project module, you will undertake a period of research to produce an individually written exploration of a well-defined research topic. You will gain experience in applying critical evaluation of evidence from a range of sources in the service of the creation of new knowledge and further develop critical writing skills to advance coherent and rigorous academic arguments

Adaptive Reuse Resolutions (Full time only)

Adaptive Reuse Resolutions (Full time only)

This module is the culmination of the academic journey. Students will critically reflect upon the study and research conducted within the previous studio-based and humanities-based modules to develop a creative and intellectually based position. Students will employ applied creative design thinking to the challenging problems inherent within adaptive reuse and will be supported to develop their own project based upon their own background and skills. This is intended to aid the diverse future career ambitions of individual students.

Design Process (Part time only)

Design Process (Part time only)

In this design thesis project, underpinned by research-informed teaching, you will be encouraged to critically engage with the development of a programme in real world settings that reflect contemporary discourse in academic and professional practice. From this you will establish an intellectual position within the field of Architecture and Adaptive Reuse, and employ applied, creative design thinking to challenging problems. You will be supported through the module to develop your own strategic project based upon background and skills.

Design Futures (Part time only)

Design Futures (Part time only)

This module is the culmination of the academic journey. You will critically reflect upon the study and research conducted within the previous studio-based and humanities-based modules to develop a creative and intellectually based position. You will employ applied creative design thinking to the challenging problems inherent within adaptive reuse and will be supported to develop your own developed project based upon your own background, skills and ambitions. This is intended to aid the diverse future career ambitions of individual student.


Study methods

  • Full-time 25% lectures, seminars or similar; 0% placement; 75% independent study
  • Part-time 25% lectures, seminars or similar; 0% placement; 75% independent study

Assessment

  • Full-time 100% coursework; 0% practical; 0% examination
  • Part-time 100% coursework; 0% practical; 0% examination

Ten credits equates to 100 hours of study, which is a combination of lectures, seminars and practical sessions, and independent study. A Master of Arts qualification comprises of 180 credits. The exact composition of your study time and assessments for the course will vary according to your option choices and style of learning.

Staff

Professor Sally Stone
Professor Sally Stone Professor of Adaptive Reuse and Pedagogical Innovation View profile
Alberto V. Yebenes
Alberto V. Yebenes Senior Lecturer in Architecture and Adaptive Reuse View profile
Ranbir Lal
Ranbir Lal Senior Lecturer View profile
Gareth Puttock
Gareth Puttock Senior Lecturer, School Technologies Lead View profile

Explore students' work

MA News & Events

Lecture series
Just One Building
Speakers from professional practice and academia present an example of adaptive reuse. Videos available.
Our next postgraduate open day will take place on 07/02/2026. More details