MSA AGM Election Overview
We’re excited to announce our newly elected Council Members following our recent AGM and RIBA elections.
A huge thank you to Jenny Etheridge for her incredible leadership over the past 2.5 years as President. Under her guidance, the Society has achieved so much – and we’re incredibly grateful for the dedication, care and hard work that often happens behind the scenes. Our Society simply wouldn’t function without the commitment of all our Council Members.
We’re delighted to welcome our newly elected President Simina Ionescu, Treasurer Jake Vizard and Secretary Rodica Earmacov as we continue working towards our mission:
“To champion and nurture the present and future architects of Manchester.”
A sincere thank you to all our members and sponsors for your continued support and for being part of the MSA. We truly couldn’t do it without you. Here’s to the next two years!
A word from our new President:
“The Society is in a strong position and I’m committed to building on the progress already made with ambition and purpose. I want our events to challenge, inform and inspire – not simply fill calendars.
My priorities include expanding CPD-focused events and practice-based workshops, and strengthening collaboration with allied disciplines, universities, developers and local authorities to advocate for good design and sustainable development across our region.
I’m passionate about fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels a genuine sense of belonging. Architecture is rooted in teamwork, and I will listen closely to our members, working alongside them to ensure we continue to make a meaningful impact.
Together, we can strengthen the Society’s role as an inclusive, thoughtful and influential voice for architecture – supporting members at every stage of their careers and championing design excellence across our city region.”
MSA Official Roles
President
Simina Ionescu
Treasurer
Jake Vizard
Secretary
Rodica Earmacov
Paul Iddon – Vice President | Jenny Etheridge – Ex-Officio
MSA Council Members
- Shadath Chowdhury
- Heather Clifton
- Ged Couser
- Charlotte Fuller
- Phil Griffin
- Alina Iskrytska
- Shaun Jenkins
- Sohaib Khokhar
- Archontia Manolakelli
- Rob McGinnes
- Courtney McLoughlin
- Timothy Onyenobi
- Tom Partridge
- Josh Quinlan
- Laura Sanderson
- Luke Sharpley
- Steve Sullivan
- Alison Taylor
- Laura Coucill
- Alexandra Iordache
- Matthew Littlewood
Obituary: Desmond Williams OBE (1932–2026)
Obituary
Desmond Williams OBE
(1932–2026)
Desmond Williams OBE, born in 1932, was a distinguished British architect celebrated for his contributions to educational and ecclesiastical design. He was one of the most important architects of the Catholic Modernist movement in the United Kingdom, and the quality and significance of his work were recognised during his lifetime with the listing of four of his churches — a rare distinction that placed him firmly among the leading figures of post-war British architecture.
Williams was educated at St Bede’s School in Manchester, where his early interest in architecture began to take shape. A formative moment came during a teenage visit to Quarr Abbey on the Isle of Wight. The abbey’s simple brick interior, its harmonious proportions, and the powerful combination of architecture, music and liturgy left a lasting impression, inspiring a lifelong fascination with the relationship between space, sound and spiritual experience. His determination to pursue architecture was further strengthened by a cycling trip through East Anglia, during which he visited Norwich Cathedral alongside a number of local churches and historic houses.
He studied architecture at the University of Manchester School of Architecture, alongside contemporaries including Donald Buttress and David Gosling. After qualifying in 1958, he briefly formed a practice with Arthur Farebrother, securing early commissions for churches and schools. He subsequently established Desmond Williams and Associates, developing strong professional links with the Department of Education and Science. His work in education was marked by a rigorous understanding of planning, adaptability and efficiency, balancing pedagogical ambition with practical constraints. He collaborated with the Medds — a husband-and-wife architect team at the DES — alongside NM Pearson and later contributed to OECD research in Paris. Throughout his career, he designed numerous schools and colleges, most notably Lowton High School, Standish High School and an extension to Ampleforth College.
Alongside his educational work, Williams became highly regarded for his ecclesiastical architecture, demonstrating a rare ability to combine liturgical function, architectural ambition and artistic collaboration. His churches were bold yet disciplined, characterised by a confident use of materials, proportion and acoustics. Influenced by the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, he moved away from traditional, axial church layouts towards more inclusive, spatially dynamic forms that encouraged active participation by the congregation. Along with architects such as Gillespie, Kidd and Coia, Gerard Goalen, Francis Pollen and Austin Winkley, he embraced contemporary construction methods to realise the Vatican’s call for “noble simplicity”.
His vision is embodied in several now-listed churches, including St Augustine’s, Manchester (Grade II), St Dunstan’s, Birmingham (Grade II), St Michael’s, Penn, Wolverhampton (Grade II), and St Mary’s, Dunstable (Grade II). Of the latter, Williams explained: “It was circular, with the object being to bring as many of the congregation near the altar, and it proved very popular in attracting worshippers. The ceiling was inspired by my earlier visits to King’s College Chapel in Cambridge.”
Collaboration lay at the heart of Williams’ work. At St Augustine’s Roman Catholic Church in Manchester, he worked closely with the ceramic artist Bob Brumby and the glass artist Pierre Fourmaintraux. Brumby’s sculptural works, including the reredos Christ in Glory, and Fourmaintraux’s stained glass were integrated seamlessly into the architectural fabric, creating a unified liturgical space that exemplified the interdisciplinary spirit of British modernism in the 1960s.
In the 1970s, Williams formed a partnership with W & JB Ellis, enabling the practice to expand with offices in Hinckley and London. The firm evolved into Ellis Williams Architects, now with studios in London, Manchester, Cheshire, Liverpool and Berlin, and today ranks among the UK’s top 100 AJ100 practices.
Beyond practice, Williams played an influential role in the profession. He served as chair of RIBA Northwest, president of the Manchester Society of Architects, adviser to the OECD on educational development, and RIBA design co-ordinator for forums on education and higher education. He was also a generous mentor, patiently encouraging and supporting successive generations of young architects.
He was appointed OBE for services to architecture in the Queen’s 1988 Honours List. Despite his professional success, he remained modest and quietly devoted to his enduring interests in architecture, aviation, music and family life.
He is survived by his wife, Susan, and four children from his first marriage to Felicity: Dominic and Sarah, both architects, and Andy and Jez, musicians.
Manchester Society of Architects x AiM Exhibition: Making Matters @ Material Source
We are delighted to announce we will be partnering with AiM to bring an exciting model-making exhibition to Manchester next year following the successful launch exhibition at this year’s Biennale in Venice. See more about this here.
The exhibition will run for five weeks, from Monday 2nd March to Thursday 2nd April 2026. Stay tuned – exciting updates on the launch and full programme are coming soon!
In the meantime WE NEED YOU!
Your work is the exhibition. We are seeking contributions of up to three models per practice, ideally at different scales and/or showing the development of a single project. Alongside chosen models, we will request short supporting text, and we also welcome any video material showing the making or use of models in your practice.
The final selection of models to be exhibited will be curated based on proposals and spatial considerations.
If you’d like to take part, please complete the expression of interest form below:
All submissions will be reviewed and selected participants confirmed shortly after 9 January 2026.
Participation is free; we only ask that you arrange delivery and collection of your models to either the venue or our workshop.
If needed, we can recommend couriers depending on your location.
Key Dates
Confirm participation & proposed models: by 9 January 2026
Model delivery deadline: Friday 20 February 2026
Exhibition opens: Monday 2 March 2026
Exhibition closes: Thursday 2 April 2026
What is AiM?
The Architects Index of Modelmaking (AiM) is an online directory for architecture students and professionals. The project is run by B.15 Modelmaking Workshop at Manchester School of Architecture. Their aim is to build a network of local, national and international practitioners who champion the value of physical modelmaking in architectural design.
They continue to grow the network through social media, exhibitions and future publications. As some of you will know, the project was launched earlier this year with an exhibition at the European Cultural Centre during the Venice Architecture Biennale, attracting more than 88,000 visitors across six months.
Don’t have a practice profile? Join the growing network and set yours up now via www.the-aim.co.uk/sign-up
Thank you for your support, and we hope you’ll be able to join us for this next stage of the project.
The 160th Anniversary Dinner
A very special celebration.
On Thursday 6 November 2025, the Manchester Society of Architects welcomed over 200 guests to the iconic Albert Hall Manchester for a very special celebration – our 160th Anniversary Dinner.
The evening brought together architects, partners, supporters, and friends of the Society, including a number of past MSA Presidents, to mark this significant milestone in our history. Guests enjoyed arrival drinks beneath the venue’s spectacular vaulted ceilings before sitting down for a black-tie dinner, live entertainment, and an evening of connection across the architectural community.
As part of our commitment to social impact, we were proud to partner with the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity for this year’s dinner. Thanks to the generosity of our guests – and the many companies who kindly donated raffle prizes – we raised vital funds to support work tackling homelessness and rough sleeping across the region.
A highlight of the evening was the announcement of the inaugural MSA 160 People’s Favourite Building Award, launched earlier this year to celebrate the architectural projects that have shaped Manchester’s built environment. After strong engagement from the architectural community and the general public, we were delighted to reveal the Royal Exchange Theatre as the overall winner – a building that continues to stand as one of Manchester’s most iconic and loved architectural achievements.
The evening closed with live music from Groove Garden, as members of the profession – from students to senior leaders – joined together on the dance floor to celebrate 160 years of architectural creativity and collaboration in Manchester.
We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who attended, to our partners for their continued support, and to the entire MSA Committee, whose dedication, energy, and time make events like this possible.
Here’s to the next chapter – and the next 160 years of the MSA.
Browse the highlights
Partners
Event Review – Gen 9: Beyond the Skyline
On Thursday 2nd October, the Manchester Society of Architects welcomed over 150 architects, planners, designers, developers, students, and city-shapers to Campfield for Gen9: Beyond the Skyline – a dynamic symposium marking the 160th anniversary of the MSA.
The event explored the evolution of Manchester’s built environment across eight generations and turned the spotlight firmly onto Gen9: the people shaping, living, and working in the city today.
Inspiring Talks & Big Ideas
We were joined by an outstanding line-up of speakers who each brought a unique perspective on the forces shaping Manchester’s future:
- Andrew Spinoza
- Tim Heatley
- Katie Wray
- Professor Kevin W Singh
- David West
- Jessica Bowles
- Catalina Ionita
Through presentations, provocations, and conversations, the speakers unpacked the social, cultural, economic, and design challenges facing the city – from growth and sustainability to identity, community, and ambition.
A huge thank you to Phil Griffin, who chaired the evening with his trademark insight, humour, and warmth.
Celebrating 160 Years of the MSA
As part of our anniversary celebrations, guests explored our MSA 160 Exhibition, showcasing favourite Manchester buildings from across the last eight generations. Attendees were invited to vote in the People’s Choice via QR code results to be announced at the dinner in November.
Our Gen9: Postcards to the Future Skyline interactive installation also gathered drawings, messages, and ideas from guests throughout the night. These postcards will form a visual snapshot of how today’s generation imagines the skyline of tomorrow.
A Vibrant Room Full of Energy
The atmosphere throughout the evening reflected the collaborative, forward-looking spirit of Manchester’s built environment community. The diversity of attendees — from students to senior leaders — highlighted the importance of creating forums that cut across disciplines and generations.
A special thank you to Flokk for generously providing the furniture for the event.
Thank You
Thank you to all speakers, contributors, partners, and attendees for making Gen9: Beyond the Skyline such a memorable success.
Browse the highlights
Partners
160 Favourite Building – The People’s Choice
The Manchester Society of Architects is proud to announce the launch of the MSA 160 Favourite Building – People’s Choice Vote, a key part of its year-long celebrations marking 160 years since the Society’s founding in 1865. Vote Now →
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2005 – 2025 Cultural Renaissance, High Rise Returns, Brexit, Covid 19, Grenfell and Northern Gateway
THE CIVIL JUSTICE CENTRE
Architect: Denton Corker Marshall
Completion Year: 2008
The yellow-draw filing cabinet, sliced vertically in three parts: offices, courts, and full height glass atrium, exciting and discreet at the same time.
2005 – 2025 Cultural Renaissance, High Rise Returns, Brexit, Covid 19, Grenfell and Northern Gateway
TIMEKEEPER’S SQUARE
Architect: Buttress
Completion Year: 2017
A step off Chapel Street, between a Gothic Revival cathedral and a Greek revival parish church, Timekeeper’s Square is a benchmark for low-rise residential development, that distinguishes Salford from its brash neighbour.
2005 – 2025 Cultural Renaissance, High Rise Returns, Brexit, Covid 19, Grenfell and Northern Gateway
BEETHAM TOWER
Architect: SimpsonHaugh
Completion Year: 2006
A sleek, unique outline that quickly became the globally recognised visual Icon of the city.
1985 – 2005 IRA, Regeneration, Globalisation and a bit of Post-Modernism
THE PUMP HOUSE
PEOPLE’S HISTORY MUSEUM
Architect: OMI
Completion Year: 1994
Few people now know what a Pump House was; a pumping station for converting roof-top stored water (from the river Irwell) into hydraulic power creating a vacuum that delivered packages through pipes in the immediate area of the city; water-powered drones.
1985 – 2005 IRA, Regeneration, Globalisation and a bit of Post-Modernism
HOMES FOR CHANGE, HULME
Architect: Mills Beaumont Leavey Channon
Completion Year: 1994
The housing cooperative in Hulme, funded by the Guinness Trust in collaboration with Manchester City Council and the government’s City Challenge, the large deck-access residential and mixed-use court development is the result of long-term public consultation and collaboration between designers and the community.
1985 – 2005 IRA, Regeneration, Globalisation and a bit of Post-Modernism
THE LOWRY
Architect: James Stirling and Michael Wilford
Completion Year: 2000
It arrived with the new millennium and is one of the UK’s more successful examples of culturally led regeneration, the architects wrapping a simple drawing of back-to-back theatres in a circulation of spaces and vistas as dramatic as the waterfront location.
1965 – 1985 EU, Economic Challenges, Things Can Only Get Better and the Rise of the Machines
NORTH TOWER
(FORMER HIGHLAND HOUSE)
Architect: Leach Rhodes Walker
Completion Year: 1966
The TV windows are the theme of the slender slab of system concrete panels, made easier on (some people’s) eye by the corporate purple coat of the hotel occupier.
1965 – 1985 EU, Economic Challenges, Things Can Only Get Better and the Rise of the Machines
55 KING STREET
Architect: Casson, Conder & Partners
Completion Year: 1969
A strong-box of a building by Sir Hugh Casson for District Bank, dressed in hand-tooled vertically ribbed bouncer-black Swedish granite, not to be messed with.
1965 – 1985 EU, Economic Challenges, Things Can Only Get Better and the Rise of the Machines
ROYAL EXCHANGE THEATRE
Architect: Levitt Bernstein
Completion Year: 1976
A seven-sided steel and glass pod enclosing an 800-seat auditorium on 3 levels, no member of the audience being further that ten metres from centre stage; unique, thrilling, as startlingly modern today as it was on opening night in 1976.
1945 – 1965 Post-War Reconstruction, Slum clearance, Queen Elizabeth II and Swinging 60s
GRANADA HOUSE
Architect: Ralph Tubbs
Completion Year: 1962
Sidney Bernstein, a cinema owner from Essex chose Manchester for his move into television, chose Ralph Tubbs, architect of the Festival of Britain’s Dome of Discovery to design his Quay Street HQ, and built what is arguably the most significant post war cultural building in the city.
1945 – 1965 Post-War Reconstruction, Slum clearance, Queen Elizabeth II and Swinging 60s
CIS TOWER & NEW CENTURY HOUSE
Architect: Gordon Tait and G. S. Hay
Completion Year: 1962
The Co Op Campus, branded NOMA, has undergone major adaptation and reuse over the last decade and the trio of Chicago-inspired curtain-wall towers, pavilion and podium are as good as the International Style gets in the UK.
1945 – 1965 Post-War Reconstruction, Slum clearance, Queen Elizabeth II and Swinging 60s
PETER HOUSE
Architect: Ansell and Bailey
Completion Year: 1958
Curvy, canopied, clad in Portland stone; not the only building facing St Peter’s Square to style these characteristics, Peter House partners Central Library in subtle ways.
1925 – 1945 Industrial Diversification, Great Depression, WW2 and Women’s Suffrage
DAILY EXPRESS MANCHESTER
Architect: Sir Owen Williams
Completion Year: 1939
The black glass building – a skin of opaque glass and vitrolite – landed on Great Ancoats Street as war broke out across Europe, like an invader from another galaxy.
1925 – 1945 Industrial Diversification, Great Depression, WW2 and Women’s Suffrage
CENTRAL LIBRARY AND TOWN HALL EXTENSION
Architect: E Vincent Harris
Completion Year: 1938
E Vincent Harris won the competition to design a building for council offices, reference library and theatre, by separating out the functions into two buildings dissected by a walkway, resulting in a startling assembly of geometries unique to this site.
1925 – 1945 Industrial Diversification, Great Depression, WW2 and Women’s Suffrage
SUNLIGHT HOUSE
Architect: Joseph Sunlight
Completion Year: 1932
Manchester’s first skyscraper, Chicago-inspired, designed and built by self-taught architect developer Joseph Zchovsky, who came to Manchester from Belorussia, changed his name to Sunlight, and made a great leap upwards (to fourteen storeys).
1905 – 1925 Trams, Trafford Park and WW1
BRIDGEWATER HOUSE
Architect: Harry S. Fairhurst
Completion Year: 1912
Revolutionary shipping warehouse for the motor vehicle age.
1905 – 1925 Trams, Trafford Park and WW1
ALBERT HALL
Architect: William James Morley
Completion Year: 1908
Built for Wesleyan Methodists by a Bradford architect, clad in Burmantofts terracotta from Leeds, arguably the best rock-and-roll venue in town, which is not quite what the Methodists had in mind.
1905 – 1925 Trams, Trafford Park and WW1
100 KING STREET
Architect: Sir Edwin Lutyens
Completion Year: 1935
The architect of New Delhi brought a geometric puzzle-box clad in white Portland Stone to the Manchester grime.
1885 – 1905 Manchester Ship Canal, Urban Expansion and Electricity
FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST SCIENTIST
Architect: Edgar Wood
Completion Year: 1904
Currently marketed as Daisy Bank Manor, should you wish to celebrate your wedding in Grade I listed church designed by Edgar Wood, the first Christian Science Church outside the USA.
1885 – 1905 Manchester Ship Canal, Urban Expansion and Electricity
VICTORIA SQUARE ANCOATS’
Architect: Henry Spalding and A.W.Cross
Completion Year: 1889
Original Modern City housing, the oldest extant municipal scheme in the UK, still housing residents in the original five-storey deck-access square.
1885 – 1905 Manchester Ship Canal, Urban Expansion and Electricity
JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY
Architect: Basil Champneys
Completion Year: 1890
Enriqueta Rylands’ neo-Gothic memorial to husband John Rylands, Manchester’s first multi-millionaire.
1865 – 1885 The Years of Industrial Expansion
MANCHESTER TOWN HALL
Architect: Alfred Waterhouse
Completion Year: 1877
We are promised our Town Hall back, restored, refreshed and resplendent in 2026.
1865 – 1885 The Years of Industrial Expansion
JOHN OWENS BUILDING - UoM
Architect: Alfred Waterhouse
Completion Year: 1873
Impossible to overstate the importance of the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University and the whole Higher Education sector to the city, and the John Owens Building is its foundation.
1865 – 1885 The Years of Industrial Expansion
MEMORIAL HALL
Architect: Thomas Worthington
Completion Year: 1866
Venetian Gothic palazzo across piazza Albert Square.
For more than a century and a half, architects across eight generations have helped shape Manchester’s built environment, leaving a legacy of significant and inspiring buildings. To celebrate this milestone, the MSA has curated a shortlist of 24 outstanding projects that represent the breadth and brilliance of the city’s architectural heritage.
The People’s Choice Vote invites the public, architectural professionals, and the wider community to select their favourite building from this unique collection.
Votes can be cast online via the voting form at the bottom of this page, with the winner to be announced at the Manchester Society of Architects Annual Dinner on Thursday 6th November 2025.
Speaking about the initiative, [Jenny Etheridge. MSA President] said:
“This vote is an opportunity to celebrate 160 years of architectural excellence and to recognise the buildings that continue to inspire, define, and represent Manchester. We look forward to seeing which project is chosen as the people’s favourite.”
Voting Form
Click the next button below to cast your vote
or open the form in a new page
MSA Awards 2025 Highlights
Our mission is ‘to champion and nurture the present and future architects of our city region’, and this year’s awards ceremony was a landmark celebration of that vision. Marking 160 years of the Manchester Society of Architects and the 50th edition of the MSA Awards, we gathered in the stunning Royal Exchange to honor the creativity and dedication shaping Manchester’s built environment.
A Historic Evening
To commemorate our 160th anniversary, we introduced the People’s Choice Award, inviting the public to vote for Manchester’s most influential building across eight generations. The winner will be revealed at our anniversary dinner in November—be sure to cast your vote!
This year’s independent judge, Glenn Howells (founding partner of Glenn Howells Architects), praised the 120+ submissions for their “bold ambition and thoughtful placemaking,” reflecting the vibrant future of architecture in our region.
Congratulations to all shortlisted practices and award recipients!
Our Thanks to the 2025 Sponsors
This event would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. We extend our deepest gratitude to:
Beplas • Velux • Reynears • RGB Facades • Cosentino • James Hardie • Mansell Building Solutions • Greenlam • Imperial Bricks • Ash & Lacey • Langley • Siematic • RIBA North West • AGC Glazing • Rockwool • Tenmat
Your commitment to Manchester’s architectural community helps make these celebrations of excellence possible. We’re especially grateful to our judge Glenn Howells, and to all attendees and submitters who made this 160th anniversary year so special.
Browse the highlights
Partners
MSA Award Winners 2025
Commercial Built Award Winner
Plot 9a First Street – John Matthews Architects
The winning scheme is a striking building, civic context. It is strong architecturally, a well organised – flexible workspace. It’s more than just attractive. The Façade has been considered from the outset to deliver clever environmental performance whilst offering the opportunity for natural ventilation. The building also offers people working in the building communal roof terrace with views.
Commercial Unbuilt Award Winner
Hatters Square Food Hall – Office Renosos-Urmston
The clever retention of the retaining structure has created an amazing scheme of mixed uses. Its much more than an office building. The food hall is a catalyst for wider regeneration.
Private House Built Award Winner
Woodend – GA Studio
This very elegant proposal, reinterprets traditional masonry buildings using Bowden brickwork to create amazing spaces. The house is beautifully linked to landscape and context. Understated yet highly confident and calm.
Private House Unbuilt Award Winner
Dane Bank Road – Scott Donald Architecture
The winning scheme is an amazing concept. Understated – yet when built will be an astonishing experience. Using levels and planning constraints and slight limitations to create a point which makes the most of the views and landscape available
Multiple Residential Built Award Winner
The Quadrant – Stephenson Hamilton Risley
The winner is a building which has created four exquisite self-contained homes whilst presenting itself as one house. Restrained considered and very beautiful. Also works in terms of its context, sitting with large, scaled homes – Very beautiful.
Multiple Residential Unbuilt Award Winner
Whitworth Street West – Sheppard Robson
The winning scheme responds successfully to a tight challenging site. Not only does the scheme have strong architectural treatment but celebrates the active ground floor use. The building is brave and ambitious.
Retrofit and Adaptive Reuse Award Winner
Egyptian Rooms – BDP
This recognition celebrates a scheme that is both sensitive to its historic context and boldly reimagined for contemporary use. The ambition is evident, the scheme has been beautifully conceived and masterfully delivered by the architect
Small Project Award Winner
Lindop – ARCD
The winning projects highly understated extension completely transforms the house. Minimal intervention and huge potential for the lucky people who live here.
Community Built Award Winner
MMU Science & Engineering Building – BDP
The winning scheme has a large and challenging brief, many complex spaces. What the Architects have delivered is a fantastic building with a central heart space. A community of academic and students together. This building completes a larger vision of the university masterplan
Community Unbuilt Award Winner
St George’s, Tyldesley – Buttress
This project breaks down barriers for the community. It is a true asset to the local community and breaks down barriers. The brief and vision is innovative and brave. The striking extension breathes life.
Future Architect Award Winner
The Lab – Alina Iskrytska
A brilliantly thought through and presented adaptive reuse strategy in Crewe that creatively tackles local health issues.
This work is both rigorously thought through, ambitious in scale yet explored down to materials and details — and beautifully presented in models and drawings.
Presidents Choice Award Winner
Plot 9a First Street – John Matthews Architects
A project which Balances strength with elegance, and presence with sensitivity. This building is striking without dominating its surroundings. Its considered materiality and texture lend a depth that both grounds the scheme in its context and elevates it as a beacon of refined urban design. Commended for its sustainable ethos and architectural integrity.
Outstanding Contribution Award Winner
Ian Simpson
An architect whose bold and innovative work has transformed Manchester’s skyline and urban fabric. His legacy is woven into the city we see today, and his impact will be felt for generations to come. A true force in Manchester’s architectural journey.
MSA Awards 2025 - Judge Announcement
We are delighted to announce our Judge for this year’s MSA 2025 Awards – Glenn Howells
Glenn Howells founded Howells in 1990, earning acclaim for innovative, award-winning UK architecture and urban regeneration, particularly in Birmingham and East London. With offices in Birmingham and London, the firm now leads international projects in Australia and Europe.
Glenn actively encourages design debate and Howells has been in its own creative space and gallery in Digbeth since 2002, providing a place for people to come together and discuss how to create better cities and buildings to meet future challenges affecting Birmingham and the West Midlands
Outside Howells, Glenn has been involved in an advisory role for several leading creative and educational organisations and advised government bodies and local authorities. Including Birmingham City Council, RIBA, CABE, University of Warwick, Design:Midlands, Ikon Gallery, Birmingham Hippodrome, and the Canal & River Trust
Manchester Society of Architects celebrates 160 years!
This year marks a remarkable milestone for the Manchester Society of Architects as we proudly celebrate our 160th anniversary! This incredible achievement reflects not only our rich history but also our ongoing commitment to the architectural community.
To honor this significant occasion, our events program will pay homage to the society’s storied past, celebrate the vibrant present, and look forward to our vision for the future. We have an exciting lineup of events planned that you won’t want to miss!
Stay tuned for announcements about our upcoming events, and be sure to check out our website and social media channels for the latest updates. Join us in celebrating 160 years of innovation, creativity, and community in architecture!