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!
Happy New Year 2025
A New Year Message From The President
Happy New Year to all our members, partners & colleagues!
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and a restful break in preparation for the exciting year ahead.
2024 has been a busy year for the MSA, the council worked extremely hard expanding our events programme to deliver varied, topical sold-out events. We are keen to keep this momentum, and are anticipating a busy 2025, with some very exciting developments in the pipeline.
Looking ahead into 2025 we want to build on the success of last year, maintaining our society’s vision –
‘to champion and to nurture the present and future architects of Manchester’
Whilst running events which encapsulate some fundamental themes including:
• The Building Safety Act
• Sustainability, Carbon, Retrofit & Refit
• Leadership
• Value and Communication
We’re excited this year to announce the launch of our Practice Membership Programme—and we’d love all Manchester Practices to join us. We will be launching a dedicated platform in 2025 to streamline this programme – more details will follow.
Together, let’s make 2025 a year of growth, collaboration, and excellence.
All our upcoming events will be promoted on our new website
Please get in touch with us either by signing up as a member here
or contact info@the-msa.co.uk – we would love to hear from you.
Happy New Year and thank you for your continued support.
Jenny Etheridge.
MSA President and Associate Architect
at Ellis Williams Architects
The MSA Dinner 2024
A fantastic evening at the Science & Industry Museum.
The MSA Dinner has been a main-stay on the architectural calendar for years – a chance to get together, to celebrate the achievements over the past year, and ultimately – to party. And the attendees this year did just that!
This year’s MSA Dinner was hosted at the amazing Science & Industry Museum. The event had something for everyone – delicious food, a quality bar service, music from the incredible ‘The French Quarter Collective’, a DJ, dancing, Photo Booth and even a dedicated caricaturist who was on hand all night to turn Manchester’s most notable architects into cartoon versions of themselves.
The evening saw the MSA partner with RMHC UK to raise funds for their Manchester House and we were delighted to be joined by Janet Pennington to represent and tell us more about the charity.
As many of you will now know, RMHC UK provide a space to give families the chance to stay close to their child whilst they are in hospital.
A huge thank you to the companies that provided fantastic prizes for the raffle draw on the evening.
We are delighted to announce that so far, we have raised in excess of £3749 which will cover the cost of 3 families staying at the Ronald McDonald House Manchester every night from now until Christmas Day. Help us raise the extra so that together, we can cover the costs of those families until the New Year. See link here if you wish to contribute: https://www.justgiving.com/page/msa-1728828698794
The night was a sell-out, and we are already thinking ahead to 2025.
We couldn’t put on events of that scale and quality without the support of our amazing sponsors. A huge thank you to – Rockwool, Tenmat, Beplas, Mansell Building Solutions, Greenlam, Langley, Reynaers, RGB Facades, Ash & Lacy, Velux, Imperial Bricks, Cosentino, James Hardie, Siematic, RIBA North West
Browse the highlights
Partners
Updated specification range now available from Imperial Bricks
Designed to wow, these handmade bricks are full of character and varying texture, adding a natural, organic aesthetic to any project.
Consisting of 18 blends, the range offers endless possibilities across a full spectrum of colours. Whether a design calls for a nod to the traditional orange of the Victorian and Edwardian eras, with detailed brickwork, intricate patterns and a warm, classic appearance, or the sleek, modern aesthetic offered by our cool-toned grey and black varieties. There’s something in this range guaranteed to spark the imagination.
All blends in the Specification Range are available in metric, linear and brick slip formats suitable for various façade systems.
Ruth Hughes, Head of Specifications, says of the expanded range; “We’re very excited to announce the updated Specification Range. It’s designed to help streamline the product selection process for architects, developers, and specifiers. After extensive development, we can now boast the UK’s only handmade offering that is available in multiple formats, fully tested, and capable of being delivered in volume.”
Contact our dedicated specification team today for more details or to request a sample. You can also order free samples online here.
All bricks in the range are manufactured to BS EN 771-1, thoroughly tested, and F2 rated for frost resistance.
Blueprints for the Soul – book released
Manchester Society of Architects is proud and delighted to support the launch of this inspirational new book – Blueprints for the Soul, published by RIBA and written by two North West authors, Barbara Iddon and Nick Moss.
Engaging and warm in its approach, this richly illustrated book is easy to read and difficult to put down.
It is the antidote to cynicism, and stands head and shoulders above other works in this area. We cannot recommend it highly enough.
MSA Awards 2024 Highlights
Our mission is ‘to champion and nurture the present and future architects of our city region’. This event is all about championing the excellent work that you all produce and so it’s great to see you turn out in force to celebrate the achievements of Manchester’s Architects. This year’s presentation event took place in an example of that work with The Archive, at Mayfield Depot. We were pleased to be joined on the night by over 550 friends and colleagues from across the construction industry.
We couldn’t put on events of that scale and quality without the support of our amazing sponsors. A huge thank you to Be Plas, Velux, Reynears, RGB Facades, Cosentino, James Hardie, Mansell Building Solutions, Greenlam, Imperial Bricks, Ash & Lacey, Langley, Siematic and of course the RIBA North West!
The achievements of our members and us coming together each year to celebrate that is well matched to the very definition of society. This year we received over 150 fantastic submissions. Thank you to everyone that entered and well done to all the winners.
Our independent judge for this year was Mary Duggan. Prior to establishing Mary Duggan Architects, Mary was a founding director of Duggan Morris Architects where she co-led the practice from 2004-2017. During her tenure Duggan Morris Architects received numerous industry awards for design excellence, including ten RIBA National and Regional Awards, three Civic Trust Awards, three Nominations for the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award, The Stephen Lawrence Prize, The Manser Medal and consideration for the RIBA Stirling Prize for three buildings. We were delighted she could join us in person on the night to present the awards.
Browse the highlights
MSA Award Winners 2024
Commercial Built Award Winner
Havelock – OMI
The winning scheme is very respectful of the light industrial Victorian context, asserting a rhythm that allows the scale to sit comfortably, adopting an elegant suite of details. The successful retention of embodied carbon by reutilising the existing concrete frame is a significant achievement, setting an exemplar for the area.
Commercial Un-Built Award Winner
Pall Mall Court – Sheppard Robson
This projects sensitively upgrades a significant Grade II listed landmark building to 21st Century standards. The architects have innovated details that incorporate modern standards of airtightness whilst respecting the original design intent, the materiality, and the articulation.
Significantly, a clever relocation of the building entrance releases and invigorates an unused area of public realm.
Private House Built Award Winner
Warwick House – Artform
This extensive remodelling of an Arts & Crafts house responds effortlessly to the existing massing and articulation. Multiple contemporary brick details are deployed to add texture and movement to the new facades along with punched windows allied with the main house. Additional playful levels are added to the rear extension cleverly mediating and engaging the level difference between the house and garden.
Private House UnBuilt Award Winner
The Walled Garden – Annabelle & Co
This wonderful proposal for a family house adopts an approach to materiality allied closely with its context, whilst adopting a lean and practical construction logic. Stone is locally sourced to establish a base datum of walls and partitions onto which a loose ensemble of domestic programme is distributed with simple timber modules.
Multi Residential Built Award Winner
Oldham Road – Tim Groom Architects
This striking building marks an adventurous start to this developing post-industrial area taking the opportunity to establish a strong architectural form and detail language. Private and public programme has been rigorously thought through. Residential streetside terraces are secluded within deep offsets behind the main façade providing privacy to areas that otherwise might feel exposed.
Multi Residential UnBuilt Award Winner
Parkland View – Ollier Smurthwaite
This project responds intelligently to the complexities of house building procurement constraints, using modular repetition, height variation and strategic material changes. The urban staggered colourful blocks along with a strict retail ground datum integrate sensitively with the local contextual conditions, both parkland and residential.
Intended to be built to Passivhaus Standards, the scheme has all the ingredients to provide a vibrant addition to the neighbourhood.
Retrofit and Reuse Award Winner
Crusader – Shedkm
The commitment to retaining the structure with apparent minimal intervention and restraint was applauded along with the developer’s commitment to an ‘owners-first’ approach to the sales of the new dwellings, mindful of the need to both establish and retain a community.
The circulation towers provide a colourful, compliment to the historic structure as well as an orientation device within the cloistered residences.
Small Project Award Winner
Cross House – Scott Donald Architecture
This project is a playful and beautifully executed design which has responded to the domestic scale of the property and its inherent detail, both internally and externally. The contemporary interpretation of the existing fenestration geometry plays a significant role in retaining its character whilst totally transforming the house programme.
Community Built Award Winner
Caernarfon Castle – Buttress
The simplicity of the interventions on balance with the huge impact made on the structure is almost implausible. Described as furniture pieces, a series of lightweight infills, additions and terraces have been ingeniously grafted onto and into the Castle structure causing minimal harm and re-engaging an essential local historic landmark with the wider community.
Community UnBuilt Award Winner
Castlefield Viaduct – BDP
This project has a genuine sense of liberation. Not only is it a historic structure released from stagnation, it is also a gift to the community. The project provides multiple programmes including social spaces, green spaces, growing beds and educational activities performed alongside each other. The level of change and influence it will promote in coming years to young and old through its democratic attitude is exhilarating.
Future Architect Award Winner
The Eden Cooperative – Muhammad Haziq Rosle
The winning submission proposes a really intelligent environmental focused solution which is incredibly well researched, both scientifically and anthropologically whilst also master planning a major piece of infrastructure.
Presidents Choice Award Winner
Caernarfon Castle – Buttress
This award goes to a project this year, which is bold yet sensitive and subtle yet clever. The projects accessibility, sensitive restoration, and community benefit are at the forefront of the design. The scale and location of this project fosters a sense of openness and connection to the town. Creating a building that inspires creativity and contemplation.
Outstanding Contribution Award Winner
George Mills
This award is not just a recognition of individual talent and hard work, but a celebration of visionary design, innovative thinking, and a profound commitment to enhancing the built environment in the city region.
George has been a pivotal inspiration of regeneration and urbanism in Manchester and Salford across four decades. As much as he is a bold designer, he is perhaps, above all, a great communicator. He started the conversations between architects, construction professionals and city councils that set us off to being the outstanding UK region of renewal we are today.
Manchester Heritage Advisory Panel - Call for Representation
MHAP are looking for two representatives to fill positions on the dedicated panel. The panel is a forum discussion between members about planning policy concerning Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas, it is a means of alerting the planning department to Listed or Historic buildings at risk and a resource for advice to Planning Officers and the Planning and Highways committee about specific Planning and Listed Building Consent applications.
Panel meetings are typically held monthly, commence with feedback from the city Conservation Officer, before proceeding to presentations of current applications (and pre-applications) by the case officers. The meetings end with topics raised by the panellists, such as building risk, enforcement, suggestions for listings etc.
MSA Nomination Requirements:
For anyone wishing to apply to the role, please can you submit the following information to info@the-msa.co.uk by Monday 22nd April 2024.
- Evidence (via a CV) of current and/or recent experience of work on Listed Buildings in Manchester (e.g the area covered by the City Council). – Local knowledge is essential in order to properly assess applications and in order to participate in the discussion and review of policy with respect to the city’s Conservation Areas.
- A statement outlining the expertise (and special areas of interest) you can bring to the panel and perhaps a brief commentary on what you consider to be the key issues concerning conservation and Manchester’s heritage generally.
- A commitment to attend at least 60% of the meetings. Applications often return to the panel after amendment (or re-application after refusal) so it is important that the panel applies its advice consistently over an extended time period. Meetings are currently held from 1:45pm (usually ending 4-5pm on the second Tuesday of each month.
Please note a catholic appreciation of architectural styles and knowledge of Manchester will be assessed higher than technical expertise in conservation matters.
Meet the Team Q&A – Shadath Chowdhury
Society Speaks Series
Meet the Team Q&A
Shadath Chowdhury
Bio
Name: Shadath Chowdhury
MSA Role: Secretary
Manchester Practice: Tim Groom Architects
Job Description: Architect
- Why Architecture?
From a young age, I spent hours drawings or painting. My sketchbooks were filled with drawings of buildings, city scenes, and interiors. I knew early on that I would eventually end up in a career relating to art and design. Alongside art, I had an interest in maths and physics, which inevitably paved my path towards a career in Architecture.
- What drives your passion for Architecture?
Architecture is not just a building, it is about the spaces that are created around it. In particular, I enjoy problem solving and the urban planning side of architecture.
My interest are in buildings that create high quality public realms and strong relationships with its context. At the opposite spectrum, I also like detailing and ornamentation; all of which gives a building its own character and charm.
- How did your architecture education and career journey to date, bring you to working in Manchester?
To begin my career in Architecture, I had to identify an appropriate school of Architecture. Manchester School of Architecture due to its reputation and the location in the city made it a clear choice for me. The undergrad course helped me build a toolkit of skills that would become the foundation of my architectural learning.
Following this, I began my 12-month placement at Saunders Architecture and Urban Design in the summer of 2017. My work predominantly persisted of social housing and master planning. Towards the end of my placement, I became more confident in my abilities to design. I also gained a vast amount of experience in the construction stages, which made me more of a well-rounded designer. At the end of my placement I was asked to stay on and work part time while doing my masters.
For my masters, I decided to go back to the Manchester school of architecture where I got to shift my learning to residential, adaptive reuse and master planning. After graduation, I joined Tim Groom Architects (TGA) which is a practice with projects that are aligned with my interests. I did my part III at TGA and currently work as an architect here. TGA have a strong presence in Manchester with majority of the workload within the city centre. I am fortunate to work with amazing people, on exciting projects and get myself involved with the development of Manchester.
- What do you enjoy the most about being an Architect in Manchester?
The best part of being in Manchester is that I get to immerse myself into a vibrant and culturally diverse city, where each corner has its own unique character, heritage and charm. It is a city that is ever evolving, with cranes cementing itself as part of the skyline. There is no other city like it with the ambition and drive for high quality development, making it a really exciting place to be an architect.
- What was it that made you decide to be involved on the Manchester Society of Architects committee.
I joined the MSA with the hopes of getting more involved with the industry and meeting passionate, intelligent, and creative like-minded people. After attending a few monthly meetings, I began to find my footing within the society and started to help organise events. Shortly after, I was elected as Secretary in 2020.
As part of the Manchester Society of Architects, I get the opportunity to organise and get involved with events which are outside my day to day role as an architect. It is an opportunity to meet, socialise and learn. And to contribute to the society’s ethos:
‘to champion and nurture the current and future architects of Manchester’.
- What is your favourite Manchester Building?
I am interested in urban design and I believe that Manchester has very strong walking links, public spaces and active streets. In particular, I really like the central library walk. It is a very sensitive and subtle intervention which accentuates the character of the neighbouring listed buildings.
- What advice would you give a young person wanting a career in architecture?
Architecture is a very rewarding and challenging career. The skills you will acquire are extremely versatile, that can be applied to any field. Architecture is so vast that I would tell young architects to follow their passions and interested within subject. And most of all, talk to people, make friends and enjoy the journey!
- What do you do in your spare time?
Painting and drawing fills up most of my spare time. My artwork can be found on my Instagram: @shadath_Chowdhury.
Aside from painting and drawing, I believe that staying active or going outdoors is important and love a challenging hike. In terms of sports, I mostly play racket sports as my steady hands translate well to sports like tennis, table tennis and badminton.
- In your opinion – energy and sustainability aside, what is likely to be the biggest game changer in our built environment in the next 50 years?
The two biggest changes are:
1 – Growing city and aging population
Cities and town are growing at a rapid rate and people are on average have a higher life expectancy. This results in a rapid growth to cities and towns. We will need to find ways to accommodate the increased density, find solutions for generational city living and tackle homelessness within cities and towns.
2 – The way we live and work post pandemic
I believe that the way we work and live has completely changed since the pandemic. As more people are starting to work from home, we may see a shift in the desire to live in the city centre and the way that office spaces are used. The increased flexibility and priority on work life balance may result in a more adaptive city.
- What is one thing you believe we should be talking about in architecture that isn’t discussed?
Diversity, wellbeing and education. All of which are topics that the MSA can bring to the table for discussions.