MA Architecture and Adaptive Reuse

Open days are run by Manchester Metropolitan University.

For information on how to apply, visit the MSA website

MA Architecture and Adaptive Reuse is a course about existing buildings, situations, and places, and how over time these structures and locations can be encouraged to evolve, sustain new uses and accommodate new users.

Throughout this course, you will investigate strategies for adaptive reuse - strategies that are not applied as a reaction to current conditions, but in anticipation of future changes. 

Adaptation is now at the forefront of architectural practice; two of the most pressing challenges in the 21st century are climate change and urbanisation.

Given that already more than half of the global population live in urban environments, and by 2050 it is projected that more than 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. 

During the course, you will investigate the four main aspects to sustainable reuse - environmental, societal, inhabitation and economical, while also exploring heritage, history, memory, community and the influence these factors have on remodelling activities.

You will explore the impact that context and the environment have upon projects, while developing an understanding of some of the technical issues including construction, environmental control, and materials in order to make creative and appropriate proposals for new users of buildings.

Furthermore, you will also examine specific examples of adaptive reuse and theories of reuse and explore strategies for the conservation and adaptation of the existing environment.

For more information visit the Manchester School of Architecture website .

Join the Manchester Student Society of Architecture (MSSA), the largest of its kind in the UK.

Important notice: factors affecting fieldwork and placements

The School of Environment, Education and Development (SEED) recognises the value of fieldwork and placements. However, the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff remains our priority.

The School will assess on a regular basis the viability of any travel and fieldwork and communicate any significant changes to our students at the earliest possible opportunity.

The role of SEED

• changes to the rules and guidance on travel and activities implemented and published by the UK and overseas governments;
• a risk assessment conducted by or on behalf of the University identifying unmanageable risk;
• changes that enhance the educational value and student experience of the activity;
• changes to the situation of a placement provider (for example, which cause them to be unable to accept students);
• the unavailability of appropriate insurance cover;
• the unavailability of appropriate travel and accommodation and any significant changes to their financial costs;
• where fieldwork and placements are a compulsory element of the Programme, they will be replaced with something academically similar;
• where a trip or placement is not a compulsory element of the Programme, it may not be replaced.

We will consult with affected students at the earliest possible opportunity and explore the options available to them.

The duty of students

Preparation, attendance and conduct

Attendance at preparatory classes is a compulsory pre-requisite of the fieldwork and placements to ensure safety and learning outcomes are met.

Students who do not attend the compulsory preparatory classes may be prevented from participating in the fieldwork or placement. It is the duty of students to discuss any attendance issues with the field course or placement convenor.

Students are representatives of the university during their fieldwork or placement. Behaviour deemed by the convenor to be unacceptable may result in students being sent home.

Where a student is unable to attend or complete the fieldwork or placement (e.g. due to mitigating circumstances), is prevented from attending due to absence from compulsory preparatory classes, or returned home due to poor conduct:

• a suitable alternative assessment will be offered (as appropriate) to ensure that the programme ILOs are met, and that the student is not academically disadvantaged;
• the University accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred by the student in relation to the fieldwork or placement.

Immigration, passport and visa requirements

It is the responsibility of the individual student to ensure they have:

• a valid passport to enter the destination country (including sufficient months prior to expiry);
• a valid visa (where required) and comply with its requirements.

The School cannot guarantee that visas required for fieldwork or a placement will be granted by the relevant authority. Please note that countries may change their immigration and visa regulations at short notice.

Where a student is unable to attend fieldwork or a placement because they do not have the required visa or passport:

• a suitable alternative assessment will be offered to ensure that the programme ILOs are met and that the student is not academically disadvantaged;
• the University accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred by the student in relation to the fieldwork or placement.

The Manchester School of Architecture studios are in the Manchester Metropolitan University's School of Art building - the Benzie Building.

The specialist workshops within Manchester School of Art and The University of Manchester will provide you with opportunities to explore materiality, fabrication, and the realisation of ideas.

Studio teaching is research-informed and underpinned by design research methodologies and engagement with industry.

Our studios are equipped with PC workstations with industry standard computer-aided design, visualisation, image editing, and print and web design software. They also have standard and large format printing facilities and Wi-Fi. In addition, you will have access to specialist Apple Mac-based video editing, scanning and digital design resources.

There are workshops for model-making and construction projects in both the Benzie and The University of Manchester's Humanities Bridgeford Street buildings.

We house an impressive range of fully equipped workshops for wood, plastics, foam, metal, ceramics, glass, computer-aided manufacture, textiles, printmaking, and bookbinding.

You will be able to purchase art materials and consumables at cost prices from the Manchester School of Art's material stores. You can also borrow video and photography equipment from the AV store, and access photography studios, film processing and video editing facilities.

Manchester Metropolitan University has a nationally recognised art and design collection, and specialist collections include the Manchester Society of Architects' Library, which holds important and rare books on the history of architecture.

The Visual Resources Centre covers a broad spectrum of subjects, including architecture, art and design, film, popular media and social history. 

For more information visit our facilities webpage.

Manchester School of Architecture (MSA) graduates are highly valued for their confidence and creativity, and benefit from our strong links with national and international architectural practices.

They have gone on to successful careers in areas including:

• architecture;
• project management;
• urban design;
• advertising;
• real estate;
• art and design;
• web design;
• art history;
• estate management;
• banking.

Top employers include Aedas, AR Architecture, Atkins, BDP, BroadwayMalyan, Foster + Partners, HawkinsBrown, and Sheppard Robson.

For more information visit our careers and employability page.

The University has its own dedicated Careers Service  that you will have full access to as a student and for two years after you graduate. At Manchester you will have access to a number of opportunities to help boost your employability .