This week we had a brilliant workplace tour of the B15 model making workshop by Scott Miller and his team. Great to see how our future architects are taught such a wide spectrum of bespoke skills in a wide variety of materials from wood, jesmonite to concrete.
The finished models are breathtaking!
B.15 modelmaking workshop was established in 1970 with the opening of the Architecture and Planning Building, now known as the Humanities Bridgeford Street Building. At the time of it’s opening and throughout the ensuing years the school consisted of 100-150 students. This changed dramatically upon the joint agreement between The University of Manchester and Manchester Metroplitan University to form the Manchester School of Architecture in 1996 which continues to present day.
Today the school has over 1000 students and the workshop continues to offer Modelmaking services and advice across all UG and PG courses on offer. At its heart B.15 is a traditional machine shop that has evolved to accommodate more contemporary equipment such as Laser Cutter, 3D Printers and a CNC machine and craft processes such as moulding and casting. This range of equipment and processes is utilised through staff student consultation that is tailored to each students requirements. The space is supervised by four members of technical staff from a range of backgrounds. They are Scott Miller, Paulina Voang, Lara Gerrard and Angus Riddell. Find out more about their work via B.15 social media @b15workshop and the B.15 Blog page: www.manchester.ac.uk/b15workshop