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Activity:
Takes place with a fixed time and schedule
Restricted Content
4th August
to 8th August
You will earn 150 gold points for completing this activity.
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MSA Students, RUFA, UNSW, Tropical Urban Workshop - Informal Settlements
In summer 2024, MSA’s Infrastructure Space Atelier joined RUFA and UNSW for a workshop in Phnom Penh. RUFA students engaged virtually with global speakers and tutors. Building on its success, the 2025 Tropical Urban Workshop (4–8 Aug) will explore informal settlements both virtually and in person at RUFA, MSA, and UNSW.
In summer 2024, the Infrastructure Space Atelier at the Manchester School of Architecture (MSA) collaborated in Phnom Penh on a successful workshop with the Royal University of Fine Arts (RUFA), Cambodia, and the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Australia. During the five-day workshop, RUFA students had the opportunity to engage with a wide range of international speakers and participate in studio sessions with tutors from MSA, RUFA, and UNSW. The focus was on tropical and urban infrastructures, encouraging collaborative exploration of complex, context-specific challenges. This experience provided students with a broad perspective and gave staff the chance to reflect on cultural and geographical differences in addressing key topics such as climate change and sustainable urban development. Throughout the week-long summer school, staff from MSA and RUFA also discussed shared interests and potential future collaborations.
Building on the success of the 2024 Tropical Urban Infrastructures workshop, a new summer school event is planned for August 2025. This expanded format will be hosted simultaneously in two physical locations—Manchester (MSA) and Phnom Penh (RUFA)—from 4–8 August. (UNSW is expected to participate virtually.) The theme of the 2025 Tropical Urban Workshop is Informal Settlements. Over the course of the week, thirteen diverse speakers from RUFA, MSA, and UNSW will deliver plenary lectures across borders to two student cohorts based in Cambodia and Manchester. Students will work on a shared design brief, tackling the same project in their respective locations, supported by international tutors.
Daily progress updates and peer feedback will be shared via MIRO, an online collaborative workspace. At the end of the week, students will present their completed schemes both locally and internationally. The lectures on informal settlements will inform and inspire the project work, equipping students with insights and skills for future research and practice in designing meaningful architecture.
This workshop will generate several key outcomes. First, it will produce a diverse array of student projects from two different parts of the world, enabling comparative studies and research into pedagogical approaches, skill development, and student experience. Second, it will strengthen collaborative academic relationships between institutions and open up new, mutually beneficial educational pathways. Third, it will lay the groundwork for potential staff and student exchanges in 2026, as well as opportunities for future postgraduate study. Finally, plans will be developed to embed the Tropical Urban Workshop as an annual event, ensuring its long-term sustainability.
Associated Badges:
In A Nutshell...
- Global Collaboration... Work with peers and tutors from Cambodia, the UK, and Australia. Explore design solutions through complex, context-specific challenges.
- Real-World Projects... Tackle global urban issues—such as informal settlements—from diverse cultural and geographic perspectives.
- Research Skills... Develop your research abilities through lectures, tutorials, and collaborative design work.
- Global Design Proficiency... Strengthen your design and communication skills in both local and international contexts.
- Lasting Network... Join a global architecture education community that enhances employability and fosters shared global interests.
- Earn up to 150 Rise points ... which can be recognised within your degree.
Schedule
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08:00 to 09:00 on 04/08/25 - Takes place online
Welcome to RUFA & MSA: Tropical Urban Workshop – Informal Settlements Dr Paul Robinson, Dean Kong Kosal, and Professor Kevin Singh - Welcome session with opening remarks and presentations from Khmer students. -
09:00 to 10:00 on 04/08/25 - Takes place online
Informal Settlements – Urban Cambodia Dean Kong Kosal - An overview of the Cambodian urban context and the workshop site -
10:00 to 11:00 on 04/08/25 - Takes place online
Informal Settlements – Landscapes Dawn Parke - A landscape architect’s perspective on the Manchester site. -
11:00 to 13:00 on 04/08/25 - Takes place online
Introduction to Ethics, Project Briefs & Initial Tutorials Siobhan Barry and Tutors - Discussion on ethical design and research, followed by project brief introductions and tutorials -
14:00 to 17:00 on 04/08/25
Site Visit (initial work posted on MIRO) You will visit the site with staff and upload your initial observations to MIRO -
08:00 to 10:00 on 05/08/25 - Takes place online
Workshop Update and Research Methods talks Dr Paul Robinson will update everyone on the progress of the workshop, before Lokkru Piseth and Dr Lisa Kinch will introduce research methods. -
10:00 to 11:00 on 05/08/25 - MTC
Site Analysis Workshop Mini workshop on site analysis -
11:00 to 13:00 on 05/08/25 - MTC
Project Tutorials Tutors will circulate to review and support student work. -
14:00 to 17:00 on 05/08/25 - MTC
Self-Direct Project work (inc post to MIRO) Independent work time with tutor support. Upload progress to MIRO. -
08:00 to 10:00 on 06/08/25 - Takes place online
Workshop Update and Sustainability and Mapping talks Dr Paul Robinson, Chhay Karno, and Dr Richard Morton - Updates and lectures on sustainability and mapping as a design tool. -
10:00 to 11:00 on 06/08/25 - MTC
Design Development Workshop Mini workshop on Design development -
11:00 to 13:00 on 06/08/25 - MTC
Project Tutorials Continued tutor support and feedback. -
14:00 to 17:00 on 06/08/25 - MTC
Self-Direct Project work (inc post to MIRO) Independent work time with tutor support. Upload progress to MIRO. -
08:00 to 10:00 on 07/08/25 - Takes place online
Workshop Update and Practice Talks Dr Paul Robinson, Martin Aerne, and Sam Higgins - Updates followed by talks on architectural practice. -
10:00 to 11:00 on 07/08/25 - MTC
Architectural Proposal Workshop Mini workshop on architectural proposal -
11:00 to 13:00 on 07/08/25 - MTC
Project Tutorials Tutors provide feedback and guidance -
14:00 to 17:00 on 07/08/25 - MTC
Self-Direct Project work (inc post to MIRO) Independent work time with tutor support. Upload progress to MIRO. -
08:00 to 09:00 on 08/08/25 - Takes place online
Workshop update followed by RUFA students presenting their projects to MSA. Dr Paul Robinson will update everyone on progress of the workshop, before RUFA students present their work to MSA students. -
09:00 to 10:00 on 08/08/25 - Takes place online
Workshop update followed by MSA students presenting their projects to RUFA Dr Richard Morton will update everyone on progress of the workshop, before MSA students present their work to RUFA students. -
10:00 to 13:00 on 08/08/25 - MTC
Closing remarks as well as MSA Student Exhibition & Submission Dean Kong Kosal and Professor Kevin Singh - Final reflections, student pin-up, and feedback session. -
14:00 to 15:00 on 08/08/25 - MTC
MSA Awards & Final Statements