Inhabiting Castlefield
Brief:
Choose a non-human kith to act as a design driver, leading to an architectural response that considers more than just the human user.
Tools Used:
Mapping sight loss, buddleia hotspots, and brownfield sites across England
Inhabiting Castlefield is my final MArch thesis project, developed within the Extinction Rebellion Architecture studio at Birmingham City University.
Inspired by the resilience of the buddleia plant, the project asks a simple question: What if architecture adapted to nature, rather than nature adapting to architecture? Taking over the forgotten spaces beneath Manchester's Grade II listed Castlefield Viaduct, the proposal transforms neglected infrastructure into a community-led centre for learning, creativity and ecological regeneration.
As a visually impaired designer, my own experiences of navigating cities informed the project's emphasis on sensory-inclusive architecture. Natural materials, tactile wayfinding, planting, controlled daylight and integrated environmental systems work together to create spaces that support people with diverse sensory needs while strengthening local biodiversity.
The proposal explores regenerative architecture beyond environmental performance alone, considering social inclusion, accessibility and multi-species coexistence as equally important forms of regeneration. Through adaptive reuse, circular material strategies and landscape integration, the project demonstrates how overlooked urban spaces can become thriving ecosystems for both people and nature.