SEED: James Donegan

We’ve been working with RIBA North West and its Members since the summer to design a temporary architectural structure for our next exhibition. We’re excited to say that the prestigious judging panel selected James Donegan’s SEED to transform our central exhibition space in the centre of our iconic former fishmarket building.

The winner was chosen after a rigorous judging process, with prestigious judges Charlotte Myhrum, Places Matter Design Review Manager, John Bridge, Chair of RIBA NW Communications Committee, Tom Jeffries, Manchester School of Architecture and Kaylee Jenkinson, Exhibitions & Events Officer at MCDC. The public were also invited to vote for their favourite of the 26 entries.

SEED has been designed by James Donegan, a student at Manchester School of Architecture. James’ elegant, contemporary design is inspired by the mathematical patterns found in nature. SEED strains up towards the light of MCDC’s glass roof as a budding flower would, responding to the change of seasons which will take place during the period of the exhibition.

The plywood structure will be designed and constructed using digital production methods by our partner, Fab Lab Manchester. This is a first for an installation of this size at MCDC. The judges were particularly impressed with the way SEED responded to the brief, considering quality, innovation and aesthetics alongside the constraints of the space. 

James told us: “I was delighted to find out I’d won the competition – not only because the standard of the other entries was so high but because you spend a lot of time in architecture school working on proposals that will never be built. To have one of your own designs fully realised is a great feeling and I can’t wait to get started.”

The exhibition runs until Saturday 9th May 2015.