About The MSA

The Manchester Society of Architects (MSA) was formed in 1865, it was affiliated to become a branch of the RIBA in 1891, and has a membership numbering approximately 800. The Society is the largest in the North West region of the RIBA and our members comprise approximately 45% of the entire region’s total.

The illustrious history of the MSA charts Manchester's rise to prominence from 'Cottonopolis' into a pioneering European City. Past Presidents have included many prestigious Manchester architects. For over 140 years through the generations, these architects have shaped the City of Manchester as we know it today.

The MSA represents and supports the architects and the architectural students of Manchester and promotes their work. We are supported by our chapters, Stockport Tameside and Macclesfield and Wigan Bolton and Bury. Manchester Young Practitioners in Architecture are also affiliated with the MSA.

The MSA organizes architectural events, lectures, travel scholarships and bursaries to students and organizes the annual MSA design awards which showcases the talents of Mancunian architects and architectural students.

The Manchester Society of Architects Library is an outstanding historical resource which can be viewed by appointment as part of the MMU Special Collections.

In October 2006 The MSA were pleased to announce the historic amalgamation of the MSA (Manchester Society of Architects) and the MSA (Manchester School of Architecture) to form a new and closer partnership between the architectural practices and the school.... "MSA²". 

In 2009 the Manchester Society of Architects established the Manchester Architecture and Design Festival (MADF) in collaboration with Manchester School of Architecture, RIBA NorthWest, CUBE, MSSA and EASA2010

Please refer to the MSA Practice Directory for listings of RIBA registered practices in the MSA region.