MSA is a branch of the Royal Institute of British Architects with a membership numbering approximately 800. It represents Architects in and around Manchester via the society itself and its two chapters; Stockport, Tameside and Macclesfield Society of Architects and Wigan, Bolton and Bury Chapter.The society is the largest in the North West region of the RIBA. Our members comprise approximately 45% of the entire membership of the region's total. For a current list of Architects in the region please refer to the MSA Practice Directory.
The MSA is a voluntary organisation that relies on the enthusiasm of its members to help promote architecture and design throughout the North West through lectures, events and to encourage social and networking opportunities within Manchester’s architectural community. If you are interested in joining the MSA, please do not hesitate to contact the current president for further information.
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. It 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.