Revitalising South Manchester through EnerPHit Innovation
Manchester’s vibrant architectural landscape is constantly evolving, driven by a fresh wave of designers who combine academic rigour with professional savvy. Among these promising individuals is recent MArch graduate Pragnya, whose forward-thinking research on retrofitting South Manchester’s housing stock has garnered recognition and praise. Building on her studies at the Manchester School of Architecture (MSA), Pragnya’s thesis, “Retrofitted South Manchester,” sets forth a bold proposal to upgrade the region’s ageing residences to EnerPHit standards. As her vision underscores the extraordinary potential of community-driven, low-carbon living, Pragnya is quickly making her mark as one to watch in sustainable design.
A Trailblazer in Research and Practice
Before arriving in Manchester, Pragnya completed her undergraduate studies in India, where she absorbed the principles of large-scale residential design and office interiors. Working as a Junior Architect at leading firms allowed her to collaborate on feasibility studies, concept development, and client presentations, laying a foundational skill set that she would refine in her master’s programme. Moving to the UK for her MArch at MSA expanded her horizons further, providing her with new research methodologies and fresh perspectives on urban design.
Her academic journey took on an even deeper dimension as she served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant, guiding younger students in the basics of architectural theory and studio practice. She also played a key role in setting up the BA End of Year Exhibition and supporting first-year studio leadership, demonstrating not only a strong work ethic but also a flair for organisation and mentoring. These collaborative experiences, combined with her research-backed design ethos, positioned Pragnya as one of MSA’s most versatile graduates.
Focusing on Longevity: The Fabric-First Approach
Central to Pragnya’s thesis is the concept of a “fabric-first” design strategy—a method that prioritises the building envelope to optimise indoor comfort and minimise reliance on traditional heating systems. By putting robust insulation, airtightness, and effective thermal bridging solutions centre stage, her proposals achieve a higher level of energy efficiency without compromising aesthetic quality. Rather than overloading buildings with new technologies, her approach supports the Passive House mindset: get the structure right first, and let the design naturally reduce fuel consumption.
One of the key technical elements in her scheme is the use of triple-glazed windows that regulate interior temperatures, lowering heat loss in winter and preventing overheating in summer. Pragnya pairs these installations with mechanical ventilation systems equipped with heat recovery to promote fresh airflow while minimising energy wastage. Alongside these measures, the specific adoption of high-performance insulation forms a critical element: by reinforcing walls, roofs, and floors, her prototypes reduce thermal bridging and counteract heat leakage.
Scaling Up: A Community-Driven Response
While many retrofit projects focus on a single building, Pragnya’s thesis challenges designers to think larger. The blueprint she developed at MSA is fully scalable, targeting entire urban neighbourhoods in South Manchester. By setting out a replicable model that can be adapted to various building typologies, her approach encourages local authorities, architects, and homeowners to collaborate on mass retrofit programmes. In this collective framework, the cost of materials, expertise, and labour can be shared across multiple households, making eco-upgrades more affordable for everyone.
Another hallmark of her project is its endorsement of “inclusive” design, integrating not just human requirements but also the natural world that resides alongside us. From bird-friendly façade features to pollinator-supporting green roofs and walls, Pragnya’s scheme offers moments of reconnection to nature within dense urban environments—an element that stands out in an era when biodiversity loss has become a pressing global concern.
Recognition and Impact
Pragnya’s forward-thinking perspective has not gone unnoticed. Her MArch2 thesis model, developed in partnership with SKN, was recently featured by Revalu as part of “The Material Platform of Tomorrow,” under the title “Scaling Up Retrofit: A Fabric-First Approach for Community Housing.” This endorsement highlights her emphasis on both material innovation and end-user wellbeing. Pairing standard construction methods with less conventional biomaterials, her project demonstrates how existing housing stock can be rehabilitated to meet elevated environmental standards without alienating residents or governments concerned about cost overruns.
To further amplify this research, she plans to publish her findings in upcoming academic journals, thereby contributing to the broader discourse on sustainability, climate change, and the future of architecture. Her work supports the case for government-backed incentivisation programmes that can help local communities invest in expansive retrofit initiatives, shaping South Manchester—and beyond—into manifestations of low-carbon resiliency.
A Bridge between Academia and Practice
Beyond the pages of her thesis, Pragnya’s journey underscores the value of a concurrent academic and professional track. Thanks to her experience as a Junior Architect in India and a Graduate Teaching Assistant at MSA, she understands architectural design’s commercial realities while never losing sight of the research that drives progress. As an active collaborator in the Research Methods Workshop, she engaged with CPU-Ai atelier students using data-driven approaches to optimising living spaces, mirroring the transformative potential of technology in architecture.
Her passion for particular concepts—like inclusive design, biodiversity enhancement, and occupant wellbeing—feeds seamlessly into current industry trends, such as environmental, social, and governance (ESG) benchmarking. At a time when building performance is under the microscope, and sustainable credentials are more than a marketing tool, her proven skill set stands at the intersection of beauty and functionality.
How to Connect
Pragnya’s work promises to remain on the leading edge of sustainable architectural discourse, particularly for firms that want to achieve the UK’s 2050 sustainability goals through large-scale, community-focused interventions. As she seeks a Part II Architectural Assistant role in the UK, her enthusiasm for socially responsive design is a welcome asset for teams determined to place equity, wellbeing, and biodiversity at the heart of their practice.
For those interested in learning more about Pragnya’s thesis or exploring collaborative opportunities, you can find her on LinkedIn or reach out to her via email at pragnyathakur14@gmail.com. Her insight into high-performance retrofit solutions, coupled with an unwavering commitment to social and environmental betterment, marks her as an emerging voice in architecture—one who is poised to shape tomorrow’s built environments.
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