It's Rochdale, but not as you know it.
Architecture students have unveiled a series of bold new designs for some of the town centre's most historic areas.
From a space age roof over a Metrolink stop, to plans for a new heritage craft centre and proposals to revitalise a much-loved former music hall, if ever built the radical ideas would transform the town.
The students drew up the designs as part of Rochdale's Heritage Action Zone project, which was launched in May 2018.
Rochdale was the only area in the North West to be granted the status, with the £500,000 project set to bring a number of historic buildings around the town centre back into use as either housing or businesses.
The students' designs include plans to revamp Champness Hall, a music venue on Drake Street built in 1925 which played host to gigs by Elvis Costello and Thin Lizzy, the transformation of Fashion Corner - a former department store on Drake Street - and the creation of a 'St Chad's Quarter' around Rochdale's 800-year-old parish church.
They are aimed at sparking debate about Rochdale's future development and will go on display at the town's Central Library from June 25.
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John Lee, senior lecturer at Manchester School of Architecture, said: “This is work that has serious intent, social engagement, technical prowess, stylistic verve, and not a little humour.
"The students take delight in crafting buildings, spaces and components that amplify the past, serve the present, and prefigure the future.
"The outcome is a vision of a renewed Rochdale that takes the best of what is local and loved, and a vision that is, appositely, co-operative."
Laura Sanderson, senior lecturer at the Manchester School of Architecture, said: "It is so important for students who are engaged in architectural education to be exposed to the live context of a site and a situation.
"Working in Rochdale has allowed us to step outside of the normal academic environment and work with real people in a place with a rich heritage, to teach students how to respond to place through research, experimentation and collaboration."
