Salford Boy (short film by Tom Letcher)

The Gateway Project This project was part of my second year thesis for my master of Architecture. The Gateway Project is located at the old Adelphi site in Salford which is currently unused but was once a great place to learn. My project is a stepping stone for young people from the Salford community who may have dropped out of education or lost their job / way in life. The scheme and building sets out to give these people a chance at a better life through education and opportunity. As well as the building, I also designed architectural interventions that are scattered across all of Salford which would draw individuals towards the main building. As part of the project, I have written and directed a film - Salford Boy. (this is my first time doing so). The film was not required and has taken me almost a year to produce (with no budget). The aim was to not only show the building but also the story. To help raise awareness that university’s should be doing more to engage with their surrounding communities and entitling every kid with the chance of a higher education. The film follows the story of a young 18 year old Salford boy Craigo (Brendan mountain) who has lost his way in life, shows his daily struggles with chasing money and drugs. It shows how positive architecture (that he seems to keep coming across) forces him to change his motives in becoming a better person through a life of education and opportunity. Please feel free to like, subscribe, share and more importantly spread the message that universities should be doing more to engage with their local communities. Thanks