I am applying to study at the Manchester School of Architecture as the course contains key areas of personal interest; environmental architecture and studio design. Furthermore, its high employment record instils confidence within me, as the university and its course are well recognised by architectural professionals. Being highly ranked and with combined resources from two universities I will have the best foundations to learn and develop myself in Architecture. I believe with depleting current natural resources and dramatic climate change, the next decades will provide great challenges. Architectural designs are being pushed to their limits with innovative, aesthetically eco friendly and practical environments. I want to be part of these exciting developments and this course will provide me with the necessary groundwork to develop a fascinating career in architecture.
Having recently visited Windsor Castle, I was able to admire the medieval castle which is notable for its association with the British royal family and its architecture. Whilst touring the Castle I took many photographs, capturing its beauty. Built from Georgian and Victorian design, the castle stands elegantly with gothic features reinvented in a modern style following refurbishment. I was particularly impressed by the interior of St. George’s Hall. Sunlight pours through the large windows illuminating the spacious Hall and displaying the detailed decor.
A building which has predominantly inspired me is the Willis Faber and Dumas Headquarters in Ipswich, designed by Norman Foster. At the time of completion, the Headquarters challenged the typical views of an ordinary office in almost every way possible. It is irregularly shaped when most offices were square and it had built in escalators when most offices would make do with stairs. My favourite aspect of this building is the bronzed glass enclosing it. Opaque during the day and transparent through the night, this feature is an inventive way of maintaining a sense of security and privacy. The large open floors, rooftop garden and Olympic sized swimming pool for staff all added to the success of the Headquarters as it became the conventional wisdom of office design. I believe for this reason, the building demonstrates the importance of the social aspects of architecture.
I would like to visit the Wuxi Grand Theatre in Eastern China designed by PES-Architects. Its 50 metre high roof wings give the structure a sort of elegance which can be compared to a butterfly. The building itself is constructed from lavish materials to a high quality craftsmanship finish. The excessive use of bamboo is a strong feature within the theatre as it is both a traditional and modern Chinese material. The building itself is seen as a large sculpture, emphasising how art can lead to the creation of our surroundings.
