Why I would like to Study at MSA and more,

The work I have seen, produced by MSA graduates, is exciting, and creative. Manchester is an ideal choice because I enjoy living and working in the city environment, and Manchester is a dynamic city where culture flourishes. Due to government initiatives devolving more powers and funds to regional cites, I have noticed that Manchester has become more popular for emerging businesses, shown by the opening of Home. Also, many architects’ practices are opening new branches in Manchester. I would like to study here in order to be involved in the exciting evolution of Manchester. I am particularly impressed by the beautifully and newly designed Chatham and Benzie Buildings.

I recently visited Ai Wei Wei’s exhibition at the RA. This exhibition was extremely popular, due to the controversy of Ai Wei Wei’s conflict with the authorities in China. Ai Wei Wei’s art takes on a political agenda, and he uses culture to attempt to crack the façade of the ‘outdated’ regime that exists in China. His installations are the culmination of his political activity. The art resides not only in the physical model, but in the explanatory writing and videos around the gallery. The demolition of Ai's government-commissioned arts centre was one of the most saddening things in the art gallery. This beautifully designed building did not comply with Chinese regulation and was knocked down as soon as it was built. As a result of his protests, Ai was put under house arrest. It demonstrated how dedicated artists have to be to realise their projects.

Denys Lasdun is my favourite architect, as I find the National Theatre the most beautiful building in London. The public space around the theatre, and interiors were renovated by Haworth Tompkins Architects. The 1970s cast concrete has been cleaned to allow the crisp lines in Lasdun’s design look even more sensual and elegant. The hanging lights in the front windows make the building look like a church to culture. On walking up the concrete maze of steps and balconies, it was amazing to emerge to find a serene garden on a high platform of the building. 

I would like to experience Habitat 67 in Montreal, Canada, in order to have a greater understanding of Moshe Safdie’s ‘failed dream’ of interdependent living. 354 housing cubicles are stacked on top of each other in a bizarre sequence, overlooking a bay. The experimental design is very refreshing amidst a lot of current yet, conservative architecture. Socially, it would be interesting to experience the ‘communal’ living. Habitat 67 seems like a desirable housing model that could work and be replicated around the world, yet it would be fascinating to fully understand the reason for its ‘failure’.