Statement of Interest For me, art is an opportunity to make a statement, it's a chance to impact society. I am drawn to architecture for this reason, as it is a career where art has a function beyond aesthetics; it has the ability to both lead to social change and bring people together.
A trip to Europe when I was younger first sparked my interest in architecture’s role in society. Walking through the Roman Forum and the Palace of Versailles, I not only got a sense of history but a glimpse into the daily lives of previous generations. Architecture also possesses the perfect harmony between STEM and art, allowing me to fuse many of my interests in one career. For my final project in my Honors Chemistry class, I completed a nine page research paper on green buildings which reinforced my ongoing interest in the role of sustainability in architecture as means of combating climate change. Through my research, I was able to dive into present environmental issues and how this field has the potential to reduce many of the contributors to our climate crisis. I was inspired to imagine a world where architecture can be used to protect our planet and provide healthier living conditions for millions. Since then, I have taken part in multiple online architecture classes through the online platform EdX, one of which focused on the ability of architectural design to influence the manner in which people interact, move, and feel in a space. I learned that architecture is an opportunity to create with intention and can impact our daily lives. The course also discussed how revamping old, neglected areas of a city can bring about urban renewal. Most recently, I enrolled in Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s three week Summer Architecture Career Workshop where I completed daily hands-on guided projects, received constructive critique from current Cal Poly professors as well as recent graduates, and compiled a portfolio of my work. Beyond gaining a new understanding of architectural design, I was pushed to problem solve, think outside the box, and approach design in a whole new way. This program revealed to me that architecture is much more than designing buildings, but is actually about understanding the way in which people live and interact. The ability to bring humanity together through architecture is truly what attracts me to this field of study. In my future, I wish to pursue a career that will not only be rewarding personally but in a greater context, impact the world we live in. |