Why Architecture at MSA?
Having spent two years studying Civil Engineering at the University of Manchester, I
have grown to appreciate its student offering and the city itself, particularly
its architectural heritage and how its industrial past has shaped the urban
landscape, which still has relevance today.
Manchester’s 18th and 19th century ‘built
for purpose’ canals, warehouses, stations, and civic buildings are still in use.
For me, the way the city has integrated and adapted these industrial landmarks
to 21st century needs to give them a lasting relevance is a mark of
great and enduring architecture.
My experiences of MSA, the talks given at the student
society, the University’s considerable resources, and in particular its
industry connections giving students access to an invaluable learning
experience, are key reasons for wanting to study architecture here.
My review of a building recently visited
Alfred Waterhouse’s Natural History Museum is one of London’s
most magnificent educational buildings. Its combination of Victorian,
Romanesque and Revival styles gives it a magical, almost mythological presence
heightened by the exquisite and intricate use of design detailing. This architectural
celebration of botany and zoology, inspired by the museum’s collections, makes
it a building one can return to repeatedly - a mark of the success of its
original purpose. The cathedral-like quality of its entrance hall makes you
stop in awe and announces the importance of what lies within.
Statement about my favourite architect
Geoffrey Bawa, my favourite architect, is one of the most
influential Asian architects of the 20st century. His work defined
‘tropical modernism’ and spanned domestic, public, educational, and industrial
buildings. Bawa produced ‘sustainable architecture’ long before the term was
coined, using vernacular styles characterised by sensitivity to site and
context. Bawa’s merging of interior and exterior spaces, where the architecture
is almost subsumed by the landscape, is a reflection of the cultural and
geographical diversity that represents Sri Lanka. His buildings frame and
invite their surroundings so that they become a series of scenic spaces shaped by
courtyards and gardens.
Work of architecture you would like to experience in person
Although this is a project I have had the opportunity to
contribute to as part of my work experience, it is not yet complete. It is the redevelopment of Grade II listed
barn, dating from 1635, into a new Montessori School. I have learned a great deal about the barn’s
restoration, which features all of its original frame and timberwork, and how
it is being sensitively adapted for a new use without losing its original
character. I am eager to see the results of its return to community use in a
way that respects its historic importance.
Stone Monuments
The Chimes of Big Ben
L'arc de Triomphe
Steel Structures
A View from Westminster Bridge
La Tour Eiffel
Great Cathedrals
St Paul's Cathedral - Southern Dome and Transept
Notre Dame de Paris
Museums
Natural History Museum - Entrance Hall Interior
Musée du Louvre
Shopping in Style
Oxford Street
Champs-Élysées
Landscapes
Original Photo Edited Photo
A photograph I took, edited and painted
Wonders of the Lake District
My Starry Night - Van Gogh Interpretation
