Manchester School of Architecture Portfolio - 1855756001

Statement

My reasons for wanting to study at the Manchester School of Architecture (MSA):

I am excited by the multidisciplinary course and wide range of expertise, resources and facilities that would provide me with an internationally renowned education at the MSA. Furthermore, the prospect of studying in a city with rich architectural roots and a vibrant socio-cultural landscape of student communities inspired me to apply. The global perspectives and insights provided by being a part of the MSSA would also be especially valuable to me. I believe that studying at the MSA would not only provide me with essential skills and knowledge, but also enhance my understanding of the contexts in which architecture resides to greatly benefit me in my goals of becoming an architect.

My review of a recent building I have visited:

I recently visited the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Auckland, observing its culmination of Catholic tradition with local Maori culture through New Zealand architect Richard Toy’s contemporary design of the nave. The towering stained glass and concrete facade pay homage to the neo-gothic foundations of the chapel, while the downward sloping timber roof forms reflect the structure of a Maori marae. The marae is extremely significant to indigenous Maori communities in New Zealand as a place of belonging and community. Toy’s design recognises the historical significance of both places of spiritual gathering to appreciate and pay respect to the multicultural background of New Zealanders.

A statement about my favourite architect:

The physical and societal barriers Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid broke attest to the boundless nature of creativity within architecture, making her a great inspiration to me. Her works, such as the Heydar Aliyev Centre and Galaxy Soho, were some of the buildings I was fascinated by during my early interest in architecture. The innovatively fluid and organic forms in her designs not only widened my personal perspective, but have transformed modernism by integrating the beauty of natural landscapes into a functionally rigid style. As the first female recipient of the Pritzker Prize, Hadid’s achievements broke stereotypes and proved that architecture was not limited by gender, helping to give me confidence in pursuing my passion.

A work of architecture I would like to experience in person:

Gaudi’s Casa Batllo in Barcelona is an architectural work that I would like to visit due to its unique interior and exterior, characteristic of the geographically distinct Catalan modernism style. The undulating walls and columns, dragon-scale roof, and interplay of light and colourful glass are imaginative and refreshing in a world where function takes priority over form. As the building has been a marker of Catalan identity, I would enjoy being able to immerse myself in the cultural traditions of Barcelona which are also reflected in its surrounding buildings. I would also like to visit other works by Gaudi, including Sagrada Familia and Park Guell, which have similar styles to Casa Batllo but further exemplify Gaudi's creativity.

Portfolio

metamorphosis - Spatial Visualisation Project

For a butterfly, metamorphosis is its transformation from an immature form to an adult form, allowing it to fully take flight. However, metamorphosis can also defined as “a change in the form or nature of a thing or person into a completely different one”. This project explores the complex and almost grotesque path to change experienced by people and animals alike through portraying an insect synonymous with beauty.

I. Paper and polymer clay concepts

II. Render visualisation

As part of my ideation process, I used modelling clay and coloured paper to capture varying forms of the butterfly as it undergoes metamorphosis, especially eclosion (the act of emerging from the pupal case) and the shape of the chrysalis. I then developed one of my paper conceptualisations into a more synthesised design incorporating elements from all stages of the butterfly’s life cycle. The fragility and vulnerability of change through metamorphosis is portrayed by the choice of glass materials for the structure.

sonder - Photography Project

In a time where we all lead unendingly busy lives, I have found solace in appreciating how the lives of those before me and around me have affected my own. Capturing a stranger engrossed in thought, or reliving the places of  experiences I value are what I understand to be sonder. Rather than feeling more alone in a large crowd, it is being comforted by the idea of our shared worlds of individuality.

introspection - Oil Painting

Introspection is often regarded as a valuable process of self-improvement and understanding. However, it may also provide skewed perceptions where every aspect of the self is scrutinised. This artwork depicts the pain in finding self-love and the unattainable 'ideal' self held in expectation. 

I carried through the eye, hand and colour elements of my moodboard to form colour-pencil concepts, which I then combined ideas from to form semi-realism developmental and final paintings. The cracked mirrors and outreaching hand represent the idealism's control through overall brighter tones which cast no visible shadow on the self. Pain and love, inseparable in introspection, are symbolised by the colour red and heart motifs; in self-reflection, the heart often strays from the right place.

Sunshade Design - Spatial Project

Initial research, ideation from native mushrooms, sea life and flowers, and development into a final design

In the summer, New Zealand often reaches dangerous levels of UV radiation. With going to the beach being a quintessential part of Kiwi culture, I was inspired to design accessible sunshades at Mission Bay Beach, incorporating elements of New Zealand’s nature into several aspects of the design.

Cuts of Life (画 / 化） - Mixed Media Collage

I was inspired to create this mixed media collage by my connection to my culture and family, including the visual aspects I associate with them. Each element has a special meaning reflected in the form of media I used to portrayed it. For example, the watercolour peonies and colour pencil lily represent my mother and grandmother and the use of red symbolises happiness and luck in Chinese culture. 画 and 化 are homonyms of eachother - to me art and culture are inseperable and reflected in eachother.

Life Drawings - Pencil

After sketching fabrics, I was fascinated by the unique forms they took when folded, crumpled and ruched. This led me to sketch more objects which had been deformed, including a paint tube, drink can, sandwich wrapper and glue tube I used in my design projects.

Additionally, I decided to practice sketching and rendering hands holding objects, doing activities I often do in my daily like such as playing the violin, photography and drawing.

Arcane - a Gaming Cafe by Riot Games - A Level Design and Technology Project

For my A Level Design and Technology project, I decided to design a multipurpose gaming cafe based the works of the company Riot Games. My main goal throughout the project was to create a fully immersive experience where the user feels as though they are eating, playing in and walking through the fictional universes. 

I. Interior and exterior concepts, chosen concept and physical model

II. Architectural Render and final physical model

Through research, concepts, development and modelling, I designed a final proposition based on the critically acclaimed show ‘Arcane’, incorporating thematic elements from the show to make an exterior and interior which would provide a unique experience. I primarily used alcohol markers and colour pencil for the concepts; for the physical models I used MDF and clay as well as laser cutting and 3D printing techniques.