My 450 Word Statement

The reason I want to study architecture at the Manchester is because i researched the university, saw what they had to offer as well as what former students had said and decided that it was the best place for me. The university is high ranking in the field of architecture and the subjects the course covers are ones I would like to study. The location is also convenient with it being just under an hour away from me. In terms of facilities, from what I’ve heard from people I know, the university has great IT facilities and a great library with a wide variety of books available. Extra curricula activities such as the clubs cover a wide variety of interests so that area is also well covered.

I recently visited the Cathedral Church of St Peter and St Paul (Sheffield Cathedral). Being catholic myself I have been to quite a few churches in Sheffield (as well as a few in Zambia). When you visit the amount of churches I have you start to notice that they all basically have the same internal layout with 4 blocks of seats (all with kneelers) and the alter at the front of the church in the centre (with seats for the choir and other clergymen at either side). This being mainly because they all generally serve the same purpose so it makes sense that they are all similar.

Although there are a lot more impressive buildings out there my favourite would have to be the Sydney opera house. The design of that building is simple yet complex and that’s why I love it. When I first saw pictures of it when I was younger I never noticed that there were glazed ceramic tiles because of the quality of the images but when I noticed them they made the structure look even more impressive to me. Looking at the thing always gets me thinking because I just can’t fathom how it’s functional on top of its artistic merits.

One building I would like to see in person would be the Beijing National Stadium, mainly because I would love to just walk around it and sketch it all the way around and stick the images together on my wall. Sketching something that initially looks complex helps me understand the way it’s designed better because as you sketch it you can see what might have gone through the mind of the designer. When you then enter the building itself and stop admiring the exterior you see just how big the structure is and how small you are compared to it. The design is great because it’s functional and artistic which is something that is to be admired.