A Changing Future by Elizabeth

A Changing Future by Elizabeth - September 2018 Scholarship Essay

Running to catch the only train back to Vancouver, I boarded with seconds to spare as it began to pull away from the platform. Exhausted and out of breath, I collapsed into my seat and watched the shiny city of glass unfold before my eyes. For me, architecture began as an experience. I was curious about the world, with my face pressed against the glass of the window not wanting to miss a single detail. My first time out of the country inspired my passion for architecture. Every characteristic of a place is unique to its history, typologies, and culture and there was something intriguing about the unique architecture that unfolded from these aspects. I had always been a visual thinker, and in this moment I know that I was going to take the lifelong commitment of studying design and architecture. I began internship opportunities, looking for new places to visit, books to read, people to talk to, all to better understand successful design. Architecture isn't simply a memorized topic or math problem, it's a series of questions, and the answer is ever changing. Years from now architecture will vary from what it is today but one thing will remain the same and that is architecture is for people. As I am continually seeking new opportunities to understand good design, both visual and practical, I am most intrigued by the concepts and elements of architecture as a condition of space for people. The field provides many limitless possibilities for creative and professional opportunities some of which I have already begun to experience. Everything around me has something to offer in the visual and structural space it compels. Architecture has allowed me to explore and expand my own ideas in the creative world as I seek out opportunities to visit new places and engage in new cultures. I am studying architecture to expand my knowledge on the formal aspects of design and structure and develop my creative self. I also look forward to continue working in a profession with people and teachers that are equally passionate and share similar creativities. 25 years from now architecture will continue to grow, and I see myself focusing on how to make our planet more sustainable for our quickly growing population. I also see myself continually focused on allowing for more culturally inclusive boundaries in design, as this was what originally inspired my passion for architecture. What can we learn from other cultures? How can we change our habits to benefit ourselves and others? These questions are all related to the places that we experience, both in habituating and in passing through and I hope years from now I can use my own learning processes of travel and new experiences to look for those new answers.

I have applied for this scholarship to assist in the financial need that is required of me as an architecture student. I want to continue to encourage people of all backgrounds and previous skill levels to pursue this path as a group of creative individuals. My passion is to contribute my own ideas to the built environments of the world, today, tomorrow, and in the future as a professional architect.