What moved me to apply to the
MSA, along with the fact that it is rated as one of the best universities in
the UK, guaranteeing an experienced faculty, were the resources provided.
The workshops really interested me; being able to work with every kind
of material really appeals to me as much as being able to seek information in a
well equipped library. Furthermore, keen on photography as I am, I appreciate using facilities and borrowing equipment for that purpose.
I recently visited the museum of
Modern Art in Thessaloniki where there was an exhibition about the architecture
in Thessaloniki from 1912 to 2012. It was really interesting seeing how the
styles and characteristics of buildings changed throughout the years and how
the city was rebuilt after the big fire of 1917 which burnt down half of it. Particularly
appealing was the fact that I came
across old sketches of building to be built by Ernest Hebrard and his team during
the 1920s as well as finding out how art deco started becoming popular in the
1930s, when geometrical shapes started to emerge in the city’s architecture
including inflexible cubic modernisms and colours. Then I went on to explore
the 50s when residential blocks were firstly introduced to sustain the rising
population of Thessaloniki and how afterwards in the 80s postmodern
architecture was finally at our doorstep.
As one of my favourite architect
I would have to choose Zaha Hadid who has earned many awards and recognition. I really admire her work as she does not
conform and settle for a conventional structure but likes to play with curves
and form buildings that present symmetry but are abstract at the same time. Some of the work that really inspired
me is the Zaragoza bridge pavilion, shaped to fit the topographical and
natural surroundings with a futuristic approach and a clever use of passage and of space for exhibitions as well. The exterior is really interesting as it changes
perspective in a gradual way. Also, the Evelyn Grace academy for which she won
the Stirling prize that has both strict lines but also curves that ease the eye
and the CMA CGM headquarters that are really inspiring in the way that it gives
out the feeling that it rises to the sky because of the curves on it’s base.
Finally, by becoming a member of
the MSA I would like to experience teamwork and experiment with materials and shapes,
explore my creativity and imagination but also learn about sustainability and
how renewable energy sources can be used in design and construction. I
would also find interesting putting everything I will have learnt into action
and being taught more about architecture in practice.
