Please polish the following Statement of Intent:

Statement of Intent
Dear Admissions Committee,

Since childhood, I have been captivated by the world of architecture, largely influenced by my relative who is a renowned architect. Visiting his design institute as a young child, I was enamored by the intricate building models that seemed to create a miniature world, a haven for my imagination. Witnessing his hand-drawn sketches and the countless design drawings on his desk, I was immediately drawn to the joy and fulfillment this profession offers. Walking down the streets, I often encountered structures designed by him, and the pride I felt in sharing this connection with my classmates was unmatched. It was during this period that my strong interest in the art of constructing buildings began to take shape, ultimately leading me to choose architecture as my major in university.

Throughout my architectural studies, I sought guidance from professors, asking for recommended reading lists. However, their response surprised me. They explained that architecture is a highly interdisciplinary field, drawing knowledge from a vast array of subjects. Over time, I have come to appreciate that architecture is a reflection of social development, art, and even religious and cultural influences.

They say that architecture is frozen music. Indeed, architectural styles across history have been influenced by societies and their cultural traditions. For instance, traditional Chinese wooden architecture and ancient European stone masonry architecture directly mirror the distinct social traditions, religious cultures, and aesthetics of their respective regions.

In the modern era, architectural theories have diversified immensely, enriching society and culture from various perspectives. I am particularly drawn to Southeast Asian architectural styles, such as those found in Singapore, which seamlessly blend with the local climate through spatial and green facades, creating microenvironments. Such structures become vital carriers of regional culture. I also hold admiration for Japanese architecture, specifically the works of Tadao Ando and Kazuyo Sejima, whose designs represent contemporary Japanese cultural values through material selection, construction techniques, and spatial treatment. Their influence extends beyond the boundaries of their creations, inspiring individuals and nurturing their creativity and aesthetic sense.

During my visit to Japan in 2019, I had the privilege of experiencing the Chichu Art Museum on Naoshima Island, designed by Tadao Ando for the Monet exhibition. I was captivated by this architectural masterpiece. Stepping inside the museum through a dimly lit corridor and entering the pristine space felt transformative, as if my soul had been cleansed. Monet’s water lilies were seamlessly embedded in the pure white walls, while the intricately paved floor, adorned with square pebbles, contributed to the overall detailed surface. However, it was the ingenious lighting design within the exhibition halls that truly left an indelible impression on me. With the museum situated underground, Ando expertly channeled indirect natural light through skylights and ceilings, creating an ethereal ambience. Visitors sensed the presence of light, yet its origin remained elusive. The gentle illumination cascaded down from the ceiling, gracefully transforming the exhibition walls over time, thereby enhancing the spatial perception and providing a “soft and mysterious” visiting experience.

Architecture is a perfect amalgamation of technology and art. Embracing technological advancements, architects create spaces that possess artistic value, address practical functional needs, and enhance public vitality, and ultimately, become a crucial component of cultural diversity. 

China’s urban development has gone through a period of rapid expansion. However, the “rapid” has resulted in cities becoming increasingly homogeneous, losing their distinctiveness and vitality. When I return from Beijing to my hometown 1200 kilometers away or travel to distant places, I feel that every city is extremely similar. We call it “a thousand cities with the same face”. If it weren’t for the accents of people around me or the different regional cuisines, I would hardly sense any difference between cities. 

As an architect, I have been involved in residential planning and design projects in different regions, including projects in major cities along the southeast coast and small towns in northern China. Through the design process, I have seen and experienced firsthand how the real estate market’s focus on cost efficiency combined with almost identical control conditions (such as planning indicators, sunlight conditions, and form control) among different regions leads to standardized designs that lack diversity. This realization has emphasized the importance of maintaining urban diversity to me. To uphold urban diversity and enhance vitality, it is crucial for urban administrators, developers, and architects to approach their work with interdisciplinary thinking. They should consider various aspects, such as urban planning, design of public spaces, and the creation of landscapes. Therefore, in my future studies, I am eager to delve further into urban design topics and gain a macro perspective on architecture. By broadening my knowledge in different disciplines, I can contribute to the creation of diverse and vibrant cities.

Furthermore, the rapid development of the construction industry has made us become mere cogs in the assembly line, leaving us with little opportunity and time to deeply ponder the various possibilities of future architecture. We tend to focus solely on the external form of buildings, neglecting important aspects like the relationship between buildings and the environment, user experiences, and sustainability. This approach needs to change. I believe it is essential to pay equal attention to the impact of architecture on the environment and the importance of green buildings. Additionally, understanding the influence of other disciplines on architecture is crucial to creating innovative and holistic designs.

Excellent architecture goes beyond aesthetics, incorporating elements from various disciplines to create extraordinary spaces and experiences. Therefore, I believe that the master’s program is an excellent opportunity to pause and reflect, to learn advanced design concepts, broaden my horizons and ways of thinking, enrich self-awareness. It will enable me to adapt architecture to the diverse needs of society and integrate cutting-edge technologies, such as green energy-saving techniques, to create sustainable and climate-adaptive built environments.

With this in mind, I am writing to apply for admission to the Master of Architecture program at University of Manitoba. Thank you for considering my application.



Yours sincerely,

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