My Academic Achievements: The Path of The Artist

Living in Glasgow I have been exposed to the city’s amazing architecture all my life. This is where my initial interest in the built environment came from and it considerably developed when I started secondary school since it is in the heart of the city center. I have traveled to many places and each journey has helped shape my interest in Architecture, exposing me to various types of structures and the range of materials used depending on the environment. I have seen that each place has its own definition of architecture, whether it is a skyscraper in London or a bamboo hut in Thailand, the contrasts are vast but appropriate for their landscape and natural environment. It interests me how Architecture continually changes from creating to regenerating and how we learn to adapt structures and materials to fit into our modern world. I am particularly interested in the sustainability side of architecture since I believe we need to help the planet: the climate is changing, therefore so must architecture!

I have always loved art from a young age but during my third year of secondary school I became interested in geography and it has only developed since. I wanted to find a career where I could combine both my favorite subjects of art and geography and I believe the creative, yet practical profession of architecture does this. I am very concerned about our environment nowadays and how it is only getting worse. I would love to make a difference and I believe that can be done through sustainability. My interest in this topic can be shown through an essay I wrote about sustainable architecture. Which I submitted to the Immerse Education 2019 Essay Competition and won 4th place, which was a partial scholarship. My skills in the art can be shown through school prizes I have won over the years; the Art prize in S1, S2, and S5 as well as the Graphic Communication prize in S3 and S4. My National 5 final piece was also used on school notecards and the same painting was chosen to give to one of the school governors as a retiring gift. Furthermore, in school, I was recently elected Captain of Art and a Prefect. I also opened up the Glasgow School of Art Reid buildings when I was in my last year of primary school, representing the future; an architecture student representing the present; and Robbie Coltrane representing the past. During the summer I wanted to explore a career of architecture further so I completed work experiences in different architecture firms: BDP in June of 2018 and Anderson Bell + Christie along with Mast Architects in July 2019. During these exposures to the world of work, I gained valuable knowledge and skills. Some I enjoyed more than others, but this allowed me to see what parts of architecture I liked more. I discovered I am quite interested in old restorations integrating the old with new creating contrast, as well as sustainability in architecture which I think is crucial in today’s world.

In addition to my academic achievements, I have also been involved in a number of extra-curricular activities. At home I spend my time drawing; knee-deep in a rainbow of paints; or baking cakes. I am also a keen rock climber and yoga enthusiast. My most challenging recreational achievement was the Duke of Edinburgh Award, I have just completed my bronze and silver awards. Participating in all of these physically enduring and challenging activities has allowed me to develop excellent leadership and teamwork skills, both of which are essential in architectural work as well as in a university environment. I am a hard-working person who is not afraid of making mistakes; since I believe you learn from them. I put every effort into my academic work and I am keen to expand and build upon my knowledge. I would enjoy contributing to all aspects of university life and believe everything I have done so far will help me to succeed and flourish at university.