450 word statement

Statement 

Manchester to me is “mini London '' but warmer, smaller and more exciting. Growing up visiting Manchester on a regular basis with my parents I feel it has become my second home. From shopping with my parents when I was younger, to venturing to the northern quarter and living as a city worker for a week, I can safely say I love Manchester. Equally the passionate, and diverse population of Manchester alongside the fast expansion of the city and so many different architectural styles and job opportunities I would relish the opportunity to study in Manchester.

Recently visiting the Tadao Ando building in Piccadilly gardens I left feeling underwhelmed. I’d argue that Tadao Ando’s design does not invite a tranquil entrance the park should hold, rather it does the opposite. I believe that instead of dividing the urban landscape, trams and bus stops from the park he created a monument that highlights such segregation and completely misses the point of it’s intended use. The council wanted to create a sense of peace within the city, I believe the space has the same atmosphere as prior, instead of a towering urban skyline, now an entrance which feels cold and uninviting. Despite this though without it, the space would feel lost, I would argue that in a differing material such as wood and in a much thinner tapered form this would bring a lightness to the space whilst feeling organic.

Thomas Heatherwick is one of my favourite architects despite not actually having the qualifications to achieve this status, his approach to designing buildings on a holistic level, creates buildings holding such character yet with thorough purpose. With this though comes a mix of architectural styles some I prefer to others, I love the BEI Teeside Power Station and how the intended use of a renewable power station is reflected in the form, merging in with nature, whilst the Zeitz Mocaa in Cape Town displays how spaces can be redesigned in a contemporary context displaying the historical value of the site in a modern use. Similarly the Al Fayah Park in Abu dhabi furthermore displays the interesting ways heatherwick interprets briefs, designing a modern park with such deep cultural roots relating to the cracks found within their dry terrain. This highlights why I love his work, his buildings differ in appearance dramatically yet each offering their own beauty in their story.

I would personally love to visit the seed pavilion. The response to the world expo theme displays how details make a building personal and interesting. I would like to experience the transition from day to night inside the building and how light through each acrylic strand can change the atmosphere inside.