Manchester School of Architecture Portfolio

Why I would like to study architecture at MSA

There are many reasons for me opting to study architecture at the Manchester School of Architecture. But three main points. The first, was seeing the architecture department for myself and feeling part of the fine history it beholds. The facilities, teachings and ethos of MSA really intrigued me, it was set apart from other universities, providing an unprecedented experience which I feel is suited for my way of learning. The second reason, being the architecture of Manchester. Manchester captivates to me, what architecture is all about, revolution. What better a city to be culturally inspired to create than in Manchester? Thirdly, MSA is my first choice because I know the great architects who have come from here and excelled, in particular Norman Foster, whom I take great inspiration from and eulogize his work.

Review of a building

John Ryland's library, located in central Manchester. It's architectural era is late-Victorian neo-Gothic, an era much of my interest as I feel this was the peak time in which architecture was at it's truest form of art, intricate detailing prove this and scale the interior and exterior of the building, providing it with a Church impression, which were the original intentions of it's architect Basil Champneys. Although the main building isn't an advocate of letting in natural sunlight which is common for buildings of it's era, it's modern renovations, help improve this issue with large glass window panes inserted at the entrance, which subsequently complement it's surrounding environment of modern office and retail buildings, but the subtlety of the renovation allows The John Ryland's Library to retain it's original identity and keeps the focus on the sophisticated main exterior.

Statement On Favourite Architect and a work of architecture I would like to visit in person

My favourite architect is Norman Foster, I can look to him as a template of what it takes, to go from Manchester boy with dreams, to one of the most successful architects of his generation. His work embodies to me what architecture should be, revolutionary, changing how we think and how we can improve as architects. A work of architecture I would like to visit in person is the Hearst Tower in Manhattan, New York City, bringing together Constructivist architecture alongside High-tech architecture/Structural Expressionism. Combinations in architecture really enthral me, as it fuses the culture of past with the culture of present, and brings great ideas into one.

Sketch at a city scale of London, A3 paper.

Watercolour painted landscape of a woodland.

Sketch of the Interior of John Ryland's Library, Manchester.

Sketch of the Lloyd's Building, London.

Watercolour painting landscape of Hulme, showinng MMU Birley campus, Hulme Bridge and The Beetham Tower.

Sketch of Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Reims, Paris

Half Sketch/Half 3D ( straws) of Centre Pompidou, Paris.

Alternate angle - Half Sketch/Half 3D ( straws) of Centre Pompidou, Paris

Sketch of interior of British Museum, London.

Alternate view - Sketch of interior of British Museum, London.

Sketch of The Hearst Tower, Manhattan, NYC.

Architectural sketch of an interior of Renzo Piano's Cultural centre plan