I took a minute to look around my surroundings. I saw the landscape, the buildings, the art, the works and designs all around the place. How the simple and complex appearance of every little detail seemed to compliment each other. The life it projects, the joy, the fascination it gave me when I looked at it. And whenever I try to analyze and define how these things came to be, I can not help but think of one thing, “Architecture”.
Architecture. The measurements, the structures and materials we find corresponding to each object along with the interconnected shapes with different designs and sizes is a part of what architecture is. As a general and physical concept of architecture, I agree with this. But don’t you think it is too simple? Yeah I do think so too. I’m not saying it is a wrong definition but it only emphasizes on the physical aspect of architecture. Something everybody already knows out of a dictionary. I believe that beyond this physicality is what architecture really is. In my dictionary, I believe architecture beyond is really everything about us. The knowledge and how we think is one of the key factors to this definition. We all have a different way of thinking and how we perceive thing and everything around us, we have a way of creating new ideas. By our ability to use our critical thinking and creativity, architecture is made fresh. The passion is next of the factors of this definition. The passion we posses to do things is what we have and a part of architecture. It is the drive and inspiration of what we think of. Just like fuel to our vehicles, we need the passion to keep our ideas moving and working. To sum it up, architecture really is our very own mind and heart, our knowledge and passion each of us posses in ways different from the other. Architecture is the reflection of we really are.
So why do I really want to be an architect anyway? There are a lot of reasons why I want to be one. Let’s start off from the most basic reason I have. You know back then when all of us were still kids and people would always ask us about what our dreams are? You guessed it right, being an architect is one of my dreams, alongside with being an engineer. Next, a lot of people say that when you become an architect you will earn a lot. They say it’s a good job complemented by a good salary and has a fair share of fame and recognition. Not bad for a fine job in the near future, its got everything I would eye for. But overall, it all comes down to the title you earn upon being an architect graduate. And when people say your name with the “Arch.” in front, heads will turn and look at you with those eyes saying “this guy is an architect!”.
Designs which are modern and unique fascinate me. Somehow, I always look for things which are uncommon and try to see the beauty in them. Some people might not appreciate it and some people might. For an instance, a design today might look odd and not be the most popular but in a few years time, it might just be the biggest hit. You never really know, so I keep myself open minded and try to fancy the beauty in each design. Each design has their own pinch of beauty and creativity, it is just a matter of our perspective on how we view it.
I think every architect wants to stand out among the others and be recognized for their work. For me I want to stand out by being unique by being fresh and spontaneous on my works. I want to share my passion and idea, how fascinating or weird it may be, to people who would appreciate it but most of all to those people who would also make a productive criticism out of it. I do not really know whether or not I would be successful in 10 years time but I believe that your works and how you do your job are not bound by a time frame or limit. Just be the best you can be every time and your big break might just be around the corner.
This is Merbert Alba, and this is my manifesto for architecture.
Alba, Merbert M.
09/25/10
