On a separate sheet of paper, write an essay which conveys to the reader a sense of who you are. Possible topics may include, but are not limited to,
experiences which have shaped your life, the circumstances of your upbringing, your most meaningful intellectual achievement, the way you see the world - the
people in it, events great and small, everyday life - or any personal theme which appeals to your imagination. Please remember that we are concerned not only
with the substance of your prose but with your writing style as well. We prefer that you limit yourself to approximately 250-500 words (or 1-2 pages).
A building is alive, just like a woman or man. It has the capacity to have as much integrity and personality as any human on earth. In a world ultimately controlled by Mother Nature, architecture is formed on one central idea - the will of mankind.
In the words of the wise author Ayn Rand, "I would give the greatest sunset in the world for one sight of New York's skyline." That skyline is the response to our world's calling. Oh beautiful Earth, you are not our conqueror, you are our inspiration. I may not be able to form the mountains you so grandly constructed across the horizon, but my skyscraper will slowly rise to meet the powerful sun.
When the range of natural disasters greets this planet, I may have to seek shelter but that edifice, that safe haven, is my guard. In fact, it is an enhanced version of my self, because during its creation I put my justifications, admirations, and sincerity into its structure. My core beliefs have been fortified by concrete, steel, and cladding. Thus, the building and I share the same soul. Just as I strive to inspire the people I come into contact with, I want the buildings that I design to do the same.
Those are the joys of being an architect. The ocean has the deep sea divers and the marine biologists. The sky has the astronauts and the pilots. And the land has what I hope to become some day - the architect.
I'm afraid the third paragraph is a bit convoluted, and I would drop the quote, and I would also question if the writing style is appropriate for the situation.
Remember, do not use words you do not understand, and do not copy something you read, and just try to express yourself -- that is, you.
A building is alive, just like a woman or man.
No it's not!
I'm not trying to be a jerk, just letting you know the first thought that came to mind for me was that it most certainly is not alive in the same way as men and women.
It has the capacity to have as much integrity and personality as any human on earth. --- again, I tend to disagree. I am sort of a humanist, I suppose, and I feel like humanity can't be reduced to the level of a structure.
I have an idea. You can talk about the way a building reflects the complexity of the human spirit. That way, architecture, like all art, is presented with certain sacredness because of its ability to reflect human creativity -- but we do not put the art on the same level as the artist. The art is the art, and the artist is the artist.
:-)
Kevin, I think you took the prose a bit too literally. If in fact this person believes that inanimate objects possess intrinsic value, then surely it is with good faith I give him/her the benefit of the doubt in these kinds of situations. I think you should consider doing the same. You may feel strongly about this, but is it really a good idea to raise the issue about the concepts espoused within an essay? That is to wander into a long dark tunnel.
to wander into a long dark tunnel.
You have such a great, poetic way of explaining things
Yes, you are right. I probably should not mess with the metaphor.
Like I said, though, I was just expressing the thought that came to mind when I read the intro to the essay. I said, "No it's not!" Like, for example, it might be alright to say the building is
alive, but it surely is not true that it's alive IN THE SAME WAY as a woman or man.
Anyway, good point... that's nice of you to stick up for the writer when I am being a villain. :-) Bwahahahahahaha...
