At 5 years old I never questioned where buildings came from. So when I learnt that my grandfather built the house I have lived in for all my life, brick by brick, I was in awe. I remember staring at every nook and cranny of house, trying to figure out how everything was built, from the windows to the floor tiles. I had always been fascinated with art, my doodles on the walls were limitless. One day, a friend of my mother’s introduced me to the world of architecture. Upon visiting her home I was entranced by the alien sketches on the giant rolls of paper. I learnt that those were floor plans, and seeked to master the curious symbols that it comprised of. Soon I was drafting designs of my dream house with slides replacing all staircases.

I lived in a very rural town surrounded by rainforests. Growing up surrounded my nature, I have always been inclined to more organic designs. Therefore, Alvar Aalto and Oscar Niemeyer’s architecture held great appeal to me. Aalto’s modernist creations ahead of his time with varied materials was my first introduction to the world of architecture and Niemeyer’s use of curves in balance with rectilinear forms made his architecture particularly striking. However, living in such a small town, my choices were limited in secondary education. None of them offered art, which was something I’ve always had a passion for. But I was not deterred, I diligently studied and was offered a scholarship in an International school to study IGCSE, where I found that along with art I had a passion for Physics as well. It was also the first time I had lived in a city. Seeing a skyscraper on a screen in no way compares to the real thing. After my IGCSEs I was offered a second scholarship to study the International Baccalaureate in Kuala Lumpur.

I love exploring the city of Kuala Lumpur, even after being here for a year and a half, I still enter buildings and I find myself so engrossed by the designs I forget what it was I had intended to do there. It may not seem like much, but these experiences truly spurred me to love architecture even more. My experience in the multicultural landscape of Malaysia has helped me grow as a person as it brings about people from all walks of life, with different cultures and viewpoints in which we can help each other expand each others minds and outlooks. It also led me to understand the importance of social considerations when designing architecture as well. My humbler origins have also ingrained in me the the importance of being pragmatic. I believe this to be an indispensable quality that should be incorporated hand in hand along with aesthetics.

One of the co-curricular activities I particularly enjoy is the public speaking. As a child I tended to be soft spoken. I joined a speech competition to help boost my confidence and as a chance to step out of my comfort zone. It also helped me discover ways to share my passions more freely and discuss exciting and complex ideas with greater ease. I believe the ability to convey one's ideas is essential when aspiring to become an architect. Becoming the vice president of the Toastmasters club also allowed me to push me to the limits of my potential, learn my weaknesses and broaden my horizons. I have learned many valuable lessons in leadership and the importance of being a team player from my experience.

Architecture, as a discipline that integrates creativity, pragmatism with an understanding of people and place, it leaves me fascinated. I invite the challenges that accompany the subject with open arms and acknowledge I have much to learn in order to produce elegant yet sustainable designs for the future. I am fully committed to improving the lifestyles of people through architecture and I believe that along with my work ethic, resilience and inquisitive nature I have much to offer and would be truly grateful to enter your university and would be delighted to explore this next exciting stage in my education and career.