First impressions of an architecture student

Time passes and life goes on, quickly and unexpectedly changeable, Maybe too often, we end up measuring our days in hours between waking up and falling asleep. Maybe too often we look back and wonder where have all those days, months and years gone, with no chance of finding a satisfying answer for this loss. But what if we would measure our days in emotions, in sounds, in pictures? Then, today wouldn't be just a number on a calendar, but a day when sun floods us with light and warmth, a day left to be enjoyed, a precious collection of memories to be added to our life story. Today, as any other day, is a gift, but it is up to us to open it and discover its wonder. Imagine yourself looking back, after years, and appreciating every minute that you are spending now, no matter how difficult it seems in the present moment.  

After 8 weeks of stepping into a new life as an architecture student, time has come for such a personal review to be made.

"How do you feel when, after all the years of preparation, you finally step further with your passion to the architecture university?"... Everyone is curious about these first impressions, which, in some cases, matter most. For me, it is almost impossible to give a brief answer. Probably the most appropriate word for describing this new life is complexity. Architecture university asks for continuous work and study, which can be challenging, motivating, but also tiring. Compared to highschool studies, university, at least in my vision, requires a lot more responsibility and has a more practical approach, bringing us closer to the real world in which we will later work and implement our designs.

Architecture school makes you think on a grand scale and realize how complex and numerous the aspects of today's society are. As an architect, you have to offer solutions for the living environment, which implies that you should have a deep understanding of all the necessities and problems of the modern lifestyle, not to mention all the technical aspects related to the science of building. I have always considered that architecture is a very complex and demanding field, and this seems to be confirmed once more by the very first experiences in the architecture university.

"The architect should be equipped with knowledge of many branches of study and varied kinds of learning, for it is by his judgement that all work done by the other arts is put to test. This knowledge is the child of practice and theory. (...) In all matters, but particularly in architecture, there are these two points:—the thing signified, and that which gives it its significance. That which is signified is the subject of which we may be speaking; and that which gives significance is a demonstration on scientific principles. It appears, then, that one who professes himself an architect should be well versed in both directions. He ought, therefore, to be both naturally gifted and amenable to instruction. Neither natural ability without instruction nor instruction without natural ability can make the perfect artist. Let him be educated, skilful with the pencil, instructed in geometry, know much history, have followed the philosophers with attention, understand music, have some knowledge of medicine, know the opinions of the jurists and be acquainted with astronomy and the theory of the heavens."  

(Vitruvius - "De Architectura")

What about the student life? In my vision, this is one of the best times in life. Maybe there is not the best organized timetable or the best teaching system. But this environment is stimulating, encouraging you to open up and put your ideas into practice. In my group there is a sense of cooperation I didn't have the chance to feel during the highschool years. Now we are all here to create, to learn and to enjoy the moment. We all have something to show, to express in our projects and drawings.

Every day becomes a mission to come up with new ideas and to discover alternatives. Sometimes you have to sacrifice hours of sleep and work more than you would have ever imagined before. This is why it is said that the field of architecture is special, and it is hard to cope with it unless you have a genuine passion. Some old habits and interests gradually disappear, turning into new ones. Still, at the end of the day, the results are not late to come - drawings and design concepts prove that your energy was put to good use. For me, this was a fresh start, with countless positive influences and I am convinced that architecture is the best possible choice, as far as I am concerned.

After these 8 weeks, I completely agree with Le Corbusier's statement - "I prefer drawing to talking. Drawing is faster and it leaves less room for lies." Therefore, this article wouldn't be complete without a visual depiction of my first architectural experiences.

Architecture university started with "releveu" - the survey of a rural house and its annexes, situated in Zarnesti, Arges. These are some of the drawings from that project:

Another subject, Form Study, required us to make a self-portrait with architectural elements or buildings that represent us. My choices were: gothic vault, ionic column, rose-window, staircase from the Tassel House designed by Victor Horta in the Art-Nouveau style and volutes from the Baroque church Santa Maria della Salute designed by Baldassare Longhena.

Long after the university courses finish, there remain, imprinted in the daily memories, life lessons about openness, friendship, team spirit, cooperation, passion, dedication, balance, good taste and the joy of working to make your dreams become reality... The Dreams of an Architect.