Full disclosure, I have always disliked writing, the rigidness of the formats from researching a topic to constructing an argument. I would get so frustrated because it feels like writing requires me to follow certain rules, someone else’s rules. Following has never been my strong suit, I tend to go the opposite direction. However, I started to get a different feel for writing from this class I’m taking this semester. The class focuses on “freewriting” where I can simply reflect my thoughts, and not have to worry about having perfect introductions or strong conclusions. It is no longer about writing to meet the requirement of word counts or the number of sources. I now think of writing as a tool that helps me think better and see clearer in a way. From time to time, I would wake up in the morning and just write down some of my thoughts from the architectural problems I am facing or just the mood I am in. The more I write the more I realize how powerful written words can be. I no longer have to memorize all the ideas in my head whether good or bad, I simply write them down so they can have visual impacts to further my thinking.

I have always been a visual learner, that’s part of the reason why I study architecture. It comes natural to me to make visual connections between geometries or ideas but if ideas are simply floating in space, it is hard for me to grasp the relationship or the priority between them. Writing becomes the mapping of ideas, and through which I can see my thoughts and discover things I could never see before. Once I write the ideas down I can shift them around or dig deeper because I am no longer afraid of losing them. In a way, this shift of perspective on writing is a practice of freedom that allows me to go from passively writing to actively engaging with my curiosities. Perhaps instead of seeing writing as a requirement in English classes, it could be a fun and helpful tool like sketching or photoshopping and countless other means of exploration. 

The year 2020 is often dubbed as the year to forget, ever since the pandemic started, all our lives have been affected in more ways than one. The quarantine took place right before Spring break of last year. I remember just finishing up the midterm review and getting ready for a relaxing break to... View full entry

Every building has a story to tell, an experience to share. But it is hard to do so just by looking at pictures and drawings, without being immersed by surroundings, and engaged with one’s senses. That is why millions of people travel around the world every year visiting ancient wonders and... View full entry

The world is changing at a very fast pace, not just the landscape, but also our perspective, and architecture is no different. Most animals rely on shelter for survival, humans especially. We started from hiding in caves and stacking rocks to building castles and churches. Architecture emerges as... View full entry