go How about going abroad to study architecture at Columbia University? Columbia University, one of the Ivy League universities, ranked 16th in the comprehensive ranking of universities in the world in 2019, far ahead of many universities. In addition to the comprehensive strength of the most prestigious universities, Columbia University In art and design majors, it also provides students around the world with rich and high-quality options, especially Columbia University Architecture ， Columbia University GSAPP Ranking in Architecture in 2018 The architecture major of Columbia University has become a lot of Application for Studying Abroad in Architecture Is a required item for students.
Today, Natural Light invited and interviewed the designer Mavis, who graduated from GSAPP msaad, the architecture major of Columbia University, and currently works in Ishigo Chunya, to share with you the learning life of Columbia and her Experience of studying abroad in architecture at Columbia University ! In addition, there is a surprise meeting with ONE Share at the end of the article!
Mavis
Currently working in Ishigo Chunya Office
Columbia University GSAPP msaad
OSU bachelor of arch+history and theory minor
Bachelor of Architecture, Southwest Jiaotong University
Q1. Why choose to study abroad in Columbia University?
Mavis：
Why study architecture? On the one hand, I think architects are cool when I was young, and on the other hand, when I was young, people often asked "What are you going to do when you grow up?", and then they actually made up their minds.
as for Studying abroad in architecture at Columbia University In fact, I had such an idea for a long time, because I felt that my world should not be limited to cities with a radius of 100 miles, and my own vision is the same. If I see more things, my own vision will be broadened, and my mind will also be improved. So when I first saw that the school had an exchange program, I didn't hesitate to sign up for it.
Q2. After you studied architecture at Columbia University, you went to Japan. Is there any chance?
Mavis：
In fact, I didn't leave completely, and I will return to New York later. I have always studied Japanese and have been deeply influenced by architects like Ito and Meidao. Last year, when I was in the GSAPP class of Columbia University, one of the instructors of the studio was the designer instructor of my current office, Junya Ishiguro, who appreciated his attitude towards architecture and design at that time.
After Studio ended, I felt that one semester was too short, and I wanted to learn from him. Once after class, I asked him, or I would like to work there next year? He also readily agreed, so happily decided.
Group photo of Mavis and his mentor Junya Ishigure
Q3. Do you have any experience you want to share with the students who are preparing to study abroad?
Mavis：
Because my undergraduate is an exchange student going abroad, the situation is quite special, so Graduate students apply to Columbia University for architecture Let's share it with you. I think the most important thing is to find "suitable". Specific to the country, city and college style, we should consider and understand clearly. In addition, Application for studying abroad in architecture Please be a process of competing for strength, Achievements, language, architectural works collection, personal characteristics You need to make adequate preparations in advance.
Q4. Can the architecture major of Columbia University specifically talk about the collection of works and documents?
Mavis：
I prepared at the same time as I went to class, so I started in September. It took me three months. I was very busy and did not prepare enough. I always felt very sorry. So I suggest that students should apply for Columbia University's architecture major to study abroad. If conditions permit, you must reserve sufficient preparation time for yourself.
Secondly, I personally think that for those students who have a good professional foundation and have a very high degree of completion of the collection of architectural works, there is not much need to make a new plan, unless you have been working hard for a long time and have always wanted to create new ideas for yourself. But just for the sake of looking good in the brochure, it's really not interesting.
Create a collection of architectural works You can take out what you have done before and sort it out again. You can read your own work like a master's work, and dig down into yourself like writing a paper. Ask yourself where you are doing well, where you are not doing well, what you want to express, what are the similarities and differences between these works, and how much continuity your ideas have. These are all good opportunities to get to know yourself, to figure out what you are doing and what you want to do. This is a process of self recognition affirmation and improvement. I really enjoy it. I will feel great when I finish it.
In the whole process, you will re recognize your own works, know where your work is not enough and where there can be more expansion, and then supplement and improve according to these.
Secondly, in Application for Studying Abroad in Architecture at Columbia University On the other hand, it is mainly to talk about the world outlook, the cognition of architecture, and the integrated relationship between architecture and people, and nature based on my own experience.
Here, I would also like to mention the recommendation letter, which should also be part of the daily accumulation. I have a good relationship with many of my undergraduate teachers. We can travel together, drink, eat, and have parties together. When we encounter difficulties, we can still talk to each other. So when I learned that I was going to apply for the architecture major at Columbia University, the teachers all volunteered to write letters of recommendation for me and help me contact other colleges and choose schools.
Q5. Can you share with us the life and learning experience of Columbia University's architecture major?
Mavis：
The "good" of the architecture major of Columbia University is not only rich in resources and excellent teachers, which are reflected in details, but also in ordinary classes. In the process of contacting various teachers, you will find that Kenneth Frampton is so patient and gentle; Mark Wigley was a joker who was delayed by the building; It turns out that Bernard Tschumi smiles so sweetly that when the student takes a picture with him, he will say, "Wait a minute, let me take my scarf..."
I want to go to Columbia University to study architecture and bring me more than just learning technology and knowledge. There is also face-to-face communication with all the "masters", which may be the temperament of every action; It may be his hobby that his eyes shine when talking about strange ideas; It may be that he frowned and kept silent for half a minute while thinking about your plan; It may also be that the greeting between "masters" and "masters" is elegant. Such an immersive atmosphere will bring you constant changes every day.
Upper left: Kenneth Frampton; Top right: Bernard Tschumi
Bottom left: Ai Weiwei; Bottom right: Cristina Goberna
Graduated from Columbia University majoring in architecture Mavis also shared his opinions and ideas on studying abroad in architectural design!
Keep improving until the last moment
This was influenced by the "resolute attitude to change the plan to the last second" of teacher Ishikaki. It's more like never compromise, especially not compromise with time. Students can put this spirit on Creation of Architectural Works On.
"My architectural design must be unprecedented"
He was still taught by Shishang's teacher. For any project, whenever everyone brainstorms about sketches, teacher Ishikaki will keep asking: "Has anyone seen this design? Has anyone done it?"
This should be the designer's self requirement. He should be strict with himself. He should have a 100% sense of responsibility for every work and user: I do architectural design, which must be unprecedented. It is not even possible to be similar to the scheme you have ever made. He doesn't want to give himself a style or a fixed routine, but every scheme must be an innovation, which is really valuable.
Key points of architectural design works Maintain a respectful attitude towards objective external forces
When creating architectural design works, people may be confused: as an architectural designer, how do I change or save the world? Or is architecture really meaningful to people's life and behavior?
I learned from Shishang teacher that he has a clear understanding and respect for the scope of influence of the objective existing environment and buildings. For example, my project when I studied architecture at Columbia University, as well as a competition in the Middle East that we are doing recently, are all in a very powerful and beautiful landscape. He always emphasizes to us that no matter how hard we (architects and even all mankind) try, we can't surpass such a beautiful nature. Therefore, we can only leave it alone and achieve it with a submissive attitude and weak architecture, which is a respectful attitude towards nature and the external environment.
When we were discussing the design of a very large residential area, he also told me that the life of users is beyond our control. Therefore, the architect can only provide the simplest architectural language in this case. The final space must be completed by us and the residents together, and what we can do may be less than half of the impact. Although Shishang is doing a very "wayward" building, in fact, he understands the limitations of architecture. Architecture can only have a partial impact on human life. We cannot define or stipulate the use and actions of people in a building.
Cherish life
Although this may be a bit of truth and humor, "life" is an eternal proposition for everyone. For architectural designers, it is not only their own life, but also the life of users who are connected with the building. Respect and cherish it.
Above all, Mavis, as an architecture major at Columbia University and a real architect, shares his life abroad and his understanding of design in architecture! Of course, if you like the natural light, even though you have seen so much, you still don't feel satisfied, or you have more information about Studying at Columbia University Do you want to share your opinions with this super high energy student? Then, now natural light will give you a chance!
ONE Share
Cherish life and stay away from buildings?
Not only are there students graduated from Columbia University with a high energy and new architectural perspective, but also Zhang Tang, a master of architecture from the University of Tokyo, Japan. Two top universities, together with two people's architectural minds, bring you a deep analysis of the architectural profession that breaks the conventional concept and an infinite interpretation of architectural design. With an ONE Share, Break through their own building "bottom line", let the "confident" and "wayward" ideas blend.
Time: 19:30-21:00, September 25, 2018
Venue: 8131, World Heritage Center, Xipu Campus, Southwest Jiaotong University
Registration: Scan the QR code below, add Chengdu natural light as your friend, and use "building mind" together to break the routine of life!
To learn more about the "inside story" of this ONE Share, please look forward to the next exclusive architect career sharing of "About Zhang Tang, another ONE Share sharer"!
Exclusive small "spoiler":
Zhang Tang
Master of Architecture, University of Tokyo, Japan
Since 9 years of studying in Japan in 2009 Master of Architecture, University of Tokyo During the semester, Yijie Gallery was founded to exhibit original and immature works in accordance with the original intention, and is committed to building a platform for artists to express and share whether they are "professional" or not. After graduation, set up a personal studio. In addition to the space design projects focusing on interior, architecture and planning, we are also committed to community transformation and "self construction" projects. From furniture, hard decoration to public space, we try to construct by ourselves, hoping to go deeper and take root in daily life.
Natural light can recommend you to study abroad in architecture major of Columbia University:
How about studying abroad at Columbia University? What are the conditions for Columbia University to apply for studying abroad?
To study architecture in the United States, which is more recommended, Harvard, Columbia, Parsons, Rhode Island?
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