I have learned architecture for about five years,three years at China and two years at New Zealand. In fact, this one long period, from learning drawing to thinking what is mission to architecture. From my point of view, the five-year study is not only a long process of knowledge accumulation, but a continuous and happy spiritual journey as well. I am deeply absorbed in the infinite space for imagination rendered by architecture in the aspects of its structure, form, color and material. No matter what I have learned is about basic cartography, model-making, or understanding the architectural thoughts put forward by both eastern and western masters on architecture through my own practice and experiments, I can always find delight in studies and a passion for creation. I have also learned to enjoy the joys brought about by architectural designing and put my heart into it through my personal practice. Therefore, by applying my in-depth studying of theories to practice, I have benefited a great deal in my academic studies.
I have learned a lot and fallen in love with the scenery here during the two years in New Zealand. But what is more attractive for me is the academic devotion of the teachers, which is rarely seen in China. I think I can throw myself in academic research totally in such a favorable learning environment if I continue my graduate study here. This is what I always want to do. I am fond of gardens and landscape and studied about both eastern and western gardens for some time. I like exploring common grounds between designs of places such as garden and small volumes like building. But this research is superficial and formal. What I really want to do is to explore their natures. I know that University of Auckland highlights theory and I need my own theory system, which will support my further study. Undergraduate courses can only teach us how to design, while graduate courses will enable us to develop our own design approach. Thorough design system is necessary for becoming contributing architect in the world.
At the end of last year, I tried to work at a design company in Shandong for two weeks and found that the real architecture was different from the ideal. Without any speech right, I couldn’t present my ideas however excellent they might be. The architecture circle in China is morbid, without enough aspiration for innovation it deserves. Architecture, the most perfect art in the world, turned out to be mechanized in China. So another motivation for my selection of University of Auckland is to learn more quintessence of foreign architecture. The researches of some architecture students in the university are very interesting for me, so I hope I can enter my yearning institution. I will make my contribution to China after graduation, hoping to initiate changes to the dead circle, whatever tiny they are.