#uapsa

I grew up living in a one-storey provincial residence, above a three meter high cliff near the shore, prone to rain, high tide, earthquake, flood and storm, without electricity, under a tumble-down roof, having five siblings, a sickly mother, and a father that quit his job that I had no idea why. The spaces in the house were a huge clutter and very limited, knowing that there were eight occupants living inside. It was at that point when I realized, “We deserve more than this. I want our lives be better.” 

Just by observing my mother, I have learned the art of organizing and decorating spaces, and how it directly affect one’s mood. I was in awe by just seeing a messy table in the living room filled with my father’s books and used cigars can make me feel uncomfortable and angry; and by how seeing the living room arranged by my mother during Saturdays can make me happy; how indoor plants can make me calm; and how windows are important for the flow of air and natural light. 

I also sensed that we probably need another storey, so I convinced my father, and he asked for his friends’ help to build another storey for us. I enjoyed every day by just observing the construction process--- how the cement was mixed with water and aggregates, the beauty of pouring concrete, and the splendor of massing. When it was finished, I was disappointed how it did not turn out the way my parents wanted. I realized that we were in a financial crisis, that’s why the materials that they used were in low quality, and the standards were not met because we could not hire an architect.  

Every riser in our staircase has a height of more than 200 millimetres, which is so high from the design standard, that my little sister and my cousin got an accident. They fell off and injured their legs. The foundation is not strong, too. After years, the ceiling on our ground floor had cracks and some of them would fell off the ground. Our floor is eventually sloping down from the movements of the sea waves during typhoons. During a stormy weather, raindrops would fall from our roof. It was a nightmare. Although I appreciate that finally, we have our separated bedrooms for girls and boys, I still feel that our house must be renovated one day.  

The last semester of high school came, and unexpectedly I was called to leave the class, because my father was in the hospital, due to bone cancer. Before he died, I made a promise that one day I will make his dream house come to life. It is his legacy that he wanted to pass on me. So after high school I took the architecture entrance exam in EVSU and passed.  

College made me fall in love with architecture even more, and it helped me expand my views from my instructors, peers, travels, and researching. It keeps me desire more in renovating our house one day. Architecture is such a broad subject. It has different meanings, as much as we have different architects that changed our world. But more than anything, architecture for me, is a tool to make our lives better.  

Super-typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) came and we lost our roof. Our house is ruined. I have to become an architect as soon as possible.   Now that we are in a pandemic, I believe that architecture is the solution, or if not, is one of the solutions, to help us live comfortably, safe and sound in the new normal. Architects are constantly finding ways. 

I admit, I failed the pass board exam, and it still kills me to the bone. It’s embarrassing and frustrating. But as my mentor had always told me, “failure is never final.” He, too failed his first board exam. He is a top-notcher the following board exam he took. Because of him, I still have this vision to help my family and other people. Being an architect is the way, and I want to become like him one day. 

Why do I want to become an architect? The answer is simple: To make people’s lives better. 

I have a passion for people, as much as buildings and environment. It’s a topic where you can ask: How are people different? How do they live differently? How are people affected by geography and climate? How do religion, economics and personal beliefs change how people interact with their surroundings? Architecture is a never ending topic of fascination. 

How humans interact with the buildings and the spaces around them is what makes it so exciting. My hunger for this idea has encouraged me to explore as much as I can. I have learned that architecture is principally about design. And design is about making decisions. Architects actively enjoy the decision making process in all areas of their lives. Moreover, their decisions are always for the people and the environment. 

In conclusion, all these personal experiences, all the things I learned in college, from the wisdom that I got from my mentor during my internship, and the variety of ideas and information that I got from different people and places, have proven that our lives can be better through design, planning and rational ways of making a home and building a safe environment.  

Anthony