This is an excellent example of a personal statement which caused the student to obtain many offers and interviews. If you decide to download, DO NOT use this essay as your own, as this counts as plagiarism.
Cambridge Interview, UCL, Manchester School of Architecture,
University of Bath, University of Newcastle
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As humans, we have the potential to create things that could outlive us
and significantly enrich the lives of others. Architecture is one of the
mediators of such innovation. What worries me is our consumerism-
ruled society, built on the foundations of the Internet and Fordian mass-
production, which appears to act as a catalyst for a widespread mob
mentality. I believe that architecture, as the most public and permanent
form of art, has the power to emphasise the value of individuality and to
fight homogeneity.
As I started becoming more aware of the complexities of the modern
world, I began to identify factors that shape my experience of buildings.
Growing up in Warsaw I learned about the historical context of the
Palace of Culture and Science: a symbol of the USSR's control over
Poland. This infamous building is an example of how a misalignment
between the community's values and the symbolism of a building cause it
to be negatively experienced, regardless of its aesthetic value. On the
contrary, across the street, stands Jon Jerde's successfully-designed
shopping centre; through its structure, I believe it was made to represent
Poland's recent economic progress and the newfound independence of its
citizens.
Attending an LSE lecture called "What is housing for?" made me keen to
explore the socioeconomic impacts of buildings. It ultimately inspired
my EPQ in which I strive to find the causes of London's current housing
crisis. After exploring how the commodity quality of real estate is taking
priority over its role as a shelter, and how this clashes with Article 17 of
the UDHR, which implies the right to own property, my research took a
more human rights-based approach.
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