Personal Statement
As absurd as it might seem in hindsight, during my childhood my initial interest in architecture largely came from the impression that architect was a high-salary profession. However, through a systematic study of this discipline, I have now discovered that the idyllic and profound architecture that inspires emotion and thinking is my real enthusiasm. The reason why I used to view architecture as a means to money making was because my living conditions in Hong Kong as a youngster were deplorable. I remember more than a dozen individuals from multiple families including mine living in a small apartment of less than 600 square feet. Such depressing living experience was and probably still is common in Hong Kong. By contrast, the business districts in the city all looked and still look fancy with masterpiece buildings designed by various maestro architects. Yet they rarely make me feel that I belong there. Unlike the cold-blood fanciness of the CBD or the depressing apartments in Hong Kong, the Rolex Learning Center by SANAA brought me an unprecedented idyllic experience. I feel that the Rolex Center is an ideal incarnation of this connection, which arouses my affection with its unique and appealing structure. It is precisely because of the uniqueness and affinity of the Rolex Learning Center that I find more room for imagination and creation and feel that I am no longer the girl trapped in the small, narrow and crowed apartment worrying about Ko Hang Man, Emily hangmanko0125@gmail.com +852 91077576 "KEEP MOVING FORWARD"
keeping neat and tidy. Following this inspiration, I gradually find it most important in my design projects to stimulate people's emotions towards buildings in positive ways and further explore how our feeling is attuned to the geometry and arrangement of the spaces we inhabit. As my study furthers, I find that in addition to the architecture that stimulates emotions, buildings that trigger thinking also fascinate me. A project that inspires me the most in this aspect is the Jewish Museum, where every corner of the museum, with its intentionally designed dark tones and labyrinth like circulation, seems to be telling how purgatory the world can be for a person born. At the same time, the space with its abstract notifications, also drives me to reflect in profundity on how to create a world where everyone is equally based on the lessons of history. I believe that in this way the design enables visitors to deduce what the architect's main message is and respond accordingly. Such interaction between abstract architectural design and human cognition appears to me to be crucial as it influences an individual’s thoughts and potentially also his or her behavior, which in turn affect the built environment shared by us all. With this understanding, I try to employ these kinds of concepts in my own design projects. For instance, in my library design the idea is to allow visitors to learn information through a variety of approaches. With the enthusiasm I have stated, I am eager to make further attempts to investigate these fields in graduate school. Considering my advanced abilities and experience of internships and exchanges outside of Hong Kong, I am certain that I will be able to meet the difficulties posed by the MSA program at University of Manchester. Furthermore, the possibility that I can genuinely participate in the creation of Manchester City and talk face-toface with prior designers and managers is what appeals to me the most about the MSA course. At the same time, MSA will frequently bring local and international designers to the school, in order to assure students'
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Architecture Portfolio丨Academic丨Ko Hang Man
engagement with the outside world and their grasp of global design. All of these features attract me greatly and convince me that University of Manchester is the right place for me to apply to.
01 UNITY Market about love Individual work
The concept is about love, about cherishing. The idea of the market is about the basic needs, subtle and romantic. It's like spending time and effort to design for an ordinary object, ordinary life, fill them with care. The market is not just for housewives, I want everyone can join it, like family and children. The market is a medium to promote the idea of cherishing and deepening the people's memory of the market and also let the city be more engaged with urban farming. Therefore, in the market, I selected three-element to present the above ideas, they are relationships between users and sellers, the connection between nature and people and also a more self-sustainable urban lift style. I want to arrange it by circulation and disrupt the three elements.
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Architecture Portfolio | Academic | Unity
03 FLOWER Create a variety of methods for acquiring knowledge Individual work
Libraries are public information gateways that give lifelong learning and independent judgment to people and communities. A library is a place where "information is for everyone." Visitors of all genders, ages, nations, languages, religious views, educational levels, and economic circumstances can benefit from the library's books and expertise. As a result, the primary goal of public libraries is to address the requirements of a diverse range of persons and organizations with varying educational backgrounds by providing a variety of materials and services. As a result, I believe that knowledge is a must for a library. You may, however, employ a different way to assist consumers in gaining information, rather than simply providing them with books. Because I believe that the library should give access to information for tourists, neighborhoods, and other groups of individuals. As a result, offering materials and learning facilities to promote formal and informal learning are critical in assisting users in becoming more productive learners. It can increase communication between individuals, just with the use of a circular shape chair. Also, being a public area is vital for improving communication between individuals, especially in communities where there are few gathering spaces. As a result, I'd want to make use of this type of service. And, in my opinion, public libraries should function as "community living rooms," attempting to give patrons a nice social experience. In libraries, education and learning methods differ from those used in schools. At all levels, I believe libraries should provide places for both formal and selfeducation. Libraries are public knowledge portals that provide individuals and communities with life-long learning and independent judgment.
Location: 551-1 Jukjeon-dong, Suji-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea Building Users: Students, Learners, Family, Teachers, Neighborhood... Knowledge / Everyone / Students / School / Education / Learning
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TESTING THE FORMS & THE SPACES OF THE BUILDING
Interior Spaces & Elevation Designs
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Adaptable Area This library features sloped rooftops instead of flat rooftops to make the room more useful. A changeable rooftop like this may provide variety to the room. The adaptable area adds to the room's uniqueness and provides special purposes. Furthermore, a variable place works in tandem with sunshine to provide visitors additional sensations and a stronger connection to the space.
Degree of Division
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Architecture Portfolio | Academic | Flower
Purposeful corridor spaces The corridor space's primary purpose is to connect other areas. However, in order to avoid wasting This visual value to the corridor area while preserving each space's thought-provoking function. C of the place. Change the space by changing the breadth and height with which you walk.