Successful 2014 application - most likely very out of date for anyone new finding this!

Manchester is a thriving hub of culture containing a fusion of both old and new buildings, such as the Victorian era neo-gothic town hall, and the Beetham Tower designed by Ian Simpson and completed in 2006. A rich host of museums and galleries exist within the city, along with festivals that are held for the appreciation of art.
The Manchester School of Architecture holds close ties with architectural practices in the city, offering great opportunities to involve myself in the design process of buildings in Manchester. The school is a pioneer in creating a professional environment for study through the recent refurbishment of the Chatham Tower as a studio workspace, and extensive ICT facilities. Furthermore, the collaboration of the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University offers the best from both universities, each holding over 100 years worth of experience in education, with additional support from the research-based Manchester Architecture Research Centre.

I recently went on a trip to Rome, where I had the opportunity to visit exhibits in the Vatican Museum. Along with a collection of traditional and contemporary artwork, the Raphael Rooms displayed a sheer dedication of the artist to his work, in which the intricate details suggest years of labour and patience to achieve the desired masterpieces which decorate the walls in four large rooms.

The Japanese architect Tadao Ando has created many exciting buildings, primarily using unpainted concrete and wood as building materials. Although his early work, such as his Sumeyoshi Row House, does not appeal to me due to the stark front of the building in contrast with its surroundings, his later works show a sense of refinement, using greenery and water to add colour and movement to his works and thus creating a dynamic environment that blends with the concrete used. I particularly like his work at Fabrica in Treviso, Italy due to the fusion of the old Italian architecture with his modern style, incorporating an oval courtyard sunken into the original courtyard. His addition to the site does not dominate, but instead enhances the architecture already present.