Research Questions.

One of the many reasons that I've created a space to write stuff is only because I seriouslyy need a space to write. 

Could be anything.

Anything that matters to me. 

And this is my my personal statement upon entry into masters.

Personally I feel that it lacks lustre in passion.

Have a read.

MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE

Name of Candidate       : Sophia Maheson 

Student ID                    : 1007P69807

PERSONAL STATEMENT

Architecture is many things to many people. It is both an academic discipline and a branch of professional practice. It is both arts and science, and much more. In order to steer yourself through its learning at a post graduate level you would have begun to develop a personal area of interest in the large field that is Architecture. This specific, individual interest will drive you successfully through our design-as-research Master of Architecture programme.

In 500 words, write a reflective essay that describes your area of research interest in the broader context of what architecture is to you.

I am pursuing architecture as a profession because I truly believe in ‘Architecture for Humanity’. As I was working for 10 months in NWKA Architects, I was exposed to many different types of projects. One of which was the affordable housing development; Aman Putri Affordable Homes and this project has grown on me in many different ways. It has inspired me to think about sustainable affordable development. 

            In our country’s construction industry, sustainable development is perceived as an innovative idea applicable to only certain locations, populations, or building typologies. Many building standards and development are changing across the country. It is no longer environmentally or economically feasible to continue past trends of energy and resource consumption for constructing and managing the built environment.

While environmental and economic sustainability have been driving factors in the movement towards a more resilient built environment, the importance of social sustainability is another factor that has received significantly less attention over the years. Usually, only affluent populations have had access to environmentally sustainable building solutions, which in turn provides more economically sustainable living situations those that already have money. Furthermore, the less affluent population have not had the opportunity to invest in more environmentally sustainable accomplishments, and are forced to pay high energy and water prices that others are able to avoid. Thus, resulting in social inequality.

Whereas, with the implementation of environmentally sustainable affordable housing would be more economically sustainable and thus free up more resources to help reduce social inequalities in the long run. Aside from that, health’s conditions are another social inequality that have proven to be greatly dependent upon environmental conditions; that are often controlled by the building in which one lives and works. Poor quality housing contributes to health problems such as injuries, infectious and chronic diseases, and poor childhood development. Families of the lower income bracket are most likely to experience unsavoury housing conditions and typically are least able to remedy. Hence, unhealthy environmental conditions are not only a problem of social sustainability, but also have inefficient economic outcomes. As there is simply not enough good planned affordable housing.

 In a recent study, approximately 30% of Malaysian households; lack access to adequate housing hence the rise of many illegal squatters. How can architects design affordable housing that is sustainable? Sustainable technologies generally have much higher upfront costs and do not seem feasible in the planning of affordable housing projects. Incorporating current sustainable technologies is often deemed questionable because affordable housing has never been designed to last. In the past, subsidized low-income housing i.e. flats has been built as if to provide a short-term solution; as if poverty and lack of affordable housing is a short-term problem. Tackling this issue requires affordable housing developments to last into the future without becoming obsolete and this requires adaptation and many iterations. The incorporation of adaptability in architecture is essential for the design of affordable housing that is environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable. Therefore, I believe to be an architect we could bring change to balance affordability and durability design sustainable solutions that are resistant to obsolescence in our designs and adequate research.


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