MS Architecture Iranian Artist Personal Purpose Statement

It was intended that I should be a physician, and, in my early teens, I was thrilled to go along with this parental ambition. However, my family members are mainly involved in engineering, design, and architecture, and, in my mid-teens, genetic influences suddenly seemed to supersede my original career intentions. After much concentrated private study, I spent all my spare time reading about art and architecture and eventually qualified for entry to study at the Tehran College of Art and Architecture at the age of 18.

I wanted to study Interior Design, but no such program of study existed in Iran, so I studied the closest alternative, Industrial Design. I was awarded my degree in May 2007. I was aware of the prestigious reputation of Virginia Tech. in my areas of interest and wanted to apply for entry once I had completed my studies in Iran. My father graduated from VT and was the first person to take a Ph.D. in Earthquake Engineering. I wanted to experience the academic environment my father loved so much. Unfortunately, my family could not afford to fund this ambition until 2009, when I could finally begin my studies in Virginia and entered the Interior Design program.

 I was thrilled to study Interior Design, but my professor urged me to change my major to architecture because she saw that my work was biased toward large-scale concepts and vision. I thank her daily for pointing me in what I see now as the right direction. I am fascinated by architecture because of the melding of science and art towards creating something that has utility and beauty, impacts the environment of many people, and that will perhaps stand for generations. The responsibilities of an architect are pretty breathtaking, combining many disparate skills and taking account of the needs and views of many with direct and indirect interests in a project. I am also very excited at the developments in building design and materials that will eventually provide us with buildings that produce energy rather than consume it. I hope to be a part of the solution to energy use reduction through architecture.

 I have been fortunate to be exposed to architectural styles in Iran and the US.  I am also part of the school’s ‘study abroad program’ based in Switzerland and have seen the best in European architecture during my visits. I look forward to a further study trip to Europe in the spring semester of 2012.

 I love the academic environment at VT and want to undertake my higher studies in this positive, supportive and challenging milieu. Thus I am applying in this, my fourth year of bachelor's degree studies, to undertake a combined BA and MA program in my fifth year and complete the MA program in my sixth year of study.

 I know there is no valid reason to pursue a career in architecture unless one is passionate about it. I also know I have the necessary passion for becoming a successful and influential architect. I hope to be involved in research relating to urban architecture during the program. I am also aware that those fortunate enough to have well-rewarded careers that they love should donate some of their time and skill to assist charities and non-profit bodies in achieving their goals, and I intend to do so.