91Â鶹¾«Æ·

At Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School in Red Deer, AB. Throughout high school, I focused on community leadership, academic excellence, and personal growth. As a part of my role in the Career Club, I helped create connections between students and met with alumni, which fostered a sense of belonging and provided guidance for future career paths. I also helped organize several fundraisers that supported causes like mental health programs and local food banks, which reinforced the importance of giving back to the community. As someone pursuing academic excellence, I did very well in my classes, and used my knowledge to give back. My commitment to helping others extended to my role as a peer tutor, where I supported fellow students, particularly newcomers, in their academic journey. Through tutoring, I not only helped improve their grades but also boosted their confidence and motivation. These experiences taught me the value of mentorship and the impact it can have on individuals, and were very rewarding as I watched people grow. In addition to my academic pursuits, I volunteered at children’s organizations, where I worked with kids from diverse backgrounds, helping them develop both academically and personally. These experiences deepened my understanding of the importance of inclusivity and empathy, which has shaped my approach to leadership. Academically, I thrived in challenging subjects, which fueled my interest in STEM. I also embraced my creative side, being recognized as a finalist in the Alberta University of the Arts ShowOff! competition, which affirmed my passion for the arts. These interests overlapped, and led me to 91Â鶹¾«Æ·'s new undergraduate program under the School of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape.

My passion for architecture is rooted in a lifelong love of both art and science. From a young age, I immersed myself in art courses, developing a strong foundation in painting, drawing, and art history. However, I’ve also always been fascinated by understanding how the world works and how this knowledge has changed the world, drawing me to a love for science. I took and excelled in all three high school science classes. Physics and math deepened my appreciation for the technical side of design and reinforced my desire to pursue a field that combines both creativity and analytical thinking. Architecture felt like the perfect intersection of my passions for art and science. During my travels in Europe and Russia, I was captivated by the architecture and variety of designs - not only of buildings but of cities, transportation, and ways of life - particularly the way design shapes the environment. The ability to create functional, beautiful spaces that also respond to human needs is what drew me to this field. As a child, I loved interior design, where I discovered the power of spaces to influence emotions and behavior. Beyond aesthetics, I am passionate about how architecture can address important social issues, particularly homelessness. I’ve always had a strong sense of social justice, and my travels to walkable cities like Helsinki, London, and Paris showed me the value in cities designed around people. I believe architecture and urban planning have a critical role to play in solving pressing societal challenges, and I’m eager to explore how design can help create more equitable and sustainable spaces for people in need. In my undergraduate studies, I look forward to exploring the field and technical aspects of architecture, particularly how functional and efficient buildings can also express thoughts and feelings and add to spaces. I’m also excited to design spaces along buildings that are not only beautiful but also practical and responsive to the needs of society. There are so many areas I'm interested in learning more about and potentially researching - from sustainable design that reacts to it's environment through green architecture, passive design strategies, and urban ecosystems, to researching how the design of spaces affects human behavior, emotions, and well-being - like connections between green spaces and mental health, the effect of colours and shapes on the atmosphere and productivity of spaces, how spaces foster community and can bring different people together, investigating how urban planning and architectural design can contribute to solving the homelessness crisis, exploring how cultural contexts influence architectural styles and city planning and how to honour different cultures through design (not just mainstream western designs), investigating how architecture can contribute to building resilient communities (wildfires comes to mind). I'd love to grow my technical skills in both software and physical design skills such as 3D modelling and possibly even sculpting, along with graphic design skills and pitching ideas. I'm also excited to be a part of the community of those in the fields, and learning of new approaches as this program has a transdisciplinary focus - the strongest ideas and the best solutions come from different and new perspectives that involve people and practices from many disciplines and experiences.

After graduation, I plan to gain experience in the field, though I believe the direction I take will depend on which aspects of architecture, landscape architecture, or urban planning resonate with me most. The first two years of this program provide a broad foundation, allowing me to explore these different areas before narrowing my focus in the final years. I’m especially excited about the opportunity to take more specialized studio classes in my later years, where I can choose the projects and research topics that most align with my interests. I anticipate that my passions will evolve as I explore these different aspects of design, and I’m open to where that exploration leads. I’d love to work at a firm to gain practical experience and learn from professionals in the field, as I believe hands-on experience will be invaluable in shaping my future career. Ultimately, I hope to continue my education by pursuing a Master of Architecture, where I can specialize further in an area I’m passionate about.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to my family, friends, and mentors who have been constant sources of inspiration and strength in my life, and whose belief in my potential motivates me to push beyond my limits.