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Reflection Essay

The document reflects on a seminar titled 'Expanzon: Expanding the Horizon of Urban Spaces' attended by an architecture student in celebration of World Architecture Day 2024. The student was inspired by Architect Richard M. Garcia's insights on the role of architecture in enhancing community health and functionality through thoughtful design. The experience emphasized the importance of innovation, observation, and the responsibility of future architects to shape society positively.

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justine cayton
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3 views

Reflection Essay

The document reflects on a seminar titled 'Expanzon: Expanding the Horizon of Urban Spaces' attended by an architecture student in celebration of World Architecture Day 2024. The student was inspired by Architect Richard M. Garcia's insights on the role of architecture in enhancing community health and functionality through thoughtful design. The experience emphasized the importance of innovation, observation, and the responsibility of future architects to shape society positively.

Uploaded by

justine cayton
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Cayton, Justine Audrianne M. Mrs.

Marites Balmas
BSARCH 1-1 11/15/2024

Looking Back and Moving Forward: World Architecture Day 2024 Seminar

As an architecture student, I realized how little I know about my course. On the 13th
day of November, I was recently invited to participate in UAPSA - PUP's seminar titled
“Expanzon: Expanding the Horizon of Urban Spaces” in celebration of World Architecture Day
2024. This meeting was held at our very own College of Architecture, Design, and Built
Environment (CADBE) where I had my wonderful experience along with my fellow blockmates.
It was indeed an honor to listen to one of the guest speakers, Architect Richard M. Garcia, the
Vice President of Visionary Architecture and Founder of GALA Architecture. At first glance, I
was truly impressed by how he presented himself with a warm welcome and confidence to the
public. As I continued to listen, I found myself slowly getting more engaged in his public
speaking due to his clarity and easy-to-follow concepts that even I as a beginner could
comprehend quickly. His concise yet passionate messages gave me hope and motivation for
what can I do more as a future architect.

In reality, I know that there will be plenty of inspiration and innovation through the
process of time and Ar. Garcia taught the students that architecture can be expanded more
with observation and analysis in the general world. Architecture gives solutions to the public.
Each country requires a functional yet pleasing design depending on what the community
needs. For example, I remember him saying that it was truly difficult to know which weather it
would be in the Philippines because back then in June and forward, it would be all cold but
nowadays it’s difficult to predict. He explained further that this problem was given a solution
by architects by choosing materials that can be suitable for both weathers for the buildings.
However aside from buildings, I noticed a unique yet futuristic strategy in different countries
such as Japan. Ar. Garcia shows that architecture can also provide safety just like when
Japanese people utilize handless or touchless features to their elevators. It left a good
impression and made me inspired that I should try to visit and learn more about technology
since Japan is using its innovations more convenient to the people without risking their health.

Speaking of health, I remembered so many times how Architect Garcia emphasized the
importance of health. Nowadays, it has been overlooked by the people but health consists of
variations such as mental health, physical health, and so much more. With the help of
Architecture, health can be improved by carefully picking designs to bring satisfaction and
protection. He gave examples of malls providing public open spaces so that people can
experience and relax in a good park even if the city is already crowded with plenty of buildings.
This brought to the people a sense of nature and calmness despite the busy atmosphere
within. When the designers care for the consumer's well-being, it brings more comfort leading
to a positive outcome that can motivate them to continue to visit and choose that specific
building just like the mall. The architects must decide critically because the mall is one of the
most common places where people enjoy and shop. This is where I realized an understanding
of pressure among architects due to its publicity and strict guidelines to maintain order peace
and order yet delightful to experience.

To sum it all up, Architecture is more than designing or making aesthetic buildings. It’s
about bringing a design that can help to the society so it can function with ease. The seminar in
celebration of World Architecture Day 2024 brought an eye opener to me on how powerful
Architects are and how they can shape the community’s future. It gives a sense of inspiration to
me that I will be one of the next designers and it’s in the youth’s hands to continue the legacies
of the hardworking Architects. I also learned that it’s essential to travel and think outside the
box to earn more opportunities and utilize them to gain insights on how to help more in the
community. In the end, architects are not just artists, we plan for a better future while capturing
designs for the next generations.

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