Interview with the 1st Placer : MARK STEVEN VALDE
- Mark Steven Valde“The Best practice for an architecture student is to point your pen on a piece of paper then and start to draw simple lines without looking down at your paper. And when you look at your paper, you will see a line without direction, but after a while you will learn how to see and how to improve architecture better that way.”
A
senior Architecture student from Cebu Institute of Technology, Mark Steven
Valde won the 1st place of the 2nd Polycarbonate Sheets
Architectural Design Competition organized by S.E.A Olympus Marketing
Incorporated held last July 2013 and sponsored by Sunshield Polycarbonate Sheets, Sunlite
Polycarbonate Sheets and Shutter Polycarbonate Sheets.
The competition challenged Architecture Students
to submit a modern house design that best demonstrates the utilization of
eco-friendly technologies in a holistic environmentally sustainable and
contemporary manner. The design approach should also integrate the modern
trends in architecture and the most innovative and original use of Shutter
Canopy System.
In our interview, he humbly
shared his thoughts and his dream.
Tell
us a little bit about your background.
I am the third of five siblings of Mr. Jessie and Mrs. Trinidad Valde and currently a senior student of Cebu Institute of Technology-University. I'm a sports fan and I love music. Apart from that, I spent much time on the computer doing design work. When I was a kid I did a lot of sketching consuming pads of paper on it that my mom has to buy me several pads a week. She then realized how I love drawing and design now that I'm pursuing a career in architecture
Why
did you decide to become an architect?
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| Mark Steven Valde's Winning Design |
Architecture
has always fascinated me. I realized that architecture is more than just
sketches and drawings. It is a responsibility to provide people with shelter
and communities for a healthy and sustainable life. I want to be part of those
who make this great contribution to society that's why I took up architecture.
What
are the essential things that you learned in architecture?
In
architecture one has to integrate the three important aspects in design: Utilitas,
Firmitas and Venustas. These three elements should altogether be present in
design if architecture is to exist. I believe that as architecture is the
highest form of art because you do not only visually appreciate it, you
experience architecture. People influences architecture and vice-versa and it
becomes part of our daily lives.
As
an Architecture Student, what have you found to be the most interesting and
challenging aspects of your education?
One
of the most interesting and challenging part of being an architecture student
is crossing through the edge of tomorrow's deadline and passing through the
standards of every instructor. Sleepless nights for a whole week is one of the
most common habits of every architecture student and sometimes we miss our
other subjects just to finish the plates to be passed on the next day. However,
those are the facts that we learned to accept as part of our profession because
sooner or later it abides us for the rest of our lives. Time management is one
of our teachers' advice in order to cope with all our obligations but we cannot
deny that it is literally in our "DNA" that sometimes we feel tired
and lazy.
Talk
to me about your design philosophy.
My
philosophical point of view of designing structures is to find the equilibrium
of building elements and appropriate design measures. Consideration of the
three fundamental factors of design is very important. A building will be
called good, appropriate and balanced when it is aesthetically appealing,
functionally designed, and economically constructed. As a planner and a
designer in the near future, I am starting instilling a deep sense of
responsibility between people around and their built-environment. Part of my
design philosophy is to bring back the presence of the design to the
environment, not the environment to the design to create a new sustainable
architectural gestalt so that we are free to design a building without
compromising the inhabitants of future generations.
How
did you discover your love for architecture?
I
believe it is innate. As far back as I can remember, sketching the dragonballz,
super heroes, creating helicopters, ice cream machines, toy cars and so many to
mention when I was still in grade school was my hobby my 2 younger brothers
would even cry because I already destroyed their toys due to the inner drive in
me to create new designs out of anything. My mom also told me that I have a
spatial intelligence because even if I was sleeping while travelling, it's so
easy for me to recognize the place where in, and when where home from a
vacation, I used to draw the buildings, cars, parks and etc that I saw during
the travel. I learned to love creating new designs. So I believe, it was only
enhanced as time passed by because a remarkable stage in my life where in my
architectural skill was challenged, was when our school mandated us to take
drafting and civil technology as our t.h.e. subject, and I was the only
contingent of our school to participate in the regional contest for house
planning and design which took place when I was in 3rd and 4th year high school
only. I really enjoyed it and I excelled in drafting, house planning and
design. By then, it triggered me to take up architecture in college. so, all of
these convinced me that an architect is what I wanted to be even though I'm not
yet certain of what it would offer me. all I'm doing now is giving the best I
can, for surely God has the best plan for me. I also believe that this is the
field where God can use me as a channel of blessings to other people for he is
the best architect at all times.
If
you could take an architectural tour of any place in the world, where would you
go? And Why
I
want to visit Venice, California because I want to meet my favorite architect
named architect David Hertz so I can see his green and sustainable house and
his awesome residential building projects especially the one that is made up of
different wings from scrapped airplanes. if time allow me to travel outside the
country, I will visit PETRONAS tower of Malaysia, Burj Khalifa tower of Dubai,
Angkor Wat in Cambodia, Pyramid of Egypt and etc.
Name
your favorite architects and what do you admire about their work?
As
mentioned above, my favorite architect is Arch. David Hertz. I always admire
him because he has a brilliant mind about thinking radical design concepts and
solutions to all his projects. He is actually a very smart architect. He is
very particular about the environmental impact of his designs. One of his
projects that made me so impressed is the 747 Wing House that is made up of
different wings from scrapped airplanes. in addition, I admire architect,
engineer and sculpture Santiago Calatrava, architect Zaha Hadid, architect Kenzo
Tange, architect Frank Gehry, architect Le Corbusier and architect Richard
Meier to their apparent works.
How
do you keep up with new technologies and trends in the world of
Architecture
and design?
I
purchased some architectural books that I think beneficial for me. Also, I read
books, magazines, journals and surfing the net. These provide me the needed
access to be updated in the current trends in the design industry.
Do
you have a dream project? If so, can you share what that is and why?
I
want to design complexes and high rise building. The complexity and stage of
these projects is a challenge for aspiring architects. Besides, I imagine on
how to handle big projects so that in the near future if I already have a
license to design a building, there, I can say I am ready to face the small and
big challenges in life in the field of architecture. I could say that I am
capable enough to compete with some other architects, planners and designers in
the real world of profession. My ultimate dream project is to create an
ecological city that makes life comfortable within the perimeter.
What
advice would you give someone wanting to break into this career?
Determination,
perseverance, patience, hard work, time management and knowing the priorities
are essential things that an architecture student needs to consider. Take
advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. Be prepared for new
challenges might come unexpectedly. Don't plan on having much in life but
rather be humble and live just like ordinary person but has extraordinary
ability. Do not limit your mind, think beyond the box. Keep yourself grounded
and be fair to everyone. Always bear in mind that what you have and who
you are now, it is because God gives you the strength to cope with all the
pressures you encounter every moment of your life, To God be the glory.
