What particularly interests me about Harvard University's Graduate School of Design is its

multicultural perspective of architecture and its ability to create leaders at an international level.

My ultimate goal is to achieve distinguished architecture for an international audience. Careful

analysis of the relationships of social groups and their design interests is the key to distinguished

architecture. A historic example of architecture that did not take into consideration social

perspective was Le Corbusier’s design in Chandigarh, India, where at the time a western

development was not fit for the demands of the eastern world. My career development will

emphasize an in-depth understanding of social and global trends and be able to create designs that

interpret a specific architectural style which would be in harmony with the surrounding culture. My interest in the global perspective of architecture has most likely been driven by my

multicultural background. I was born and raised in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico -a historic five

hundred year old city rich in colonial architecture and design. For the second half of my life I lived

in Spain and Colorado, two very different cultures. Spain is a land of famous architects such as

Gaudi, and architecture that dates back to the Celtic, Roman and Moore civilizations. Denver,

Colorado a large metropolitan city built less than a hundred years ago with an architectural design

that directly represents the modern world of today. The differences and similarities of the design

concepts from Old San Juan, Spain, and Colorado has long fascinated me in the sense that they

explain the specific demands of an era and the perception of architectural beauty of the ever

changing times. It is important to master the relationship of culture, history, social composure, and

design styles in order to create a master piece concept that is innovating but yet suitable for its

context.

For the time being, I want to gain more understanding of contemporary design with comprehensive

research into theory, history, and new technologies. As a student at the University of Colorado, I

have acquired a strong knowledge in “green design” which brings architecture and environment

into ecological harmony. For two consecutive years the school of architecture has won first place

in the Solar Decathlon which awards the best residential built design for its sustainable qualities.

From my visit to the GSD at Harvard this last summer, I was impressed by its curriculum, as

________ showed me; it provides a rich compilation of green design, cultural interpretation,

historic architecture, and modern world technology. All of this with the emphasis of stimulating

an advanced thought process will ultimately aid my future career, research, and professional

practice.

Some people dream about starting their own business, but few have the personal drive to take that

first hard step. I take pride in my entrepreneur abilities, commitment and dedication. Much of my

leadership skills were nurtured in the military as a combat engineer for the U.S. Army

(1999-2001). The most substantial professional contribution I have made so far has been my

business endeavor. After countless hours of demographic research and quite a few other financial

and bureaucratic hurdles, I was able to start my first business, Internship Designs.

At age twenty two I had a unique idea of starting a small business in which we would hire

architecture students to do home remodels for internship credits, meanwhile clients would save on

their projects by hiring students. This concept of good quality work by university students was a

success in creating employment, experience and gratification for the students, and major savings

for our customers. One of the projects that I recently completed was for the city to Lafayette,

Colorado, designing a five hundred square foot addition to a historical landmark building. My role

at Internship Design is to sit with clients and brainstorm, organize their project ideas, and then

develop two or three design options into three dimensional models. Because of my outgoing

personality and innovating ideas, my business has become a success, with more and more referrals

every week. For more information on my company, please visit www.internshipdesigns.com (I

should also indicate that I developed that website myself with help from some books on

Macromedia Flash).

I recently started a second business called ID Management, a property management company

where I advertise, maintain, remodel and lease real estate properties. At this time I have three

homes that I am managing. I am a member of the Architectural Review Committee, The Historical

Preservation Board of the City of Lafayette, Colorado, and The American Apartment Owners

Association. I am also founder of a prosperous student organization with over a hundred and fifty

members -Links Student Organization promotes diversity and is relatively successful in bridging

gaps in the architectural community of the University of Colorado.

It is safe to say that the experience that I am acquiring outside of school is directly related and

beneficial to my architectural understanding and career development. I have absorbed priceless

amounts of real life knowledge, which will have a significant positive impact on my future

professional development and competence.

I am grateful to have been introduced during my university studies to a diverse number of courses

that explore different aspects of architecture, such as solar and sustainable design, affordable

community housing, and functional urban planning. I have since accomplished many ambitions

and have become a well-recognized student in my department. With all of my accomplishments

and credentials at only 23, I am confident that a drive like mine is unmatched. Harvard’s GSD is

the only school I will apply to for its importance in the development of leaders. If I am not initially

enrolled I will reapply the following year and improve any of the submitted application materials

that am told did not aid my acceptance.

I want to face challenges posed by contemporary society and shape architectural form to its

specific social functions and related ecological conditions. Shaping the environment appropriately

requires me to advance my ability to manipulate form and improve my working thought process

with intellectual rigor. I have chosen the path of design because I want to release my innate

creativities. I have chosen architecture as my vector to plant my signature on the surface of the

earth. I appreciate the opportunity that CU has bestowed upon me to demonstrate my merit, and

now I am determined to begin the first crucial steps of my life at Harvard University.

Application Essay for Harvard University

By Kelvin Xuna

06 November 2005