Yining GAO - Professional journey of the UNNC Architecture Alumna
Yining Gao, a UNNC architecture Alumna who completed her master studies some time ago and now works in an architectural office in Shanghai, gave a guest lecture in which she shared her professional experience with our architecture students. She talked about her journey from studying architecture at UNNC to working in professional practice, working on interesting projects in an influential architectural studio in Shanghai.
The Guest lecture was organized by Aurel Fabri, who was her tutor at the time of her studies at the UNNC. The text of this article was developed later as an interview between Yining and Aurel.
AF: In 2018, you completed your UG study of architecture at UNNC. What has been the most important, the greatest value you gained while studying at UNNC? What are your memories of that time?
YG: UNNC's UG study was my initiation. The university is the place where I learned the basic processes and methods of architectural design, as well as the critical thinking abilities that are unique to all UNNC students. All these strong competencies have been strong supports for my future studies.
My memories about my architectural experience at UNNC mainly remains at the fieldtrips since that two fied trips (one to Beijing, one to Japan) are so impressive and help to form my fundamental understanding of architecture in our real life.
During our fieldtrip to Beijing we visited the Commune by the Great Wall, where the buildings were so ingenious that they seemed to me more like an architectural experiment. During my first and second year of study I was very confused by ‘genius loci’ at the initial stages of design, wondering what the role and meaning of those abstract feelings and artistic expressions was in the architectural design process. At the Commune by the Great Wall, I began to understand the ‘concept’ of architecture, and started to gain a basic sense of how architecture can build an interesting experience in space, rather than just a stack of functions or an expression of our own peculiar aesthetic preferences. The fieldtrip to Japan was more about developing how I, as an architectural student, could inspection and observe architecture independently and at the same time, forming a habit of architectural observation and sensitivity in my future life.
UNNC Field trip to Beijing, the Commune by the Great Wall
AF: Did you have a gap year, an experience from practice, before your Master studies?
YG: I didn’t do a gap year but had two month internship in Monoarchi, which is the office I’m now working in. But I would took a gap year if time can go back to that time.
AF: Could you please share with us your experience from your Master studies at the RCA London?
YG: RCA is an interesting place. When I was making a choice for my postgraduate application, I didn't really know much about the architecture departments of different universities, so I applied to several schools (including UCL, AA, Edinburgh University) just like most students did. Doesn’t like my other applications, my application to RCA was more out of a longing for art. On RCA's Instagram, I feel that the expression of the works at this school would have more flaxibilities and possibilities, such as super-large-scale physical models, interesting stop-motion animated short films. This was very novel and attractive to me at the time. The next two years of my life have also confirmed this.
As RCA is more of an art school in general, it offers many workshops for different subjects, such as textiles, printing, film editing, photography. These workshops are open to all students, so at the beginning of the first semster, I went to almost all of these workshop inductions out of curiosity and discovered a lot of possibilities for application to architectural design. I found the chances for architecture to link up with other professions. One of the great things about RCA is that there will never be any restrictions. They allow us to express our ideas and realise our possibilities in any way we want, we don't necessarily need to produce floorplans, sections to complete an architectural project, the results can be presented in a range of paintings, textiles, sculptures, images, as long as you can successfully express yourself and convince the tutors. The dissertation at RCA will need to be beautifully laid out and framed. Completing a dissertation is like publishing a book for yourself – that‘s is really enjoyable.
AF: You currently work as an architect in Shanghai, in the architectural studio MONOARCHI. Could you please tell us something about your office and your work on architectural design project?
YG: MONOARCHI is a small architectural practice and also the first studio I interned at. After having interned at several firms of different sizes both at home and abroad (Contemporary Design Solution London, Atelier Deshaus, Junya Ishigami + Associates), I chose to return here to continue my career in architecture. Specialising in small-scale architecture, our practice strive to express our ideas in a subtle and clear architectural language.
Yining at Monoarchi Office
Compared with the projects at school, the process of an architectural project at work is much more difficult, as we encounter more predictable and unpredictable challenges such as communication with clients and unexpected situations during the construction. As a junior architect, I was able to participate more in the whole design process at MONOARCHI than in a large-scale office. I am able to understand the whole process more quickly and participate in every stage of the design and help with the problem solving. For students who have not yet graduated, I really think the choice of the right firm for them is a big issue. My advice is to intern at as many firms as possible, as architectural practice of different types, in different sizes or at different countries will all have their own strengths and weaknesses. Find the one that suits you best!
AF: Would you like to come with some recommendations for our students?
YG: I'm sure that students are now faced with applications for their Master degree or choosing the one from their offers. Personally, I would highly recommend having a period of work experience (6-12 months) before going on to the next stage of their studies. Working will give you a better understanding of what kind of long-term environment you will be facing in the future, and your seniors colleagues in the practice will bring you a lot of useful information, and you can also figure ot your future path from their experiences.
I think the most important thing in studying architecture is to understand what you really want, what you are really interested in and what suits you the best.
When I was about to graduate from RCA, I was also having a period wondering again about my future. ‘Taking a PhD seems not a bad choice.’ I thought. So I went to the PhD application session held by the school and I found people sitting around me are so passionate and most of them are holding a certain direction and a super clear career path. Some of them are even hoary-haired. Since then, my mind was changed. I said to myself: ‘get to know yourself well and then come back.’ It will never be too late to start your next stage of education.
AF: Thanks a lot for the interview, for sharing your experience and the nice ideas. We very appreciate indeed.