8/8/2021 LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE TU DELFT Motivation Letter

In short, this is the motivation letter I wrote to get admitted into Landscape Architecture at T
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Motivation Letter
Abdul Said Ahtar

A typical day of an architecture student is spending hours thinking of the future. Whether to
become an architect, urban designer, landscape architect, contractor, developer, lecturer, the
were so many options to go through. Studies in Architecture at Institut Teknologi Bandung an
my work experiences in Area Designs, CPG Consultants, and ETH Zurich - Future Cities
Laboratory gave me better insight in the world of architecture. Through studio projects, class
and student activities I learnt that architecture is knowledge to build a better environment fo
people and the world. Everyone deserves good design, whether you are a large multi-million
company down to lower income people and the public.

Golfing has opened my eyes to the beauty of a designed landscape, also the greatness of out
spaces. This particular hobby of mine led to the choosing of my final project. My final projec
was to design a golf clubhouse and resort in the city of Bandung. The challenge was to desig
new clubhouse, with accommodation and resort facilities at a historic course located at the
north of Bandung. Main opportunity from the site is the view, because of the location up on th
mountain, there is a clear view of Bandung and also the golf course from the top. Challenges
faced in the design are the steep contour, and the awkward lean boundary of the site. The de
of Dago Endah Golf Clubhouse and Resort was to split the site into two areas, with the northe
part near the 1st hole tee box and 18th hole green for the clubhouse, and the resort area in t
south. The resort will accommodate 80+ rooms in the hotel building, with six 2 story bungalo
to add to the resort. A boardwalk and viewing deck is located between the clubhouse and res
area to connect the two. Families can watch the golfers play from the viewing deck, with a ni
view to the city. The final grade I received was a B worth 8 credits, with a workload of writing
thesis paper, journal, architectural modeling, and creating concept and architectural design
drawings of the building.

Landscape is much more than just sidewalks, trees and plants, to me more importantly it
provides an experience and certain ambiance for the users. My home country of Indonesia is
dire need of decent landscapes and public spaces. In the early 2000s well designed landscap
and outdoor areas are seldom found in Indonesia, with focus mostly on building shopping m
and car roads. The only decent landscape I experienced was on the golf course, where I coul
walk and enjoy the outdoors comfortably. Unfortunately, this type of landscape is only
experienced by a small number of people even though I feel there is greater joy in walking
around outside rather than hanging out in shopping malls. Since 2010, cities in Indonesia sta
to give more thought and care towards the design of outdoor spaces and parks such as in
Surabaya, Bandung, and even Jakarta. But there is still a big lack of public spaces all around
Indonesia. I see this as an opportunity and a challenge that I would like to contribute to, and
attending Landscape Architecture at TU Delft would be a perfect way for me toChat!
Let's develop the s
needed to conquer this issue.

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Advanced study in the landscape architecture field has been a goal of mine since my early
college days. Stories from my lecturers and seniors inspired me to apply for the field of
Landscape Architecture in TU Delft. TU Delft is one of the best architecture schools in the wo
currently ranked 3rd in Architecture Schools around the world based on the QS University
Survey. This is one of my main reasons for applying to TU Delft. TU Delft has always had a go
history with my alma-mater ITB, and one of my good friends is currently attending TU Delft f
his Master degree. I also got inspired to study in the Netherlands after attending KTCF 2014,
where I was appointed as an architectural assistant along with several of my friends mainly
the Dutch architecture firm KCAP, as well as helping out OMA and MVRDV, also attending wer
local architects Djuhara-djuhara, Han Awal and Partners, and Andra Matin Architects. This
experience showed gave me a better understanding of the history of Dutch buildings in
Indonesia, as well as the similarities of design approaches by Indonesian and Dutch architec
maintained a close relationship with Kees Christiaanse throughout the years, and he was on
my supervisors during my work at ETH Zurich – Future Cities Laboratory, and he highly
recommended to continue my studies in TU Delft. By studying in TU Delft, I will also gain first
hand experience living in a new city, country, and continent which will broaden my view towa
the design of urban landscapes. Networking opportunities is also a main purpose for me to a
to TU Delft. I have spoken with some TU Delft Alumni and they told me about the great
experience of networking between students, between students and staff, and also profession
that can be made in TU Delft.

There has been a growing trend in parks and urban development across Indonesia the past f
years. Surabaya as one of the first cities to acknowledge the importance of public spaces, wi
Bandung and Jakarta soon following to build and maintain great parks and developments. Th
is also a rise in design competitions in other major cities of Indonesia .

The Flowscapes studio is interesting as the project involves development along a riverbed th
crosses through various European countries. This will be a really interesting study, especiall
because in Indonesia there is also an abundance of rivers and also borders with neighboring
countries for example Malaysia, Timor Leste, and Papua Nugini. Rivers are also very commo
across Indonesia, and most large cities have rivers flowing through them such as Ciliwung R
in Jakarta and the Cikapundung River in Bandung.

My thesis project would be around the Flowscapes concept, where it is expected to design
infrastructure as a landscape. If possible I plan on making my design thesis in my home cou
of Indonesia. Infrastructure as landscape to me is to design a bridge, or street furniture that
have multiple purposes. For example the bridges can act as a dam to protect high rising wat
street furniture along beaches and rivers also serve to protect the city. There is a major prob
in the city of Jakarta regarding flooding, and also the rise of the sea level (where Jakarta’s so
sinking every year). It would be an interesting project to find a solution with infrastructure as
landscape for the city of Jakarta. Let's Chat!

After getting my master degree I plan on working at a reputable architecture landscape or

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8/8/2021 LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE TU DELFT Motivation Letter
After getting my master degree, I plan on working at a reputable architecture, landscape, or
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where there are many well-known and reputable firms such as KCAP, OMA, and MVRDV wou
a great experience for me. Once I feel adequate enough, I plan on starting my on local firm in
Indonesia and my goal is to design great parks and public spaces all across Indonesia. I also
have a passion for teaching and plan on teaching architecture and landscape architecture ba
in my home country.

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