A Roman Evening
Living in the center of Rome has its perks, such as the short distance between my apartment and some of the greatest architecture in the world. After my second day of school, I couldn't wait to explore the city on my own for the first time, walking around the Trastevere neighborhood nearby. I followed the river and discovered alleyways and piazzas swarming with night life. Europeans sure know how to spend their evenings.
I spent a weekend in Budapest with my best childhood friend Sharon. We stayed at an Airbnb near St. Stephen's Cathedral, and explored the city on foot for three days.
As one who obsesses over any place near a body of water and has coined the hashtag #waterandaview to memorialize every place I love, I couldn't wait to visit this floating gem of a city.
A few weeks after our class trip down South, we wandered up North, into Tuscany and the Veneto. It was the beginning of November, and fall was officially upon us. Vibrant golden leaves and nostalgic breezes welcomed us everywhere we went.
My project acknowledges reuse, and focuses on opening up the enclosed courtyard and introducing green space that would allow pedestrians to move through and explore the surrounding context, which include the old slaughterhouse, a portion of Rome's ancient Aurelian walls, and more.
I spend a lot of time daydreaming about beautiful places, and gardens are probably some of the most magical places that come to mind. When our class took a day trip to Tivoli last week, I couldn't contain my excitement as I pranced around gardens drooling at the view at every crevice of this water-filled and flawlessly landscaped city.
A bittersweet farewell to the experience of a lifetime.