The reason why you like it

 

 

 

 

 

 

"It can be a reason why you like your liking well without reason."

 

 

 

When I talk about my major, architecture, in university there were questions like 'who is your favorite architect /what is your favorite architecture?'. It is easy to answers these questions now, but it was difficult to answer them when I was in freshman year. I felt like I should talk about something big and special and explain why.

 

 

 

After second semester of sophomore year, I traveled to England and Spain for two weeks with my sister during winter break. Before this travel, I learned Western architecture. We were excited to see the cathedral architecture in Europe. I was very interested in going to the St Paul's Cathedral in London and La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. It was great experience analyzing the factor of the architecture and the structure of this dome, the reason of this pillar, and the meaning of that piece in the wall. I could see the contents that I have studied hard. But when I ask myself‘Do you like this place?’ I would probably say ‘not really’. It was just a good place for my experience, but I couldn't feel emotions such as‘This space is awesome!’

 

 

 

After traveling Saint Paul'sCathedral and La Sagrada Familia, on the last day of my journey, I went to the Montserrat in the suburbs of Barcelona. To go to that region, I had to take the train for a while, but it had a great view of the nature on my way and this nature was the source of Gaudí's inspiration. There is a main chapel built out of the black Maria statue found on the cliffs, and when you get down on the small transport vehicle called Punicula at the chapel, a promenade emerges. I walked along this trail sculptures that were carved in cliffs. Then I was able to face a cathedral that seemed to be a small, just enough for 20 people. There were no light fixtures, so the light was dependent on small candles. One side of the building was the cliff itself and there were crosses carved on the cliffs. I can feel a subtle and moist scent coming from the candle and the cliff soil mixed with the dim inside. I am not religious but I thought it would be a nice place if I prayed here. And I realized that I love this place.

 

 

 

It is a work of famous architect. The space has a lot of room for interpretation. It is a space that is historically meaningful. These are not only the reason why I can say that I like it. We can explain the reason of good feelings in space like ‘I went there and it was just good.’ Light, incense, materials, atmosphere, environment. Feeling good in subtle detail makes us feel good before we understand why it is good. And we think it's just good. You do not have to try to make a good reason to explain that you are good. Do not think too hard. You can like it just because you like it.