Building Wonders and Bridging Worlds: Reflections on Architecture, Superpowers, and Sustainable Construction

Describe a building that inspires you and share what makes it your favorite. How does its design, history, or function resonate with you?*

When I ponder about a building that resonated with me my mind immediately drifts to the Taj Mahal, standing at 240 feet this architectural wonder made of white marble, red sandstone, and many precious and semi-precious stones sparks of sense of curiosity in me I wonder how different components like symmetry and intricate detailing came together to create such a masterful piece of architecture. The building’s history specifically speaks to me as I am a person of Indian origin and view the building as a way to understand not only the history of the country but a different component of myself. Another question that resonates with me is the ethical implications of the building. Who built it? What were the lives of the artisans and laborers who worked to create this wonder? While the Taj Mahal is celebrated for its mystique and wonder, I often find myself reflecting on the untold stories of the workers whose skill and dedication brought the vision to life. 

If you woke up with a superpower, what would it be, and how would you use it to make a positive impact?

If I woke up with superpower I would choose the ability to share memories with other human beings. This power allows people to build understanding on what it feels like to be the other person and walk in their shoes.  The power also allows traditions of different cultures to pass down through elders by the transferral of memories. This function of the power speaks specifically to me as growing up in America far away from my homeland led me to lose parts of culture and my identity. Lastly the superpower could also aid in education to provide first hand knowledge and experience instead of lectures improving the education system of the world. 

A construction method that fascinates me is modular construction, a building method that involves prefabricated components that are assembled on-site. This method is perfect for when tradition construction methods are not feasible This building method has multiple advantages including being cheaper than regular construction, modular construction can be cheaper than regular construction, modular construction has proven to be more durable and Modular construction can be more sustainable than traditional construction due to ability to  of utilizing fewer materials/resources and reducing waste  through methods such as precision efficient recycling and a controlled environment.