Jennifer Borriello
J. Borriello - Il mondo dell’architettura, passo dopo passo
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Jennifer, 22, attended the Cantonal School of Commerce in Bellinzona and then decided to change direction, as design and construction had always intrigued her. Although she initially thought about studying Interior Architecture, she ultimately chose the Bachelor of Arts in Architecture. She can’t wait to return to construction sites to see buildings take shape in real life, perhaps together with her three favorite classmates.
What was your approach to design?
Already in the first week of the first semester at SUPSI, I started making my first sketches by walking around Mendrisio [the Campus is located in Mendrisio] and drawing various views. Back in class, in small groups, we had to create models following specific parameters. For me, everything was new: at first I felt a bit lost, but then I started to enjoy it and understood where to begin and how to proceed. Of course, as time went on I began designing models on my own. You understand spatial relationships and dimensions, you deal with every phase of the work, you see your project evolve, and sometimes you have to completely change what you’re doing. But when you reach the end and look at your model, you think, “Wow, this is my work, I made it from scratch”. It’s really rewarding. The hours dedicated to design are definitely my favorite, because I can develop my ideas.
Which other subjects do you particularly enjoy?
Definitely “Construction technology”, a rather complex subject, but very interesting, because it allows you to understand construction processes, materials, and how elements such as foundations or building walls are put together. I can’t wait to go to construction sites to see with my own eyes what we design in class: I believe everything becomes much clearer on site, by seeing buildings directly. Another real surprise was “History of architecture”. I never liked history, but architectural history fascinates me and opened up a completely different world from what I expected. Now, I understand what I see, and it’s a great feeling to know the history hidden behind the buildings in our cities and towns.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about enrolling in the Bachelor of Arts SUPSI in Architecture?
It’s a program that teaches you a lot and helps you grow. I came from a school that had absolutely nothing to do with architecture, but I was able to learn and challenge myself. I use the knowledge I’ve gained and apply it to my projects, and I’ve realized that I’m in the right place and that with commitment and consistency I can achieve great results. To anyone considering enrolling, I’d say: give it a try even if you have doubts, because architecture is a fascinating field that evolves over time and brings a lot of satisfaction. You can put your own stamp on it and leave a mark, it becomes something of your own. It’s also helpful to talk with lecturers if there’s something you don’t understand. In short, it’s important to ask questions, take risks, make mistakes, because that’s exactly what helps you improve and learn.
Is it a privilege to be able to design the spaces where we live and move?
Yes, it is. I really like housing, and maybe one day I’ll have my own studio and design private homes. It’s an emotion as well as a privilege. People experience different emotions and sensations in different places. I definitely want to focus on design, and in the future I’d also like to work on the details of interior spatial design… who knows, maybe I’ll continue my educational path with Interior Architecture, which was my original idea.
After earning her diploma at the Cantonal School of Commerce in Bellinzona, Jennifer completed the APA-Assisted Practice Year, with a professional internship recognized and organized by SUPSI, before starting the Bachelor of Arts in Architecture.