Jihun (BAS) - Victoria University of Wellington

Jihun Kang

Bachelor of Architectural Studies

Jihun Kang

Jihun Kang came to Victoria from Christchurch to turn his interest in drawing, design and architecture into a career.

“Victoria was recommended by many teachers and architecture students who advised that it provides the most in-depth and challenging university degree. Now I’m here, I can confidently say that is the case.”

Jihun says some students love the design papers within the BAS while others dread them. “They require you to push the limits of creativity and expression. It may cost you sleep and demand energy drinks, but when it’s finished you feel really satisfied with the time and effort you’ve put in.”

Guy Marriage, the Director of Building Science in the School of Architecture, was a source of inspiration for Jihun.

“He’s incredibly passionate and enthusiastic and very interactive with students—he likes to talk to them about their work. I hope I can be just as passionate about what I do throughout my career.”

On a typical day while at Victoria, Jihun attended a range of lectures and then worked on projects in the School of Architecture’s design studio.

He said it has a great atmosphere and is a good place to get alongside other students.

“Engaging with other students that are studying the same thing and share your vision is one of the best opportunities Victoria provides—along with getting a quality degree, of course.”

Jihun said studying at the Te Aro campus is “convenient”, giving him easy access to Wellington city. “Wellington’s richness in culture, heritage and vitality are all reflected in its architecture. And, being the capital, there is a maturity about the people and the city which makes it a great environment for living and studying.”

Recently Jihun was lucky enough to spend a month and a half travelling around Japan and his home country Korea. With a degree behind him and a new found interest through his discipline, Jihun said “it was great to approach the time spent overseas beyond just travel and encounter the differences and uniqueness of foreign culture especially through architecture.”