What Hao Wu says about the Master's in Architecture
Hao Wu from China
Could you tell us a bit about your educational background?
"This is my third Master's degree. The previous two were in product and furniture design, one in China (Nanjing Forestry University) and one in Finland (Aalto University)."
Why did you choose Lund University and why did this particular programme appeal to you?
"Firstly, because I lived in Finland, I already have a good understanding of the Nordic living environment, and secondly, because Lund is famous for its architectural design programme that I thought would also suit my values."
What do you think of the teaching style and the way of studying here? What are the lecturers and professors like?
"The teachers here are very easy-going, and the arrangement of the school's majors is very reasonable and thoughtful because there are many directions of architectural design to choose from. We studied in different studios for one and a half years, and felt the diversified atmosphere, which will be helpful for our future work."
Have you been able to gain any practical experience during your studies so far?
"Yes, a studio project arranged in spring 2021 taught me the close connection between architectural design and construction structure, and the teacher had very specific guidance for the node design of architectural design throughout the project. It was a good experience for me, and especially for some of the other students who hadn't worked before their studies, to get a feel of the design process in the workplace. In addition, the spatial experience course in fall 2021 taught me the other side of parametric design, not only the 3D printing technology and the study of algorithms but more importantly the generation of the underlying logic, which is a new logic of architectural design generation."
What it is like to be an international student at Lund University and how international is your programme?
"I have enjoyed meeting a lot of like-minded people from Europe, Asia, and North America. I think the architecture programme is very international and I am surrounded by a balanced number of students from different countries."
What is studying in Sweden like compared to studying in your country/other countries you studied in?
"Compared to studying in Finland, there is more detailed planning, more teamwork and sometimes more efficiency. My previous studies in furniture design required a lot of individual work whereas, in the Architecture Department at Lund University, we work more as a team which means you also get to practice teamwork and communication skills."
How do you like living in Sweden? Did you feel welcome here? What surprised you most about Sweden?
"Sweden has a more diverse culture and richer business atmosphere than I expected. I get to experience the different lifestyles of different students which gives me a great and diverse understanding of Eastern and Western cultures."
What are you planning to do after your studies?
"I have my architecture office, so I will continue to run that and hope to get more good projects and work with different firms. If I get the chance, I may apply for a PhD in architecture to continue my research studies."

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