STATEMENT

My educational background has shaped me to who I am today and my pride is deeply rooted from my family's history. I have attempted to put the small pieces of the puzzle together, but the stories about my grandparents swimming across the Mekong River in order to escape communism is only a small part of the conversation. Thankfully, a local church sponsored my grandparents to immigrate from Vientiane, Laos to Rittman, Ohio granting the refugees a new life to live. It is humbling to hear that the Sisouphanh family is celebrating their 41st anniversary in the United States this year. Through many obstacles, my family managed to buy less than an acre of land that cost around $12,000 at the time. And at this time my grandfather was only making $3.75 per hour. This small home of theirs carries numerous memories from four generations and counting. But the thing is, I always wondered how different the house would stand if it were built for my family in this present-day era.

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How would the architect fit a family of ten into a 1,150 square foot home?

How well would our growing family fit in this small home if we moved the walls, windows, or doors to create a new space?

Would the space encourage more interaction? Or would we create privacy?

 

Growing up in a single family home with increasing numbers certainly created character. Rightfully so, architecture has always been at the back of my mind. I spent time searching for who I wanted to be in this world and somehow my mind always traced back to the idea of innovating and problem solving. But, unlike my aunts and uncles, I had the opportunity to pursue a higher education. And I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to grow in this journey. As a first-generation college student, I am proud to be on the journey to becoming the first architect in my family. Their resilience is woven into our family’s DNA, and it’s what drives me to continue pushing forward.

 

I am confident that my unique combination of skills, experience, and education has shaped an entrepreneurial mindset that strategically enhances my approach to design, positioning me for success in the field of architecture. At my core, I am genuine and honest, with a deep passion for helping others. I strive to create meaningful impact through architectural design, using it as a tool to improve lives and contribute positively to communities.
 

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Click here for my personal statement.

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