Jolin Tran
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Spatial Imaginations: The Reconstruction of Memory
This thesis explores Vietnam in 2150 in the aftermath of a devastating flood that erases the past, present, and future memories of the country. Using storytelling as a tool, the thesis retraces history to reconstruct the contours of the country as a way of remembering. It re-examines an unreliable memory as the starting point to rewriting the stories of the past. Through these reimagined histories, how can the future that has yet to happen, be remembered differently?
M.Arch Thesis — Exhibition
Advisors: Brian McLaren (chair), Nicole Huber (chair) & Junichi Satoh
Home Scenario
I grew up on a rice farm in the south of Vietnam. Despite not having modern amenities, it was full of warmth and I was surrounded by a tight-knit community. It was a place where we looked out for each other, a place where we shared resources with each other, and it was a place where we leaned onto each other in times of hardship. This project draws inspiration from my own personal history and weaves in elements of monastic life that focused on shared routines and responsibilities. The project reimagines the future of home where communal living thrives through the sharing of resources, responsibilities and space. While traditional monastic life is often confined within the walls of the monastery, the project envisions a more dynamic model. It incorporates an internal network of circulation that fosters connections among residents in the building, and an external network that links the members to the broader urban community.
Exploration Studio
Professor: Elizabeth Golden
The Crossing at Othello
The project centers on a hub that houses multiple programs with diverse stakeholders, all to be located under one roof in South Seattle. With different priorities at play, the design strategy is focused on simplifying and consolidating forms whilst maintaining accessibility and visibility. A 20 x 20 x 12’ grid system is implemented to provide structure, not only as the building framework, but to accommodate the human scale by providing a sense of order. The repetitive nature of the grid promotes slow movement and encourage social engagement as a way to contrast the fast-paced nature of its surroundings.
Integration Studio
Professors: Rick Mohler & Elizabeth Golden
Between Light and Shadow
For a photographer, light is an essential element, but in Seattle, it is often ephemeral and fleeting. Inspired by Jun'ichirō Tanizaki’s In Praise of Shadows, the design aims to create a spatial experience that captures the subtle interplay between light and shadows across the four seasons. The exterior and the interior spaces are inextricably linked through a rooftop aperture, bringing light into the space, but also creating shadows from the forces outside. The space not only serves as a working laboratory for a photographer during the day, but it is also a beacon of light at night, acting as a guide for resident and reflects Seattle’s maritime history.
Foundation Studio
Professors: Jen Dee & Kim Pham
Process & Progress Exhibition
Over a year in the making, Process & Progress is a month-long exhibition at Gould Gallery featuring more than 20 student projects across all levels of study in the College of Built Environments. Curated by students, for students, the exhibition explores the work behind the work that often go unseen.
Exhibition
Collaborators: Nathanel Cohen (M.Arch), Michael Olney (MS Arch/Ph.D), Qianyi Zhang (M.Arch/MS Arch)
Spatial Stories
Spatial Stories is an independent research project that explores space in the form of storytelling. From more than 30 interviews and conversations with librarians across four Nordic countries—Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark—we discussed a wide range of topics that includes emerging trends, spatial design and space planning. We touched upon the experience of working in a library, from the joys of serving others to the lasting impact of the pandemic. Through these narratives, the library is reimagined as a place rich with meaning, shaped by the interactions of the librarians and the people they serve.
Advisor: Louisa Iarocci