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Where are you from?  

I graduated from middle school and high school in Colorado Springs, and before that, I was in Seoul, South Korea.  

What inspired your decision to come to Environmental Design at CU Boulder?  

In my sophomore year of high school, I had the chance to take a drafting class that taught me how to draw an orthographic drawing of different objects and buildings in both hand drawing and the AutoCAD program. The whole process of observing an object and putting it on a piece of paper in a way everyone could recognize how it is constructed fascinated me. I even started to look forward to Mondays, which none of my other classes succeeded in doing. In my senior year, when I had to choose the major I'll pursue possibly for the rest of my life, I could not recall any other classes that fascinated me more than this class. So, I researched the best architecture program in the state, applied to CU Boulder, and now I am here.  

Did you know right away that you wanted to major in architecture? How/when did you know?  

I was taking my senior photos for the yearbook when I realized my passion for architecture. I was looking for a good place to take photos of myself with my family and suddenly I noticed a restaurant that had a very unique shape that I had never seen before. I remember it was a second story building with some parts of the second floor that utilized different geometric shapes in aesthetic ways. The first reaction I had was that I wanted the floor plan of the building, which surprised me because I wasn't in the drafting class at that moment. Due to some struggles during my COVID years, I did not get to take drafting classes in my junior and senior years and was worn out, which got me thinking it might not be my passion. But at that moment, I was confident it was indeed. 

Do you have a favorite project that you're currently working on/have worked on in the past? 

I have a few different projects I have enjoyed working on, but I think the most recent and most enjoyable project was the A3 project of Landscape Architecture which was redesigning the triangular site in between the CASE, IMIG Music, and Wendenburg building. I was able to work with various different factors of the environment to consider such as the topography of the site, the circulation of traffic around the site, the difference between summer and winter, the day and night on the site, and so on. While I was working on this project, I learned so many different perspectives and understandings that were used to analyze the need for adequate designs, which I must constantly look back on to make sure my design is focused on the users. 

What has the program taught you about yourself as you’ve taken on your educational career?  

During my time in the ENVD program, I learned what it means to give all that I got to my work. After dedicating all my free time to an A3 project in Landscape studio, I realized I’ve never tried my very best at something for a long time with dedication and passion. The strong feeling of pride, achievement, and relief when I finally finished the project is an unforgettable experience that will carry throughout my school year.   

What would you like to do upon graduating from Environmental Design?  

After graduation, I plan to focus on gaining experience in the field. But I’m still debating whether I’ll be in a firm or participating in non-profit organizations like Habitat for Humanity. But I firmly believe I’ll be learning and experiencing to be better. And my hope is that one day, after a long time in the field, I’ll be able to make a design that will be considered a landmark.  

What tips or advice would you give to future design students?  

The first few weeks in the studio, when people get to know more about each other, you will learn there are a variety of different types of people. And therefore, there will be some classmates who have way more skills and knowledge than others. I just want to say, do not compare your mistakes and failures with someone else's success and talent, since that will drain you out before you even find your own talent and success.