Archinect
David Takahashi

David Takahashi

Los Angeles, CA, US

 

About 

Currently a fifth year B. Arch student studying at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA, I’ve had a myriad of opportunities to expand my knowledge and interest across many design fields and applications. I have been involved with the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) since my second year, being the graphic designer for a year and then the chapter president the following year. As such I worked alongside the AIA LA chapter and USC’s Architectural Guild to organize firm visits, panel discussions, and help with the school’s Career Week and accreditation. Furthermore, I have earned more than six scholastic awards and scholarships including a summer research stipend to work alongside Jennifer Siegal on an exhibition at the Kaneko Museum in Omaha and the George H. Mayr Traveling Fellowship by which I was able to studying population decline and its effects on the urban environment in Japan for a month. Prior to that I was able to intern at the Office of Mobile Design (OMD) for more than a year, honing my skills in architectural drawings and exhibition submissions, and traveling to San Francisco to work with a client. In addition to my studies in architecture I am minoring in Communication Design in order to gain experience in graphic design and various forms of advertising and visual relations. 

Elsewhere:

Employment 

USC Leavey Library, Los Angeles, CA, US, Student Navigation Assistant

Working at the information desk in one of the University of Southern California's main libraries, I help patrons with technical, navigation, and research issues that they may encounter. Working in the Upper Commons of the library, I'm the first to handle computer/printing issues, as well as disputes and other complaints or questions visitors may possess.

Aug 2011 - current
 

Office of Mobile Design with Jennifer Siegal, Venice, CA, US, Architecture/Design Intern

Working alongside the owner and principal architect of the Office of Mobile Design, Jennifer Siegal, I worked on various design proposals, as built drawings, construction drawings, and an exhibition submission. Projects ranging from California to Nebraska to South Korea, this internship allowed me to gain further experience in Revit and the Adobe Suite, and sent me to San Francisco to work alongside a client on updates to a pre-existing condominium and house in Fairfield.

May 2013 - May 2014
 

Education 

University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, CA, US, BArch, Architecture

Enrolled in USC's NAAB accredited five-year undergraduate program, it is designed as a comprehensive preparation for entry into the architectural field. The first three years provided a foundational understanding in design, physics, structure, history, and other focuses. The last two years, consist of more advanced, independent studies, culminating in a year long Comprehensive Studio “thesis” and Research Seminar. In addition the the design studios taken each semester, I’ve taken courses focusing on furniture design, photography, LEED certification, landscape design and the urban environment, and lighting and acoustics. Furthermore,, minoring in Communication Design, alongside my major in architecture, has allowed me to take courses in the Annenberg School for Communication, Roski School of Art and Design, and the Marshall School of Business. Taking things from typography and design to advertising. Lastly, this previous summer I was able to study for a month throughout Japan through the George H. Mayr Traveling Fellowship.

Aug 2011 - current
 

Awards 

George H. Mayr Traveling Fellowship, Scholarship

Consisting of a $5000 stipend to study in a country of our choosing. My proposal was analyzing the issue of population decline in Japan and its effects on the urban environment. In late May I traveled to nine different Japanese cities for a month looking a various designers, projects, and proposals that tried to deal with the issues and their cultural impacts.

2015
 

John V. Mutlow Scholarship in Housing, Scholarship

2014
 

Summer USC Research Stipend, Scholarship

Consisting of a $1500 stipend from the University of Southern California to continue my work alongside Jennifer Siegal, owner of the Office of Mobile Design. I worked on her submission to KANEKO's exhibition Truck-A-Tecture, which examines architecture as redefined by mobility and technical expansion.

2014
 

Gittleso Award, Scholarship

2013
 

Gelber Scholarship, Scholarship

2012
 

Sackley Architectural Scholarship, Scholarship

2012
 

Areas of Specialization 

Skills