Scholarship & Growth

SPRING

SCHOLARSHIP & GROWTH

Empowering minds through education and charting paths to success . . .

A R C

CREDITS

CREATIVE DIRECTOR : OLIVIA SAED-BILLINGSLY

EDITOR : OLIVIA SAED-BILLINGSLY

PHOTOGRAPHER : MO REZK

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT : OLIVIA SAED-BILLINGSLY & MO REZK

REVIEWER : PETER SEBECKIS

Unlocking academic and personal potential and striving for greatness always . . .

The Southern California Institute of Architecture is a world-renowned institution that provides an unparalleled educational experience to aspiring architects. The school's rigorous curriculum and hands-on approach to learning encourages students to engage with their ideas and develop their own unique design philosophy. One of the key components of SCI-Arc's approach to education is its commitment to scholarship and growth.

Scholarship is an essential aspect of the SCI-Arc experience. The school provides students with numerous opportunities to engage in research and exploration, encouraging them to delve deeply into the field of architecture and design. SCI-Arc's faculty members are highly respected professionals who bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the classroom. Through their guidance, students are exposed to the latest ideas and technologies, helping them to stay at the forefront of the field.

Growth is another important element of the SCI-Arc experience. The school's curriculum, clubs, publications, work-study, and other programs are designed to challenge students, pushing them to explore new ideas and develop their own unique perspective. Through a series of studio courses and workshops, students are encouraged to experiment with different approaches to design, exploring new techniques and materials. This allows students to develop their own unique design philosophy, which can be applied in their future professional endeavors.

Scholarship and growth are two essential components of the SCI-Arc experience. The school provides students with a challenging and supportive environment that encourages them to develop their own unique voice in the field of architecture. Through their rigorous curriculum and hands-on approach to learning, students are able to explore new ideas and techniques, developing the skills they need to succeed in their future careers. Whether students are interested in pursuing traditional architecture, or exploring new and innovative approaches to design, SCI-Arc provides the tools and support they need to achieve their goals.

C H O L A R S H I P & G R O W T H

Gabby was born in El Salvador but raised in Inglewood, California. She understands the struggle of clashing barriers between language and cultures, and she hopes that architecture and design can help her break these barriers around the world.

Did you come straight from high school or did you transfer?

I came straight from a LAUSD high school, Girls Academic Leadership Academy.

What kind of contributions have you made to the institution?

In my opinion, I have brought a different perspective into conversations during class or during conversation with other peers/classmates. Not only opinion based but culturally and socio-economic as well. Feeling heard and comprehended has allowed me to feel comfortable sharing experiences and being able to spark change amongst the community around me.

Did you know anything coming into SCI-Arc? Do you think you have to know anything coming into SCI-Arc?

The only thing I knew was that architecture was a creative field but I didn’t know anything about what architecture meant to me and the impact I could have as an architect. Coming into SCI-Arc was definitely intimidating at first because it was my first higher education experience but as I started, I realized that you don’t need any previous experience in order to succeed; the school, professors, and staff provide each student with tailored support and guidance through each step which made all the difference and helped me gain confidence in myself and that translated into my work and academic development.

If you’re on scholarship, how do you think your scholarship has helped to advance your education and career in architecture? The scholarship has definitely provided me with the opportunity to accomplish my goals. When I received the scholarship, I also received the affirmation that I could do it, that I could accomplish my goals. The scholarship has helped me believe in myself and has relieved most financial burden, allowing me to solely focus on my education and dreams.

What are your short-term and long-term goals in terms of personal and professional growth?

Personally, I set short-term goals on the daily; and everyday my goal is to learn more about the world(s) that surround me. This will help me further advance my abilities and my perspectives when approaching design challenges, improving my personal and professional growth. In longterm, I see myself as part of firm or association who strive to better communities.

What does scholarship and growth mean to you? Scholarship and growth mean faith, confidence, and purpose. Faith in yourself and in the world around you. Confidence that change is possible and that I can be a part of it. Purpose, the scholarship allowed me to fully find my purpose in my surrounding world.

Can you tell me about a school project or studio project that you were a part of or did on your own that you’re particularly proud of? What makes it stand out?

My 2A studio project makes me really proud. It was the first project in which I really slowed down and analyzed the needs of the community before the visual design part. I understood that design has different phases to it and I was able to appreciate each one of them.

What inspired you to pursue a career in architecture, and how did you develop your passion for the field?

I always wondered what the future was going to look like for myself and for my community. Always wondered what I could do to make an impact on my community and architects such as Diébédo Francis Kéré and Alejandro Aravena inspired me and taught me that there are many ways in which architecture and design can have a vast social impact.

What strides have you made from day one to now at SCI-Arc?

At SCI-Arc I have expressed myself from day one in my designs as well as in the activities that I am part of.

Did you come straight from high school or did you transfer?

I transferred here from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. I came January 2020, right before the pandemic. So you know, perfect timing.

What kind of contributions have you made to the institution?

Nothing much, co-directed the BLM Week of Action, assisted in a handful of our highschool outreach sessions, worked on a community-focused grant proposal project, and directed two episodes of Blackspace, a podcast event for SCI-Arc students. I also was a chartering member of our NOMAS chapter, and made some changes to our guest lecture dinners while hosting for a year.

What clubs or groups are you a part of at the school?

I was lucky enough to participate and help organize different groups, like NOMAS and STUN, but truthfully I wasn’t a part of any groups at school.

Did you know anything coming into SCI-Arc? Do you think you have to know anything coming into SCI-Arc?

All I knew coming to SCI-Arc was that the bar for achievement was higher than anywhere I’ve been before, and of course it was intimidating. I came from a school of hand drafting to a school that sneezes at render productions, but that’s also why I chose it. The pressure was exciting, and I trusted it to lead to growth.

What are your short-term and long-term goals in terms of personal and professional growth? Short term, I’d like to work outside of the country, on various architecture and cross-disciplinary projects. Long-term, I’ll get my license, start my studio and spend my time organizing and developing various projects from cinematography & fashion, with a distinct focus in architecture.

Can you tell me about a school project or studio project that you were a part of or did on your own that you’re particularly proud of? What makes it stand out? My undergraduate thesis is very special to me. It’s titled City of Views: Studio District, and challenges typical studio lot typologies (think Warner Bros. Studios, Paramount, Sony, etc) in a way that integrates the production infrastructure with the urban context’s. It does this through priorities similar to that of a director’s: perspective and spatial presence. Finding a project with such real-life implications to develop and solve gave the thesis a new dimension. To show my idea I made the model by experimenting with 3D printing resin, over 30 parts in total with gradients in color and light-sensitive transparencies to create a cityscape both above and below ground.

If you’re on scholarship, how do you think yourscholarship has helped to advance your education and career in architecture? Simply put, I couldn’t have attended SCI-Arc without the scholarships I was granted. Not only that, I was given the opportunity to live outside the country, see a worldI thought was out of reach and study at another world-class studio, because of the scholarships I was granted. So I’d say it helped advance my education, a little bit.

What does scholarship and growth mean to you?

Scholarship to me is a dedication to academic pursuit and intellectual refinement. Growth is internal refinement, and a pursuit of a better version of myself.

What inspired you to pursue a career in architecture, and how did you develop your passion for the field?

I “decided” I wanted to be an architect pretty young, at around 4 years old. Looking back, I think it was my sensitivity to scale (buildings are big, but even bigger to a child) or influence of people through spaces, that made me connect with architecture. Now I see the spatial condition and my participation within it as a constant, relentless inspiration, to learn and make at higher levels.

What strides have you made from day one to now at SCI-Arc?

I’ve completely redefined my professional and educational trajectory after coming here. In three years I’ve learned more, and have had more exposure to the world than I had my entire life before. An institute dedicated to architectural thinking is exactly where I thrive, and that allowed for growth in ways I never expected in other places.

Miho Asada is a 4th year B. Arch student who is interested in working in community-driven projects.

Did you come straight from high school or did you transfer?

I transferred into 2nd year of the B. Arch program from Los Angeles Pierce College where I attended for 5 years while working full-time and received my AA in Architectural Technology.

What kind of contributions have you made to the institution?

I consider myself a voice for the students as I am outspoken and well connected with the community. I like to think I’m a hub that connects the students, faculty, staff, and alumni both within the SCI-Arc community and the community of Los Angeles.

What does scholarship and growth mean to you?

To me, scholarship and growth means someone believing in you, and doing everything you can with the opportunity you’ve been given to achieve your goals.

Did you know anything coming into SCI-Arc?

Do you think you have to know anything coming into SCI-Arc?

All I knew about SCI-Arc before coming in was that when I came to visit the school, I already felt like it was the place for me. I liked the fact that it was a smaller school and that all the students were studying architecture. I didn’t know much about how architecture is taught here; I didn’t even know what pedagogy meant until my 3rd year. It was very intimidating, especially transferring during the pandemic when everything was online. I dealt with a lot of imposter syndrome and didn’t feel like I deserved to be here.

What strides have you made from day one to now at SCI-Arc?

Finally at the end of my 4th year I feel like I have earned my place here. I have learned a lot about what my strengths are as a natural leader and how I can use them to help my community.

What inspired you to pursue a career in architecture, and how did you develop your passion for the field?

It was originally suggested to me by a friend because it was a creative field, but a big reason I decided to pursue it was because of how long it was going to take to become an architect. I have chronic depression and need to set long-term goals in life to keep me going. The more I learned about architecture, I realized that it was a way for me to use my problem-solving skills to help other people.

What are your short-term and long-term goals in terms of personal and professional growth?

My short-term goal is to put everything I have into my thesis next year. My long-term goals are honestly to pay back my loan debt while still doing something I’m passionate about. Super long-term goal is to become a philanthropist so I will be able to give back to the community that helped me get to where I am.

Can you tell me about a school project or studio project that you were a part of or did on your own that you’re particularly proud of? What makes it stand out?

My favorite studio project was a proposed campus for Ghetto Film School which is a film academy that brings film and arts education to underserved communities. I loved the project because I support what the organization is doing, and it was great to be able to propose a design for students like me who may not have had a chance to get educated in a creative field because of their financial situation. Education projects in general are very fun to me because I enjoy designing based on what the students, faculty, and staff need.

If you’re on scholarship, how do you think your scholarship has helped to advance your education and career in architecture?

I would not be here without the scholarship. I never thought that I would be able to go to college, my family couldn’t afford it, so it was never in my life plans. I couldn’t believe that someone would be willing to help financially support me to get an education. I still take out loans and typically work 2 part-time jobs during the school year, but without the scholarship it wouldn’t be enough money.

NAME : James Chidiac

FROM : Cerritos, CA

James Chidiac is a Los Angeles based designer. After Graduating with his B.Arch from California Baptist University, He worked for an award winning architecture firm Valerio Dewalt Train Associates (VDTA) in Chicago, Illinois, H&S International in Pheonix, Arizona and HDR in Los Angeles. James Chidiac now pursues his Masters of Architecture at Southern California Institute of Architecture. While working at VDTA, he collaborated with the design team to produce floor plans, architectural drawings, and renderings for client presentations. He also assisted with the technology team to produce AR architectural models in Unity. With H&S International, he collaborated with project managers to restore the Ling Po Cottage on Taliesin West. With these experiences, James has gained valuable knowledge in the construction process as well as collaboration within a team environment.

Did you come straight from high school or did you transfer?

I graduated from Valley Christian Highschool then graduated with a bachelors of arts in architecture from California Baptist University.

What kind of contributions have you made to the institution?

This past year, I was a part of a team that represented SCI-Arc at NOMAS Student Design Competition where we were finalist among 30 other schools.

What does scholarship and growth mean to you?

Scholarship and growth means to me as a opportunity to pursuit knowledge that helps me mature physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Did you know anything coming into SCI-Arc?

Do you think you have to know anything coming into SCI-Arc?

As a high school student, I was introduced to architecture through the DID program at SCI-Arc, which sparked my interest in pursuing the field further. However, when it came time to search for an undergraduate program, I found the prospect of committing to a time-intensive and financially demanding course of study to be very intimidating. I knew that I needed to do my research and find the right fit for me. While I knew SCI-Arc was amazing, the fact that it offered only one major made me uncertain if it was the right choice for me.

Can you tell me about a school project or studio project that you were a part of or did on your own that you’re particularly proud of? What makes it stand out?

One of my favorite projects that I was apart of was my teams Steel Odyssey project, “Steel Punk”. I am very proud of this project because I got the opportunity to learn how to integrate Augmented reality into the fabrication process along with designing and building a 1:1 scale artistic staircase through welding and bending metal. Projects like this are the reason why I cam to SCI-Arc.

What strides have you made from day one to now at SCI-Arc?

Making meaningful connections with people was a top priority for me when I first arrived at SCIArc. I wanted to create a personal impact and make lasting relationships with students and faculty from all programs. As I prepare to end my SCI-Arc journey, I am thrilled to say that my efforts have paid off tremendously. I have been able to establish amazing friendships with a diverse group of individuals. These connections have not only been very valuable to my time at SCI-Arc, but has been a essential part of my experience at SCI-Arc.

What inspired you to pursue a career in architecture, and how did you develop your passion for the field?

When I first embarked on my architecture journey, I wasn't sure what initially drew me to the field. I simply had a passion for design and creating beautiful, functional spaces. However, as I progressed in my career, I found inspiration in the idea of designing for the greater good. Understanding who I was designing for became a crucial part of my creative process, and I found that designing for a community or group of people was incredibly motivating. The opportunity to create a lasting impact on the lives of those around me through my designs gave me a sense of purpose and fulfillment. While I recognize the importance of designing for the client, designing for the community has become my personal inspiration and driving force in my architecture career.

What are your short-term and long-term goals in terms of personal and professional growth?

My short term goal is to find an amazing work environment that can mentor me in the right direction. My long term goal is to open up my own design firm.