CHRISTINE TRAN
Christine Tran is a first-generation female college graduate and aspiring architect. She is a Florida based designer who is currently pursuing her Master of Architecture, Real Estate and Urbanism at the University of Miami, School of Architecture and School of Business/Law. She holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and originally comes from a background in economic and business development.
She dreams of fighting for social and environmental justice through community-focused urban design. Specifically, in bridging the gap of affordable housing, advocating for equality, and prioritizing a sustainable future for all.
"... Architecture is essentially a framework for society’s physical, social, psychological, political, economic, and even cultural structures.”
Where are you from?
I am from Tampa, Florida #champabay!
What is your favorite dish?
My favorite dish has got to be spring rolls. They are like the tacos of Vietnam, you can put so many different things into such bite sized portions and that is the best!
Three additional fun facts
I have learned and truly seen the definition of hard work from the women in my family that come from Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. They not only lead the family with strength but also are the providers as opposed to “typical gender stereotypes or roles.” They literally work 7 days of the week and the only day they take off is Lunar New Years. Although I believe in a potential healthier work life balanced lifestyle, to see their unmatched work ethic and tenacity is nothing short of inspiring.
I currently reside in the sunshine state which is quite similar to Vietnam too! Lots of sunshine and happy people in both places. Except my family’s hometown city in Asia feels almost like village where everyone knows each other, it is all so open and close together in proximity. You can get all your daily errands done in a short walking distance and a good bite to eat while you are at it (with a wide selection from open fruit markets to a wholesome bowl of noodles all on the same block).
Vietnam is actually the cheapest country in South Asia, it is beautiful and worth seeing if you are ever in the area or thinking about it! 😉 A vacation that is surely to be a bang for your buck!
Advocating for Social and Environmental Harmony Through Design
What inspired you to study architecture?
I was inspired through my internship with the City of Lakeland’s Economic Development Council. I worked as a Business Development Intern there and had the privilege of learning about the city’s constant growth, real estate, and evolving projects on both a macro and micro scale. I had the honor to see the city through different phases of development. There was a female architect whom really opened my eyes as I got to see great amount of positive impact she created in our community through urban design. I have always been creative, but I went the traditional route in the beginning of my career pursuing a Business Administration degree. I felt discouraged to pursue anything art related because I was under the impression it was just not practical. It was not up until this opportunity arose that I realized I had the potential to combine the two (creative and organizational sides of me) together while being community focused and be a part of significant change. I quickly learned that there are many ways to do right by your community through art and design. Architecture is so much more than just aesthetics or a building… it can be used to combat gentrification, redlining, racism, climate change, inequality, and fight for a better world. I see the field as a tangible force of problem-solving, architects/urban designers are ones to constantly ask themselves questions such as, “How can we improve the quality of lives in this community?” This responsibility is so profound, humbling, and powerful. Architects quite literally shape the environment we live in… it is history and art and so much more.
Image courtesy of Christine Tran.
Name a woman architect (preferably Asian or Pacific Islander) who most influenced you as an emerging professional? Why or How did they?
Singaporean architecture has always been inspirational to me since they have a mission to be the world’s greenest city. A powerful Asian Architect that comes to mind is Angelene Chan, the CEO of DP Architects, who is actually the only woman CEO out of the top 5 architecture firms in Singapore.
She was listed as one of Singapore’s 20 leading architects under the age of 45 by the Urban, she was named P*DA Designer of the Year by President Halimah Yacob, Singapore’s highest design accolade. Among her portfolio of works are award-winning projects that she spearheaded. These include The Dubai Mall, Resorts World Sentosa and the transformation of Wisma Atria shopping mall along Orchard Road. Angelene Chan knew she wanted to become an architect at the age of 12 and has won numerous awards pursuing her passion. She represents resilience and empowerment well.
Image courtesy of Christine Tran.
Name a favorite project completed by a Woman Architect (preferably Asian or Pacific Islander). Why is it your favorite?
One of my favorite projects is a pilot project called Chototel by Rhea Silva. She is a third-generation social entrepreneur and was valedictorian from St. Xavier’s College in Mumbai and is soon to complete her law degree.
It is a hotel with tariffs that start at $2 per night and offer uninterrupted electricity, water, gas and social infrastructure including daycare, infirmaries & community kitchen and gardens. Through a diverse array of IOT, closed-loop, real-time cash transfer, digital health and Big Data technologies, the project is able to deliver efficiencies from construction through to hotel operations and maintenance. Self-help groups are elected by local members to help run hotel amenities like primary health care, community kitchens, day cares and gardens, not only creating local jobs, but fostering a sense of community and well-being. By providing affordable, secure and resource-efficient housing, Chototel can positively impact access to health care, education and employment opportunities for its residents.
It is one of my favorites mainly because of the positive socioeconomic influence it holds and provides a smart solution to a global crisis. This is a project I really respect because there is so much value it provides for the people.
Image courtesy of Christine Tran.
How does your culture/ethnicity affect your studies and the way you design?
I think that it enables me to have a different eye in life and design. Who you are impacts what you see and how you see it. Which is really what makes art, art is subjective and so diverse yet unifying all at once.
Image courtesy of Christine Tran.
Are there any organizations that helped you grow in architecture? How did they help you grow?
Since I was in a completely different career field prior to pursuing anything Architecture related, I joined a post-baccalaureate program called Studio First at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada right after my undergraduate graduation. Previously I only knew that it piqued my interest so I sought advice from many sources before completing switching careers and the main thing I received was, “Make sure it’s something that you 1000% want to do.” There are a few international introductory programs that will get you acclimated to the culture and help to build your portfolio/experience to equip to apply for graduate studies.
Image courtesy of Christine Tran.
What is your favorite memory in architecture school or work? Why?
Architecture school is extremely intense but thankfully, I have some quality, supportive and talented colleagues. It may sound bittersweet but one of my favorite moments is just coming together and facing hardship as a unit/team.
Image courtesy of Christine Tran.
If you were able to talk to your younger self, what would you say?
I would tell her to not be afraid of pursuing that may seem out of reach, even if may not make sense to other people or even herself. Whether the outcomes of the processes are positive or negative, each step forward still leads to a step in the right direction. It will always come full circle and become clearer as you progress and that is enough to be confident in and live fruitfully by. Sometimes we waste our time trying to resist our deepest desires and passions out of fear when we could instead embrace them as early on as possible. That is something I regret now that I was embarrassed being about being labeled “artsy” when I was younger when I should not have been!
Image courtesy of Christine Tran.
What would you want to say to the next generation of aspiring Asian and Pacific Islander women architects/designers?
I would want to say that they are more than capable, worthy, and valued. You deserve to celebrate yourself, embrace where you came from, to not be afraid of harsh challenges in the industry, negative voices or even resistance from those ones close to you or even from yourself. Ultimately, it is important that we integrate who we are with what we love and find our community along the way.
Image courtesy of Christine Tran.
In terms of rising concerns and problems (in the architectural profession) over the past year, what is one change that you wish would happen and it did not? This can be in an educational or work atmosphere.
I think that architecture can be a cold field at times, in which I do not think always has to be that way. I think that empathy and warmness can be incorporated more into our occupation(s). But it teaches you to not only find yourself but also stand up for yourself and your ideas. I think it can also be difficult to study in such a subjective and abstract field yet there is a lot of power there at the same time because there is so much freedom in creativity.
Image courtesy of Christine Tran.
