Mandi Taylor

Degree: BIArch, Minors in Architecture and Historic Preservation

Expected Graduation Date: Winter 2023

2021-2022 Scholarship
Gunilla K. Finrow Excellece in Interior Architecture Scholarship

I Am Originally From Sandy, UT

WHY I CAME TO THE UO AND HOW I CHOSE MY MAJOR
I chose the University of Oregon because of the Interior Architecture program’s emphasis on sustainability, historic preservation and human centered design. What I like most about being in the College of Design is meeting people from all over the world who share a passion for design and learning from so many different perspectives.

I chose my major after several years of going to community college part time to explore my interests and strengths. I juggled multiple jobs to continue taking classes part time, with strong interests in psychology, sociology, wellness and the arts. Ultimately, when determining a career path to follow, I realized I am a highly sensitive/creative person and I care deeply about wellness and how our built environment affects us all. I chose Interior Architecture over Architecture specifically because I want to work with existing buildings to salvage and repurpose over demolition whenever possible. I’m interested in sustainability through salvaging or restoring and recycling, as well as healthy material choices for people and the planet.

UNIQUE QUALITIES I BRING TO MY STUDIES
I am now 30 years old. Before discovering the Interior Architecture program at UO, I spent several years as a part time student in community college while juggling multiple jobs. I’m the youngest of six kids with a single mother who ran a daycare out of our home 60 hours a week. My mom raised me thrifting and yardsaling on weekends – never compromising creativity with a tight budget. She taught me that working within restrictions only made me more creative. There wasn’t money for college or any talk of it, but I knew that I loved learning and I thrived at school. So I worked in restaurants for 9 years, nannied, and picked up odd jobs in order to continue my education. I used community college to explore my interests until I landed on something that felt right. Once I found the interior architecture program and fell in love with it, it took two and half years of hard work and planning to move my life to Oregon before I could even start the program. Getting an education has not come easy for me, I have had to fight to get to where I am now, which makes me appreciate every minute of it. I do not take this experience for granted and am deeply grateful to be here.

MY INFLUENTIAL PROFESSORS
I’ve had several wonderful professors at UO that have inspired me. Solmaz Kive, Assistant Professor of Architecture, has been particularly influential for me after taking a studio with her and three Interior Architecture History classes. She is an exceptional instructor when it comes to understanding the context and big ideas throughout history. She has taught me to think critically about the role of design and the built environment in our lives. She’s inspired so much curiosity in me to learn more about history and I have a much greater appreciation for design because of it. I admire her intellect very much.

MY EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Until very recently, I worked part time on top of being a full time student. I am interested in several student organizations, particularly those focused on sustainability, the unhoused population, mental health and LGBTQIA and I participate in programs whenever I can because I care deeply about my community and contributing to it in a positive way. Contributing my time and efforts to social issues that I am passionate about brings me comfort in knowing that I am doing what I can and helps me feel connected to my community. It’s always inspiring and refreshing for me to be reminded that people do care.

MY GREATEST LEARNING EXPERIENCE AT UO
The greatest learning experience I’ve had so far at UO is working and collaborating with others in group projects. I’ve learned so much from other people’s perspectives and talents. I had never thought of myself as a leader until going through this program and having to work on so many group projects. These experiences have taught me about leadership, vulnerability, and leaning on each other for help. The steep learning curves and heavy workload has also been a major lesson in letting go of perfectionism, taking time for self care, using good time management strategies, and learning how essential vulnerability is to creativity. In many ways, it has been brutal, but I have learned and grown so much along with the people I have worked with.

AFTER GRADUATION
My greatest hope after graduation is a career that combines my passions for interior architecture, adaptive reuse, historic preservation, psychology, sociology, sustainability and social justice. My dream project would be turning an existing historic building into permanent housing for the unhoused, using principles of trauma informed design and universal design. There are so many abandoned structures that could be used to address the housing crisis. I would also love to design spaces for highly sensitive people, for aging in place, social housing, community centers, and any public “Third Place” that fosters community connection. I’ll use my College of Design education to think critically about context, carefully select healthy materials, utilize sustainable practices and collaborate with others to work toward a goal. It is also a dream of mine to own a vintage/second hand shop and studio space that promotes more eco-friendly lifestyles with space for community workshops and creative collaboration.

YOUR GIFT
This scholarship is incredibly important to me. Maintaining part time work on top of being a full time student in an extremely demanding program has been brutal to say the least. This scholarship will allow me to focus on school without having to worry about working during fall term, which relieves so much stress and anxiety for me. It allows me to be more dedicated to my education and to get more out of the program. I do not have financial security so I work extremely hard as a student in school to be eligible for scholarships like this to ensure that I can get through my schooling. I honestly could not get through the program without them.

I am deeply touched by your kindness and generosity; for caring so much to support interior architecture students through our education. Thank you so much for the gift of being able to focus solely on my education fall term. I cannot tell you what a relief that is and how much it will benefit my education and my wellbeing. Your scholarship makes me feel seen and cared for; it affirms that my hard work in the program is worth it and has renewed a sense of determination in me. Thank you, kindly. I hope that one day I am in a position to pass it on, knowing how much it means for a stranger to believe in your dreams.