Mandi Taylor

Mandi Taylor
This photo was taken on the last day of my first year of architecture school. I had grown so much in that year, was so exhausted, so happy, so inspired, and so grateful.

Degree: BArch, Minor in Historic Preservation

Expected Graduation Date: Fall 2022

I’m From: Salt Lake City, UT

Why I Came to the UO and How I Chose My Major
I researched several options around the country for pursuing a degree in interior architecture. I ended up choosing the University of Oregon because of the emphasis on sustainability and the course structure of the program. What I like most about being in the College of Design is getting the opportunity to work with and learn from people who come from all over the world. There is such a rich diversity of brilliant minds and perspectives in one place, and it’s incredibly inspiring.

I chose interior architecture for my major to gain the tools I need to re-purpose and recycle existing buildings in an effort to fight the carbon footprint of demolition and new building construction.


Unique Qualities I Bring to My Studies
I was raised as the youngest of six by a strong, independent, single mother. My mom taught me to be frugal, to thrift shop, to re-purpose, and to get creative with restrictions. Before committing to following my dream as an interior architect, I was a part time student for several years, paying for school myself while I worked multiple jobs at a time. I used my time at community college to explore my interests and strengths. I studied psychology, sociology, massage therapy, nutrition, French, and interior design before I learned about interior architecture. During this time of exploration, I worked tirelessly as a barista, as a nanny, and and in a variety of restaurant positions. Once I discovered my love for interior design, I left the food industry and sought work as an assistant to an incredible artist/concrete craftsman in Salt Lake City, where I learned about running a small business in the world of design. Inspired, I established my own LLC to offer design and drafting services while I saved money to move to Eugene and pursue my degree in interior architecture. It took me three years of saving money and planning before I could actually start the program. Since moving to Eugene and pursuing my degree full time, I continue to work to support myself by working as an administrative assistant and office manager for a construction company.

My Influential Professors
I have had several wonderful professors at the University, but Kyu-ho Ahn has been the most influential because of his passion for universal design, which has opened my mind and now inspires all of my own work. When I took Kyu-ho’s studio, he brought a unique perspective with a very human-centered approach and really pushed the importance of iterations in designing. I grew a lot as a student learning from him because he balanced hard work, discipline, and empathy very well.

My Greatest Learning Experience at UO
The greatest learning experience I have had at the University of Oregon so far is the importance of team work and learning to collaborate with people of all different perspectives and backgrounds. The work load and the learning curves can be so intense in the program. It’s been really wonderful to experience classmates coming together, learning from, leaning on, and supporting each other to accomplish the work.

After Graduation
My vision is to use what I learn at UO to work on sustainable adaptive reuse and historic preservation projects that are mission driven. I would love to work with a design collaborative that focuses on social equity within design, climate justice, universal design, and human-centered design. Some dream projects would include retrofitting historic buildings to make them more accessible to everyone, using universal design principles, repurposing an old building into affordable housing, or salvaging an abandoned building to transform it into a community center.

Your Gift
This scholarship is incredibly important in helping me achieve my goals because I am financially independent and the cost of schooling is a constant stressor as I commit to going to school full time. Finances are my biggest hindrance in receiving an education and this money will allow me to breathe a little easier through the term and focus on my studies.

Education is so important to me, and the last 10 years, I have had to fight for access to it. That fight has been very much on my own. It’s incredibly touching to receive this support. Thank you so much for believing in my education and helping me to move forward. It means the world to me.