Mina M. Chow, AIA
Lecturer
School of Architecture
213-740-2723
minachow@usc.edu
Professor Chow has taught first and second year design studios as well as first year building science studio at USC. She also teaches architecture history, theory classes, and the professional practice curriculum at the university. She is design and managing principal of Los Angeles-based design firm MC2 Spaces, which has completed several residential and commercial design-build projects in Southern California.
She has worked for several national and local firms including SOM NYC, Eisenman Architects NYC, TsAO + McKOWN Architects NYC, and Dimitry K.Vergun, Architect and Engineer in Santa Monica, CA. At UC Berkeley, she won the Peerless Award for Architectural Design, and was on the winning design team of Professor Lars Lerup for the Amerika Gedenkbibliothek International Library Design Competition, as well as placing in other independent design competitions. While completing her Master of Architecture at Harvard University, she co-taught a graduate architecture seminar with Diane Lewis of NYC and worked extensively in architectural theory with K. Michael Hays. In Washington, DC, she collaborated on several successful multi-media projects with the late Doug Michels of Ant Farm. Ultimately, this led to her interest in expanding the awareness of architecture in the public eye. In recent years, she is focusing on her academic interests in architectural education. Imminently, she is working on media projects to expand the accessibility and presence of architecture in television, film and media.
Currently for the 150th anniversary of the American Institute of Architects, Professor Chow is providing commentary on two of the most favorite buildings in America on their outreach website:
The Shape of America: Phillips Exeter Library
The Shape of America: Cadet Chapel
Honors and Awards:
2008-2009 Visions and Voices Grant entitled "This Land is OUR land: Greening Architecture, Ethics and the Environment"
Professor Chow has won several grants towards the creation of an architecture documentary called "Off the Grid." This includes funding from the California Architectural Foundation, The Dean's Fund of the USC Architectural Guild, the USC Ambassadors, and Coe Architecture International.