Ann Nguyen’s decision to pursue architecture wasn’t the result of a lifelong dream or a defining moment. While art has always been a meaningful part of her life, architecture wasn’t a part of her dream until selecting a major. After deciding that pursuing both a practical and creative career was the path for her, architecture felt like a natural fit.
As she has progressed through her schooling, she has gradually begun to understand the power that architecture holds to shape and change the lives of both individuals and communities. “I learned how designers can harness this power to amplify unheard voices, empower families, and challenge the status quo,” Ann expressed. “I think what makes my path to architecture particularly meaningful is that I discovered my passion along the way. I have also found a way to use my creativity to create meaningful change.”
Ann is currently in her final year of the Master of Architecture program at University of Michigan’s Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning. She is also the 2026 recipient of MAF’s Leslie D. Tincknell Scholarship, which is awarded to a student that exhibits leadership in university and community life, and has demonstrated financial need.
For Ann, receiving this scholarship means that there are people who believe in her vision and ability of using architecture as a tool for positive social change. “As a first-generation college student raised by immigrant parents in a low-income household of five, I knew from the beginning of both my degree programs that my family would not be able to help cover the cost of my education,” she expressed. “Being fortunate enough to receive this scholarship means both greater financial support and the bandwidth to focus on my education as I continue working towards becoming a licensed architect.”
The opportunity to learn from her peers and the close relationships that have formed have been her favorite part of her program at University of Michigan. “My friends are incredibly open-minded, intelligent, and talented people who continuously inspire, challenge, and support me. They have made the intense and stressful experience of being a graduate architecture student so much more enjoyable.”
As well, Ann values the opportunity to learn from and work closely with faculty members, who have a wealth of knowledge and motivation. “Their guidance has taught me that good design is not simply about solving problems or finding an answer, but about thinking critically about impact and experience.”
What does Ann love most about architecture? “I love that architecture becomes a form of human and material expression, where it can be used to make artistic, cultural, or even political statements. Architecture can also reflect the histories, beliefs, and values of the communities they serve, while telling stories about who we are, where we come from, and what we value. Architecture can bring people together, foster a sense of belonging, and create opportunities for people not only to live, but to thrive.”
In the future, Ann hopes to have the opportunity to design residential, education, healthcare, and commercial architecture. She also has a particular interest in adaptive reuse projects, because they engage with the existing physical and social fabric of a place, while considering future potential.
As part of their MAF Scholarship application, students must include a personal statement describing their interest, experience and plans related to architecture, and their leadership and extracurricular activities. Ann highlighted her experience working as an architectural designer at NASCAR, which strengthened her interest in using architecture to navigate the intersections of culture, capital, and ecology.
Additionally, she highlighted her leadership experience as a co-founder of Coalition in Design at the University of Florida. “I worked with faculty and students to address the systemic inequities embedded within architectural education,” she expressed. “That experience reinforced the importance of amplifying diverse voices and creating spaces that prioritize inclusion.”
Currently, she is a research assistant at the University of Michigan and is contributing to a project that is seeking ways to archive personal stories and memories of demolished and soon-to-be-demolished homes in Detroit.
Students are also required to submit a personal portfolio with their application. Ann included a selection of studio projects from her undergraduate studies, professional work, and personal artwork. Through the submitted projects, she showcased her exploration of themes like inclusive and universal design strategies, modularity, mobility, prefabricated construction, self-sufficiency, and blurred boundaries between interior and exterior.
For the MAF Leslie D. Tincknell Scholarship application, portfolios must include hand and/or watercolor sketches. Ann included architectural sketches from her travels and a landscape painting, where she reflected her interest in exploring architecture and design through different scales and perspectives.
Michigan Architectural Foundation’s mission is to advance awareness of how architecture enriches life. How does Ann think architecture enriches life?
“While architecture shapes the environments in which we experience our everyday lives, it creates more than just spaces that simply serve a function. Architecture enriches life by making us feel part of something larger than ourselves, while bringing beauty, meaning, and character to our surroundings. It can give people a sense of identity, place, community, and belonging. It shapes how we feel, how we interact with one another, how we understand our past, and how we imagine our future. At its best, architecture expresses our collective creativity and wonder, while providing opportunities for access and connection.”