California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
SKILLS
Software
AutoCAD -----------------------------
Revit ----------------------------------
Rhino ---------------------------------
Sketchup -----------------------------
Enscape ------------------------------
Twinmotion ---------------------------
Lumion --------------------------------
Photoshop ----------------------------
InDesign ------------------------------
Microsoft Office ----------------------
Other Skills
Physical Modelmaking --------------
Wood Fabrication --------------------
Hand Drawing -----------------------
Metalwork ----------------------------
ABOUT ME
I am a a current fifth-year Architecture student at Cal Poly SLO. Growing up in Pearl City, Hawaii, I was fortunate to be raised in paradise and have the spirit of Aloha engrained in me.
In Hawaii, there is the idea of “kuleana,” or responsibility. It tells of your responsibility to give back to your community, to progress forward and to ensure there is a positive future for the next generation. Architecture is how I aim to give back.
Through thoughtful and intentional design, architecture can be sustainable, pleasant experiences that address current day issues. Architecture is the creation of space and how users interact within these spaces. As a designer, I aim to create places that allow the optimal experience for the user.
Outside of Architecture, I love watching baseball, playing pickup basketball, going to the beach and hanging out with friends.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Design Partners Inc. - Summer Internship
June 2022 - September 2022
Honolulu, HI
RIM Architects - Summer Internship
Junbe 2023 - August 2023 Honolulu, HI
LDP Architecture - Off-campus program Internship
February 2024 - April 2024
San Francisco, CA
WCIT Architecture - Summer Internship
June 2024 - September 2024 Honolulu, HI
CONTACT
Email: ethannagamine5151@gmail.com
Phone: 808-382-6617
Homegrown
Class: ARCH 352-353
Professor: Danny Wills
A project looking into large scale residential with an additional program of our choice. The project started as an individual proposal and turned into a partnership during Spring Quarter. Our site was located in Ojai, California on a large ranch that was primarily large expanses of field. The project developed into the large residential program paired with a farm-to-table educational center aimed at teaching residents and the surrounding community about growing and cooking their own food. My partner and I explored the use of natural materials, particularly rammed earth as a wall system and created a 1-to-1 model to test the durability, thermal capabilties and visual aesthetic of the wall. Our overall concept was focused on a curved form that framed views to create dynamic apartment and program spaces.
Precedent studies of rammed earth construction
Site Plan showcasing view lines and parking layout
Second Floor Plan highlighting program and residential sections as well as communal spaces
Typical Floor Plan layout with residential units
Overall Axonometric
Program diagram highlighting private (dark brown) with public (light brown) spaces
MEP Axonometric
Structural frame axonometric
1:1 Scale Rammed Earth Wall Detail
Jason Montejo, Ethan Nagamine, Nikki Nee & Kenn Nguyen Studio Wills | ARCH-353-06 | Spring 2023
Top & Bottom Earth Block
1-to-1 scale model of rammed earth wall
Model
Detail section + Elevation Residential units with rammed earth construction
Renders of unit and community gardens
Central Court
Class: ARCH 452-453
Professor: Mark Schatz, Megan Lizzaraga, Fernando Marti
A project during my off-campus program in San Francisco. It was a project redesigning the current San Francisco DMV site at the edge of the Panhandle. The program included a new DMV, multi-family housing and community programs. My project focused on creating a sense of security to residents, minimizing the building height and allowing natural light to communal spaces. The design incluides a mix of flats and townhouses with a two-story DMV as well as a plethora of communal spaces within the courtyard.
DMV entry from intersection of Broderick St. and Fell St.
Lobby entry from intersection of Baker St. and Fell St.
Looking into courtyard from the street
Street view looking down Oak St.
Communal spaces in courtyard
Mosaici
Class: ARCH 451
Professor: Tom Rankin
A project during my study abroad in Rome. My partner and I were tasked with redesigning an L-shaped site that runs along an elevated railroad track and also ramps down to touch the Tiber River. The program included a multitude of elements, including bike repair, cafe, markets, public space and a program of our choice. The big design opportunities were the requirements of a hybrid building along the railroad along with a redesigned pathway down to the river. While we worked together on all design decisions, I did most of the production for the hybrid building that we designed on site. Overall, we drew a lot on site conditions like views, access to the river, and circulation throughout the site. Our programs were influenced by the rich art and cultural scene located across the river. We drew heavy inspiration from the art and artisan culture around Rome, hence the name Mosaici, which describes the gridlike “mosaic” patterning that was used to landscape and design the hybrid building. We created lots of artisan spaces as well as circulation paths and open green spaces that link Roman history and the current Roman culture.
Initial Grid Overlay concept onto landscape and hybrid building Inspiration collages of mosaics and street art
Diagram of hybrid building inspiration
Render of public art wall
Render of atrium space in hybvrid building Section of
I’ve been fortunate to be able to intern at a variety of architecture firms covering a wide variety of tasks and skills. These tasks have been both design and technical, allowing me to see the entirety of the design and construction process. Design work includes material renders, schematic facade layouts, custom light fixture models, diagrams and bathroom layouts. Technical works include detail drawings, feasibility and code studies, schedules, OAC meetings and digital drafting through Revit or AutoCAD.
Design Partners Inc.
RIM Architects
Wave Energy Research Center
Class: ARCH 252
Professor: Chris Allen
A project during my second year looking at a wave energy research center placed on the jetty at Morro Rock. As my favorite school project, the form was inspired by the crashing of waves. The program includes sleeping quarters, educational and research spaces and viewing spaces. The project also focuses on the integration of people and nature, offering spaces to feel the impact of waves as well as the center point of the project that allows tides and waves to rush through the site.
Parti Diagram
Physical Model
Off-Campus Program Sketching
Class: Cal Poly Architecture in Rome, SF Urban
Professor: Tom Rankin, Mark Schatz
Sketches from my times in my off-campus programs in Rome and San Francisco. In this time, I developed my hand sketching skills and experimented with new mediums like watercolor painting. There are a variety of different items of sketch from details to whole buildings, diagrams and perspectives and lots of views to further progress my skills.
