I am writing to express my strong interest in being a part of your team as Intern Architect and not only contribute but also sharpen my own skills and capabilities at your firm.
This is a very important step in my life as I step out of an educational environment at Washington State University and apply myself in the real world. Although I do not have any work experience, I believe I am competent at what I do at the level I am at now. During my time at Washington State University, I built a solid foundation to put myself up for success in the upcoming years. My professional goal as of now is to earn my licensure in the next 3 years and work towards a LEED GA certification.
One of my strengths as a designer stems from my curious nature. I have always appreciated learning new design strategies and software which helped me produce higher quality products every project after another. With the foundation that I have built in the past few years, I believe I am capable of consuming knowledge efficiently and apply that to my day-to-day practice.
I am also capable of collaborating with designers with a different background and perception of architecture than myself. During my time as an undergraduate, I have had 3 group projects with 3 or more people, and in moments where there is a divide in the project, rather than pushing my idea to others or letting other team members push their ideas on to the team, I would always try to find a solution that satisfies all and usually results in elevating the overall project. Additionally, I have always put effort into and maintaining a positive work environment even through times of disagreements.
One of my goals as a designer has always been to create a space that fosters community and start human interaction. I believe working with a firm like yours with such diverse project types and sizes, I can learn about what community building through Architecture really means in the real world.
Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my skills and experiences align with the needs of the team. Please find my resume and portfolio for your review. I am available for an interview at your earliest convenience.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Warm regards,
Leo Katsuda
219 Cullum Ave, Richland, WA (509) 863 - 8408
Leo.katsuda@outlook.com
Leo Katsuda
Education
Email leo.katsuda@outlook.com
Recent Architecture Graduate Contacts
Phone number (509)863-8408
Washington State University
B.S Architecture Aug 2020- May 2024
1st year
• Basic design principles
• Hand drawings
• Design devlopment
Basic diagramming
• World Design History
2nd
year
• Introduction to graphic design (Adobe)
• Introduction to 3d design (Rhino3d)
• Sustainable architecture
• Construction materials
• Design process in construction
• Introduction to design theory
Skills
Hard
• Microsoft Office
• Adobe illustrator Photoshop Indesign
• Vray
• Revit
• Rhino 3d
• Grasshoper
• Sketchup
• Lumion
Experience
TEACHING ASSISTANT
Year
3rd year
• Introduction to Revit
• Building code and Zoning code
• Basic building systems
• Structural systems
• Modern design theory
4th year
• Civil master planning
• Interdisciplinary design
• Construction Document production
• Design Development + Schematic Design
• Design Budgeting
Soft
• Communication
• Leadership
• Time Management
• Problem solving
• Team Working
• Innovation
• Sketching
• Presentation
• Critique and provide feedback for student work
• Demonstration on several softwares
• Timely grading and feedback
• Assisting professor with the lecture
Work History
Student Manager - Part Time- May 2022-May 2024
Einstein Bro’s Bagels at Washington State University
• Train new employees
• Keeping track of all stations and whether they are operating in a food-safe manor.
• Troubleshooting issues regarding customer, coworkers, and front of the house operations.
• Properly perform EBT purchases.
Desk Assistant - Part Time - November 2021 - June 2024
Washington State University
• Check in packages that is sent to residents.
• Trouble shoot resident issues throughout the day.
• Check-in and check-out students to their assigned rooms.
Student Employee - Part Time- August 2021-May 2022
Einstein Bro’s Bagels at Washington State University
• Prepare and serve food to customers.
• Take orders from customers and run the register.
• Organize products sold at the Market.
Senior Resident Advisor - Part Time - February 2022 - Februrary 2024
Washington State University residence halls
• Provide support for resident advisors
• Hold hall wide programs of up to 250 students
• Supervise Hall government (student leader organization within a residence hall)
• Be apart of a Professional Staff recruitment and Hiring comittee and Para-Professional recruitment comittee.
Resident Advisor - Part Time - August 2021 - February 2022
Washington State University residence halls
• Create and maintain community of around 50 students
• Hold educartional programs
• Consult with students about their academic and social engagement
Ecoshell
9th on Roy St. Seattle, Washington.
Originally developed as a lumbermill in the mid 19th century grows to be the hub for ship building, coal, and timber in the mid 20th century and slowly declines its activity. Late 20th century revitalization efforts shaped SLU to the biotech hub that it is now.
Leo Katsuda
Upon researching different strategies for a double skin facade, we found that ETFE, a form of plastic is a very versatile and reliable form of material. With less risk and cost , it out-performs glass in most cases.
Air Gap
3’1 1/16”
Aluminum Facade Panel
Recessed 4”
Diameter Steel Rod
Why ETFE?
Cost is 30-70% of Glass
Curtain Wall
Mullion
ETFE Membrane
Curtain Wall Glazing
Concrete Composite Deck
Suspended ACT Hook
Suspended ACT Ceiling
Thermal Conductivity is 1/3 of Glass at 0.238 W/mk
Can be stretched 3x its length without losing elacticity.
83.5% UV Transmittance for a single layer and 71.5 % for Double Layer
Less than 1% of weight of glass and allows less structural cost
Can hold up to 400x its weight
Resistant to UV Damage
Melts before self-extinguishing
Self Cleaning with rain
Non-stick
Holes can be repared with fiire
Leo Katsuda
Connect
Steam Plant Renovation and Addition
Downtown Pullman has been declining in popularity and demand post-pandemic due to poor commute from Campus, lack of enterntainment. Connect is an attempt to answer those concerns by renovating the historical steamplant and adding a new multi-use building which houses classrooms, restaurants, and offices for local business.
The ramps and stairs are installed to allow travelling building without entering the building.
Direct path from street above to improve building use as well as responding to harsh incline.
The two atriums are inspired by the chimnies that the original steam plant housed.
Steamplant Facade Preserved by installing a glass wall in front which can also be used as a lounge space.
Original Steam Plant Shoot is used as an elevator.
Leasable
Retrofitted
Green Roof
Outdoor Ramps
Atrium
Street Access Roof
Restaurants
Classroom
Leo Katsuda
Rainier Valley Office
The Office in Seattle aims to improve user experience as well as building performance by creating an Outdoor area in the center of the office. The main focus of this project was to familiarize myself with energy efficient construction strategies as well as focusing on a tenant experience.
To improve ventilation, Rainier Valley office has an AtriumThat spans for almost 30’ x 15’. This is enough space to host semi-outdoor events for the office. Additionally, roof slope helps harvest daylight using a thin-film solar panel. The slope also improves daylight in the office duiring peak hours.
1. Thin - Film Solar Panel.
7. CLT Structural Beam.
2. Therma cork Insulation.
3. Wood Fiber Ceiling Tiles
4. Ceiling support (White Oak)
5. Interior Wall finish (White Oak Plank).
6. Hemlock- Fir Cladding.
7. Drainage cavity and air layer.
8. Glass sliding door
9. Wood Flooring on Concrete Support with wood studs
Leo Katsuda
Project Area
Farmer’s market Plaza
Planned Buildng Site
Current Building Pedestrian Access
2400 Jackson St. Complex
CLT x Pre-Fab
By utilizing CLT and Prefabricated parts, Cost reduction and quick construction is possible. Prefabrication allows flexibilty in design and can help improve design if the budget allows.
2400 Jackson St. Complex aims to foster community by creating a green walk to connect the 3 towers.
The rooms will be assembled like building blocks. The main kit of parts are 12’ 6”, 25’,37’ 6” x 10’. Holes can be punched in areas with windows and a separate facade can be installed if budget allows.
Green Roof to decrease carbon footprint and resuse as urban gardening
8’ Corridor runs in the center of the apartment.
First floor is where local businesses and shops to improve community equity.
Simple CLT runnig track connects the three towers.
Portfolio
Green roof
-Regulate temp
-Improve surrounding environment
Flexible Panel
-Any wall panel can be installed.
-Air space between the panel and CLT panel.
Cork Insulation
-Low carbon footprint insulation.
Green Balcony
-Provide outdoort space to tenants.
-Create community through interaction
Core
Leo Katsuda
Oak St. Residence
Oak St. Residence is a single family house design exploration based in northern Washington, where snowfall is common. One of the main concept upon developing the Oak St. Residence is Public vs Private in a more predominantly private environment.
The main materal palette is an Oak finish on both the interior and exterior for more private spaces and a concrete finish for the public spaces. The Oak allows the private and semi-private space to feel cozy while the concrete helps the public space to feel cleaner.
The key to this project is the hallway. It is in the center of the project and it is what separates the public and privates spaces. The image above shows the hallway on the first floor. The hallway also acts as a portal to the outdoors as the main door is located as well as having a full view to the courtyard space next to the bedroom.
