Cornell AAP's Ingrid Hikaru Evenson on Art, Disaster Relief, and Making Every Second Count With Any Opportunity

By Julia Gamolina

Ingrid Hikaru Evenson is a fourth-year architecture student at Cornell University College of Architecture, Art, and Planning, pursuing a professional degree in Architecture. Her interests include interdisciplinary design, urban scale design, disaster relief projects, as well as art installations and curation. Born and raised in Tokyo, Japan, she has been exposed to Japan’s ever-changing architectural styles, the evolving cityscape of Tokyo, and its various adaptations to natural disasters.

JG: Why did you decide to study architecture?

IHE: Ever since I was young, art has always been an abundant part of my life; gallery hopping, visiting exhibitions, you name it. Being half Japanese and half American and attending International and American schools in Japan, I constantly felt muddled about where I belonged. At school, I felt accepted, with classmates from all over the world with similar backgrounds, but the second I stepped out, I felt uncertain about whether I fit in; it was easy to feel like an outcast. But this difference made me who I was; diving into the artistic realm of Japan directed me to realize the beauty in the vagueness of identity and understanding myself.

Growing up in Tokyo, Japan, I had the opportunity of being exposed to an infinite variety of arts ranging from traditional to modern. Not only confined to architecture but the enormous array of food, fashion, ceremonial practices, to calligraphy. The tranquility behind these arts made me believe their intersection assembled a meshwork that led to architecture.

What was the favorite project you worked on in school? Favorite paper you wrote? Favorite extracurricular?

My favorite projects at school were the ones with the most flexibility but also had a gradual structure throughout the syllabus. This subsequent design process determines how I work today as well as how I engage with the environment. In my fall semester of 2020 with Dasha Khapalova, we were a part of the Baird Prize competition, where I was fortunate enough to win second place. We were offered a week to produce a model, a set of drawings, and any supplementary materials. Our site was located above the Ithaca Falls in NY, and I was fascinated by the acoustic surroundings and how to accentuate and mitigate them. My model, sitting next to me as I write, focused on these invisible rays from the three sources: Ithaca Falls, the gorge, and the Carl Sagan House. Though we had no academic assistance the week of the Baird Prize, it was stimulating getting to do anything we aspired to do while still following the brief.

In the following semester, our studio was based around creating a boathouse on the Finger lakes Region of Ithaca, specifically Cayuga Lake, with Luben Dimcheff. The main focus was curated on how this boathouse can be used to engage both the visitors as well as the rowers, while speaking to the surrounding existing buildings around the site. When visiting the site, the surrounding buildings being both low and very long across the land were very intriguing as they fully engaged with the water. This project has a deep place in my heart as I feel like it was a starting point of discovering how I like to display and illustrate my thoughts through a visualization style I cherish the most.

“Whether it’s delightful, grieving, exciting, relieving, or comforting, a space or a project should have a deeper footing into why the space is formed in such a way and what it can serve.”

— Ingrid Hikaru Evenson

My most recent and treasured project was a community center located in Coney Island, NY, with Pablo Sequero Barrera. Using “debris” found on the site of the New York Aquarium, I was intrigued by the history of the flashing billboards and facades that built the People’s Playground in Coney Island. Though behind all these facades, there is a hidden parallel reality concealing the truth of the real world. To keep the park flourishing, the mechanics, trash, disheveled rides, rats, and unused materials were to be hidden in the rear of all these lively facades. By disregarding these buildings' facades, we can unleash the real life behind them, exposing what made the People’s playground.

What I enjoyed the most about these projects was how I started finding my way of representing architectural concepts I developed, and how I can build upon what I have learned throughout not only academia but experience and inspiration through other artists and exhibitions. Nothing can be more satisfying than enjoying and loving what you have produced with the assistance of great professionals I had the privilege to work with!

What are some of the initiatives you’ve focused on in school, and why?

When in school, I always want to focus and create a space where individuals can fully interact and engage with the site, both through physical aspects as well as an emotional one. Whether it's delightful, grieving, exciting, relieving, or comforting, a space or a project should have a deeper footing into why the space is formed in such a way and what it can serve.

When searching for internships and jobs, what are you looking for?

What I find most important about where I intern is somewhere where I can grow; somewhere that will keep me on my toes, push me, and not only advise me in technical aspects of design but also add value to what I am learning every day. This summer at Ennead Architects, I really felt motivated to pursue this career in architecture and inspired me to continue creating an even stronger foundation and adapt the skills I have learned during my internships and school for the future.

In my past internships I have had the honor of working in different realms across the architectural industry: art installations, curation, interior design, architectural design. Being able to experience the different ranges of occupation that I can be a part of has really been inspirational to me, and most importantly made me extremely delighted.

“Disaster relief has always been a large part of my life living in Japan. After experiencing the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami when I was ten years old, I was exposed to a part of architecture where I did not see before. Design can be manipulated not only for aesthetics and functionality but for crucial use seen in humanitarian work.”

— Ingrid Hikaru Evenson

What’s important to you? What inspires you?

My groundwork throughout my life has been the most important part for me, leading me to exactly who I am now —gaining experience, being inspired by other works by artists and architects, and being passionate and true to myself. Every time I return back home, I take every minute to visit as many exhibitions and galleries as I can; at times, three or four a day. The beauty in life I see everyday inspires me as well. Street signs to remnants on the ground, I constantly have the desire to find value in everything and enjoy every moment.

Disaster relief has always been a large part of my life living in Japan. After experiencing the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami when I was ten years old, I was exposed to a part of architecture where I did not see before. Design can be manipulated not only for aesthetics and functionality but for crucial use seen in humanitarian work. In 2018, during my internship at Shigeru Ban Architects, I was able to contribute and participate in a disaster relief located in West Japan after a flooding. With V.A.N, a branch of SBA, I volunteered in the construction of temporary paper-tube divider units for evacuation centers in Okayama. Through this experience, I was able to see first-hand how architecture can alter many lives even in a short period of time.

Coney Island Community Center Concept Diagrams

What do you hope to do in your career?

This question constantly lingers in my mind. I have so many interests that I don't know what to consolidate them into! I want to delve deeper into all my interests, from art to curation to architectural design, and though it is still very ambiguous, it's the perfect reflection of what I have achieved and where I want to take it all!

Who are you admiring right now?

I’m not sure if I can pick a single person but most importantly I am admiring my parents, my siblings, and my friends that I am so lucky to have. Even with different interests, everyone I interact with in my daily life influences me every second. I always try my best to make every second count with any opportunity I have; you never know who will inspire you when! Everyone has treasured views that can add on to yours and constantly educate you.

What advice would you give to those in high school now, choosing their field of study?

Make every second count! Though there are days when I feel like that is hard to do, I try my best to experience every moment, connect with my peers, and have fun. Not knowing what you want to study in college, or the future is OK; life is a constant adventure. I discovered that architecture was where my tangled web of interests led, and I still question if this is what I want to do. However, as I attended architecture school and several internships, I started understanding how whatever I do will lead me to the right place. So, never stop limiting yourself and reach out for every opportunity - again, have fun!