CHSS Undergraduate Showcase — Interior Design Participants

Tiny House 

Presenter: Eric Tran 
Faculty advisor: Gus Vouchilas 

Casa Del Toro is a 380-square-foot tiny home nestled in the heart of Mexico. Drawing inspiration from Luis Barragán, it emphasizes clean, simple lines and the poetic interplay of light and shadow. Modest in size but rich in intention, the home is a study in stillness, geometry, and light—where every line, shadow, and surface are composed with purpose.  

The structure features a brise-soleil façade that casts ever-changing patterns across both the exterior and interior of the home. This screen encourages passive airflow, reduces heat gain, and shields the home from the sun’s harshest angles, blending form with function.  

Sustainability is embedded in every element of the design—from the use of locally sourced wood and adobe to natural insulation, rooftop solar panels, and a functional backyard patio for air-drying clothes. Casa Del Toro embraces sustainability not just as a feature, but as a way of living—reminding us to adopt a slower, more connected relationship with the natural world. 

Japanese tiny house model 

Presenter: Andre Leblanc 
Faculty advisor: Gus Vouchilas 

This creative work is a custom build of a tiny house meant to be located in the rural Japanese town of Shirikawa-go. 

Residential Tiny House 

Presenter: Nyra Oeun 
Faculty advisor: Gus Vouchilas 

Tiny house project 

Presenter: Chit San The 
Faculty advisor: Gus Vouchilas 

Southern California Modern Home 

Presenter: David Vi Boi Huynh 
Faculty advisor: Gus Vouchilas 

Comfort is key, with soft textures, natural woods, and tactile materials chosen to create a warm and welcoming feel. The thoughtful use of space brings a sense of peace and security, as natural light, clean lines, and open spaces all contribute to a peaceful atmosphere. This home’s design draws on the Danish concept of “Hygge” by creating a place where the family can slow down, enjoy each other’s company, and experience the simple joys of life.  

Located in a lush, tree-lined Southern California neighborhood, this 1961 ranch-style home undergoes a thoughtful transformation to meet the dynamic needs of a modern family of six. A newly added second story introduces four minimalist yet cozy bedrooms, while maintaining the home's original low-slung profile and enhancing its sense of flow through clean lines and linear forms.  

The open kitchen becomes the heart of the home, where the parents can share their passion for cooking in an expansive space that seamlessly connects to both a casual and formal dining area. Extensive use of large windows floods the home with natural light, blurring the lines between the indoors and outdoors while ensuring privacy through careful landscaping and strategic window placement. Every design element is created to support the rhythms of modern family life, embracing sustainability, emotional well-being, and aesthetic clarity. This home offers a timeless sanctuary where beauty meets practicality, and where simplicity enhances the joy of everyday living. 

Urban Minimalism: Design for a Tiny Tokyo Home 

Presenter: Sophia Reinis 
Faculty advisor: Gus Vouchilas 

This residential design project is inspired by wabi-sabi, the Japanese philosophy that celebrates simplicity, imperfection, and the beauty of natural elements. In response to Tokyo's rapid urbanization and the rising tide of consumerism, this 300 sq. ft. tiny home embraces the idea that "less is more", proving that comfort and meaning can be found in simplicity and mindfulness, while demonstrating that comfort and functionality can coexist even in the smallest of spaces. The design features a striking glass brick facade that allows natural light to filter into the Zen Garden at the entrance, creating a calming atmosphere while also acting as a sound barrier from the surrounding street noise. Inside, the space is carefully arranged to maximize functionality while maintaining a calm, uncluttered aesthetic. A large operable skylight spans the roof, offering natural light and fresh air. Traditional elements, like a Japanese soaking tub in the bathroom, contribute to the peaceful atmosphere and honor the simplicity of Japanese design. By embracing wabi-sabi, this project shows how a small, thoughtfully crafted space can offer comfort, tranquility, and a sense of home in the heart of an urban landscape. 

Interior Design Projects

Faculty advisor/course instructor: Soheyla MojammadiGorgi
Entry #11

Residential Remodel Project

Faculty advisor/course instructor: 640 Residential Interior Design & Architecture Studio
Entry #32

The work presented is from a residential design project that students were presented with to work through specific design constraints and produce a full Construction Document set. Students were challenged to work within the existing footprint. We worked from the Programming & Schematic Design through to the Construction Document phase with another student as our clients so we needed to fulfill their design wishes, satisfy the brief, and also use our design prowess to produce a functional and thoughtful design.

Project Da Silva

Faculty advisor/course instructor: Gus Vouchilas
Entry #14

This rocker's mid-20s edge spills into her home. A record collector with a love for retro, she craved a 70s lounge vibe. We channeled that in a bespoke hobby room for her artistic passions – sewing and painting. Ample storage and natural light create the perfect canvas. Vintage touches like retro sewing machines and cheetah print wallpaper add character. This project celebrates personal expression. By blending 60s/70s nostalgia with modern flair, we made a home that reflects her unique personality and fuels her creativity.

Costa Rica Tiny House

Faculty advisor/course instructor: Gus Vouchilas
Entry #6

This tiny house design project, set in the stunning scenery of Costa Rica, demonstrates the potential of sustainable construction and energy efficiency in small living spaces. The use of concrete as a building material offers the added benefit of thermal mass, helping to keep the interior cool in hot weather and reduce the need for air conditioning. In addition to this, the tiny house incorporates a range of energy-efficient design features to further enhance its sustainability. One of these features is the use of high-performance windows and exterior shading elements, which reduce the amount of direct sunlight entering the building, decreasing heat gain and improving energy efficiency. The addition of cool roofing materials further contributes to the house's energy efficiency, reflecting sunlight and heat away from the building and reducing overall temperatures. Despite its small size, this tiny house also includes a full kitchen, thanks to the clever use of space beneath the staircase. This feature not only maximizes the use of the small space but also incorporates modern amenities such as a stove, oven, and refrigerator. Outdoor living is a crucial aspect of Costa Rican life, and this tiny house design project embraces this by offering ample outdoor space. The ground level includes a full outdoor kitchen and dining area, perfect for entertaining guests and enjoying the beautiful surroundings, while the second level boasts a large wrap-around deck for relaxation and soaking up the sun.