Anh Vi, a fifth-year architecture student at Drury University, sees architecture as a force that shapes lives, fosters connections, and strengthens communities. She prioritizes equity and accessibility, designing spaces that invite people in, encourage interaction, and cultivate a sense of belonging. For Anh, a sense of belonging has been crucial to her work and her identity at Drury.
“Joining organizations like the International Student Association (ISA) and the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMAS) helped me find my people. In my third year, I was president of ISA, and planning the food festival was such a fun experience.”
As a member of the (NOMAS), she connected with a network dedicated to empowering underrepresented voices in the field. Rooted in a legacy of activism, NOMAS champions justice and equity in design, ensuring that architecture serves diverse communities. This mission aligns with her own goals — using thoughtful, sustainable design to address social and environmental challenges, both in Springfield and her home country of Vietnam.
“NOMAS helped me network with alumni and understand each other’s struggles and valuable insights in the field of architecture.”
Growing up in Vietnam, Anh experienced firsthand the power of strong communities and how cultural heritage influences how people connect with their surroundings. Inspired by this, she strives to design spaces that honor tradition while embracing innovation. She is deeply committed to preserving Vietnam’s craft heritage — ceramics, textiles, and lacquerware — by weaving these artisanal traditions into modern architecture.
“Architecture is about more than just creating buildings; it’s about creating experiences,” Anh says. “I want my work to bring people together, foster a sense of belonging, and inspire future designers to prioritize people and community in every project.”
At Drury, Anh has worked on impactful projects, including a multi-use community center designed to be inclusive and sustainable. Influenced by Vietnam’s communal approach to architecture, she integrated open-air courtyards, passive cooling techniques, and handcrafted design elements. Developed alongside peers and faculty, the project emphasized green roofing and flexible gathering spaces, ensuring that it serves many people and fosters human connection.
Anh’s ability to see potential, design thoughtfully, and bring creativity into a design studio as an international student is crucial to enhancing our collective perspective at Hammons School of Architecture (HSA). She sees form, space, and materiality with an amazing ability that is rare and unique. It is bolstered how she approaches the liberal arts. She brings diversity, curiosity, and passion into everything she does, and it shows.”
Anh’s passion for community extends beyond her design work. As an active member of student organizations and mentorship programs, she supports younger students in navigating architectural education, reinforcing the idea that strong communities exist within and beyond the built environment. As she looks ahead to her career, Anh wishes to eventually return to Vietnam and apply what she has learned at Drury to provide services to her community.
“I want to take what I’ve learned and bring it back home. Vietnam’s pollution problem is something I’ve always been aware of, and with my background in architecture and urban planning, I believe I can contribute to making real changes,” she says.
She remains committed to architecture that does more than stand — it connects, uplifts, and inspires. She envisions a future where every building tells a story of the people it serves, where design strengthens community bonds, and where architecture becomes a bridge between past and future, tradition and progress.
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DRURY MAGAZINE SPRING 2025
PUBLISHER
Drury University
Dr. Jeff Frederick, President
MANAGING EDITOR
Janet Rock
DIGITAL EDITOR
Max Prater
WRITER / EDITOR
Rex Ybañez
DESIGNER
Janet Rock
PANTHER TRACKS EDITOR
Charles Taylor
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Cris Belvin
Drury Magazine, a publication for alumni and friends of Drury University, is published twice each year. The mission of Drury Magazine is to engage readers in the life of the university, reflect the university’s values and capture the intellectual curiosity and distinct community that is Drury.
The views presented do not necessarily reflect or represent those of the editors or the official policies of Drury University.
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