09/21/2026
Our popular series is back, meet Mizuki Ono (M.Arch I, 2028)!
Growing up in Tokyo, Mizuki Ono first left home for Perth, Australia, where she pursued a degree in Environmental Design. Along the way, she also made time for some unexpected electives: including ukulele and mountain biking! 🎸🚵♀️
After graduating, Mizuki spent a gap year interning in Australia before returning to Japan, where she worked at a Japanese architecture firm. But her interest in architecture goes back much further.
Mizuki’s approach to architecture was deeply shaped by her experience during the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake. Seeing firsthand how vulnerable buildings could put people’s lives at risk made her think about what architecture should do at its most fundamental level: protect people, not endanger them.
This belief, together with her interest in hands-on learning and Yale’s Building Project, eventually brought her to Yale.
At the Yale School of Architecture, Mizuki has embraced the school’s strong studio culture and collaborative environment. Coming from a relatively monocultural country, she especially enjoys meeting and working alongside classmates from different backgrounds and perspectives. Outside the studio, she regularly attends lectures and workshops, where she gets to connect with architects, artists, and other creative thinkers.
Although she’s only been at Yale for a year, Mizuki says the experience has already pushed her out of her comfort zone and helped her come out of her shell. From exploring new creative interests to building friendships across cultures, her first year has been full of new experiences, both inside and outside the studio! 🌏✨
