Dr. Olivier Touraine

Associate Professor

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Biography

Olivier Touraine is an Associate Professor in the USC School of Architecture, where he teaches design studios. After graduating from the Ecole d'Architecture de Paris-la-Villette in 1987, he worked with renowned architects such as Renzo Piano and Rem Koolhaas. His career highlights include involvement in the Kansai Airport Project in Osaka and the Universal Studio HQ project in Los Angeles. Olivier has received several prestigious awards including the 'Album de la Jeune Architecture' and the Chevalier des Arts et Lettres. Currently, he leads Studio Touraine, focusing on architecture's relationship with cultural geography. His courses explore various aspects of urban architecture through field studies in cities like Madrid and Barcelona, emphasizing the interplay of historical and contemporary influences on design.

Research Interests

Experience

Associate Professor

2012-01-01 — Present

University of Southern California • Los Angeles, CA

Teaches various architecture design studios and courses focusing on cultural geography and urban studies.

Awards

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Album de la Jeune Architecture

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Villa Medicis Hors les Murs Grant

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Chevalier des Arts et Lettres

Courses

316 Place Culture 403 Principles of Spatial Design II 406 Global Studies Topics Architecture, Urbanism, History & Art 424L Field Studies in Architecture 605aL Graduate Architecture Design II - Integration

Requirements for University of Southern California

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
TOEFL
Listening
Required:20
Reading
Required:20
Writing
Required:20
Speaking
Required:20
Total
Required:90
IELTS
Listening
Required:6
Reading
Required:6
Writing
Required:6
Speaking
Required:6
Overall
Required:6.5
GRE General
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Math, or Hard Science
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Official transcripts
  • Personal Statement
  • Resume/CV
  • Letters of Recommendation (not required for MS CS, but allowed)
Specialization Notes

GRE is NOT required for Master's applicants for 2025-2026.