Dr. Vlanka Catalan

Instructor

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Biography

Vlanka Catalan is a Lecturer at the USC School of Architecture, with a focus on pragmatic experiential architecture that integrates art, graphics, and media. She is the principal founder of VERB/, a creative practice based in Los Angeles, CA. Prior to her role at USC, Vlanka taught at the University of Washington and worked as a Project Architect in Seattle and Los Angeles, gaining experience in various architectural typologies including installations, custom residential projects, and large commercial and institutional designs. Her work has received multiple accolades including the AIA Certificate of Merit Award, several AIA Seattle Design Awards, the Nisshin Kogyo Architecture Design Award, and the ACSA Design-Build Award. Her research project, 'Constructing Media,' focuses on the relationship between architecture and media. Throughout her career, she has exhibited her research in cities such as Seattle and San Diego. Vlanka is also a veteran of the United States Army.

Research Interests

Experience

Lecturer

— Present

University of Southern California • Los Angeles, CA

Teaching architectural design courses.

Project Architect

— Present

Various • Seattle and Los Angeles

Worked on a variety of architectural typologies.

Awards

#

AIA Certificate of Merit Award

#

Multiple AIA Seattle Design Awards

#

Nisshin Kogyo Architecture Design Award

#

ACSA Design-Build Award

Courses

500aL Comprehensive Architectural Design

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.