"Today, I was truly honored and grateful as the recipient of the generous scholarship from RIGGS DESIGN. I wanted to extend my deepest appreciation to Riggs Distributing, Inc., Grant Riggs (President and CEO), David Karicaga, Marissa Durazzo, Vivian Nguyen, and all professors in my FINA department and Prof. Gus - Department Chair, as well as my family." David Vi Boi Huynh, Formgiver states.
Marissa Durazzo (Left), & David Vi Boi Huynh (Right)
Bay Area company inspires next generation of designers. Accessnewswire
SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESS Newswire / February 18, 2025 / Riggs Distributing, Inc., the exclusive distributor of Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove in Northern California, Western Nevada and Hawaii, is proud to announce the winner of the first-ever Riggs Design Scholarship at San Francisco State University. This prestigious Scholarship recognizes outstanding academic achievement in design studies, focusing on sustainability, creativity, leadership, and support of diversity, equity and inclusion in the community. The $5,000 Scholarship, the largest amount awarded in the department of Interior Design & Architecture, was highly competitive with numerous outstanding applicants. The winner of the 2025 Riggs Design Scholarship is Vi Boi ("David") Huynh, a senior Interior Design student at San Francisco State University. David has demonstrated exceptional dedication to his studies and a commitment to making a positive impact in the community.
"We established the Riggs Design Scholarship to recognize the great, diverse talent in the San Francisco area. At Riggs Distributing, we celebrate the next generation of designers and welcome their contributions to make the Bay Area and beyond a more beautiful place", states Grant Riggs, President and CEO of Riggs Distributing, Inc. He continues, "We are thrilled to award this Scholarship to David Huynh of San Francisco State University. His achievements and vision for creating environments that promote community well-being are truly inspiring."
Gus Vouchilas, Professor and Chair of San Francisco State University's Interior Design & Architecture program, states, "David's passion for designing affordable, eco-friendly housing to ensure that everyone has access to a place they can call home, as well as his great academic achievements really impressed the SFSU Scholarship Committee. We're so proud of him!"
Growing up in a Chinese-Vietnamese family, David Huynh was surrounded with rich cultural influences that instilled in him an appreciation for diversity and resilience. However, he was also aware that not everyone around him can live in a comfortable, safe home. This realization inspired him to pursue studies in architecture and interior design. "I'm motivated to create spaces that bring comfort, safety and dignity to all, regardless of their background; everyone deserves a home where they can thrive," David states. "My approach to design is based on the Formgiving philosophy - shaping the future we want to live in by creating spaces that express our values and aspirations in creating a more inclusive and sustainable world." After graduation, David wants to work with an international architecture or design firm that champions sustainable and socially responsible practices.
SOURCE: Riggs Distributing, Inc.
From left to right: Prof. Gus Vouchilas, Marissa Durazzo, Prof. Soheyla MohammadiGorji, Vivian Nguyen, Dafna Kapshud & David Vi Boi Huynh
David Vi Boi Huynh (Right), His best co-partner - Aidan Cheung, AC Designs (Left)
Life & Design Journey of David Vi Boi Huynh - Formgiver & Junior Interior Designer
Since childhood, I (David) have been fascinated by the creative arts. Growing up, I spent countless hours drawing people, buildings, and vehicles, letting my imagination shape stories on paper. At that time, I dreamed of becoming a comic book artist who creates fun storytelling and fictional worlds. As I grew older, so did my fascination with the spaces people inhabit. My interests shifted from creating two-dimensional images to visualizing three-dimensional spaces where people could live, work, and connect. A key thing for this change is a seemingly simple childhood activity building with LEGO bricks. These bricks became more than toys for me; they were a tool that allowed me to explore architecture and interior concepts hands-on, fueling my curiosity about how structures fit together and shape our environment.
Growing up in a Chinese-Vietnamese family, I was surrounded by a rich mix of cultural influences that instilled in me an appreciation for diversity and resilience. However, I was also aware that not everyone around me had the same opportunity to live in comfortable, and stable homes. In my home country of Vietnam, I witnessed daily scenes that left a lasting impression on me: families struggling to afford basic housing and children growing up in crowded homes with few safe spaces to play and study. These disparities made me question the role of architecture and housing design in society. Shouldn’t everyone, regardless of their background, have a space they would call “home” that meets their needs and supports their well-being? This realization led me to consider architecture and interior design as more than just an art form. I started seeing them as ways to make a tangible difference in people's lives. Inspired by the potential to create spaces that bring comfort, safety, and dignity to all, I decided to pursue a path in architecture and interior design. When I graduated from middle school, I was committed to developing the skills and knowledge needed to design spaces that meet the needs of everyone, regardless of their economic status. I want to focus on designing affordable housing and eco-friendly design (now known as sustainable design), creating environments that promote community well-being, and ensuring that everyone has access to a place they can truly call "home." As I continued my education, I encountered challenges reinforcing my commitment to this vision. I have seen some cities like San Francisco and Tokyo where housing affordability and space constraints were significant issues. In these cities, despite economic prosperity and development, many residents still struggle to find affordable, accessible housing. I saw these challenges not as barriers but as motivations to pursue solutions that could bridge the gap between quality design and accessibility. My goal in the future was not only to design aesthetically beautiful spaces but also to make housing more inclusive, more affordable, more sustainable, and joyful.
Today, my approach to architecture and interior design is based on a philosophy called “Formgivning (Formgiving)” a Danish word for design that literally means “to give form to that which has not yet been given form.” In my view, “Formgiving” is about shaping the future we want to live in, creating spaces that express our values and aspirations for a more inclusive and sustainable world. This philosophy drives my desire to create spaces that go beyond physical structures. I want to create homes and environments that provide emotional and psychological comfort, cultivating a sense of belonging and happiness for all who live in them. “Formgiving” inspired me to look at architecture and interior design as a space-making practice that goes beyond mere function. Rather than viewing architecture and interiors as simply solving practical problems, “Formgiving” encourages a holistic approach, where form and purpose are seamlessly intertwined. This philosophy has guided me to consider each design choice with the larger vision in mind, attempting to connect each element to a purpose that aligns with the well-being of the people who will inhabit that space. Through this approach, I have come to realize that architecture and interior design can truly be a vehicle for social transformation. I want to design environments that support community on both an emotional and practical level, recognizing that every detail contributes to the experience of those who interact with the space. My goal is to create spaces that are beautiful but also meaningful places that are alive with purpose. Whether designing homes, parks, or community centers, I strive to bring the human experience into every architectural decision. This commitment pushes me to think beyond aesthetics and toward creating experiences that promote well-being, joyfulness, and connection.
In 2022, I set up a new conceptual design process as a journey through three essential phases within the innovation framework "Formgiving": Play, Collaboration, and Design. The Play phase fosters exploration and experimentation, encouraging the generation of unconstrained creative ideas that lay the foundation for innovation. The Collaboration phase leverages diverse perspectives and teamwork to refine and test concepts. Finally, the Design phase focuses on precision and execution; and synthesizes insights and creativity from the earlier stages to pursue a purposeful and cohesive final product or building. This thoughtfully structured approach balances imagination with practicality, resulting in functional, inclusive, and inspiring designs.
One of the most profound applications of “Formgiving” is in housing design, which I call “Formgiving in Home Design.” It embodies my commitment to creating spaces that transcend physical structure to reflect the emotional essence of “home.” A home is more than a shelter—it is a sanctuary of safety, comfort, and belonging. Through “Formgiving in Home Design,” I aim to design spaces that not only exude aesthetic beauty but also radiate warmth, dignity, and purpose. This process involves a deep understanding of how elements like lighting, airflow, and layout influence the emotional and functional experience of living in a space. Every home I design becomes an opportunity to foster well-being by maximizing natural light, enhancing ventilation, and incorporating adaptable spaces that grow alongside the needs of its inhabitants. I also emphasize human-centered details that make a home feel welcoming and supportive—spaces that facilitate family gatherings, encourage personal reflection, and inspire joyful connection. This approach ensures that each home is a unique reflection of the people who live there, while also achieving a universal sense of comfort and harmony.
Beyond physical design, “Formgiving in Home Design” has shaped my perspective on the profound connection between architecture, interior spaces, and mental and emotional well-being. Thoughtfully crafted environments have the power to elevate mood, reduce stress, and cultivate peace. To this end, I incorporate biophilic elements such as natural light, organic materials, and greenery, which are proven to enhance mood and health. Besides, I weave a sense of playfulness and joy into my designs, encouraging exploration, creativity, and connection. My goal is to create spaces that resonate deeply with their inhabitants, celebrating individuality while nurturing a universally welcoming and uplifting experience.
SOURCE: David Vi Boi Huynh, BOI ARCHI DESIGN, BOI Design Studio
