Reflecting on Growth: Summer 2024 Intern Teachout

From tackling challenging tasks to collaborating on innovative solutions, our Summer 2024 class of interns have shown remarkable growth and professionalism. Over the past few months, they have contributed significantly to our projects and infused our studios with their enthusiasm and energy. We are proud of all they have accomplished and excited to see where their journeys will take them.  

Learn more about the contributions each of our design interns made, and what they enjoyed most about their internship with Shepley. 

What did you work on this summer? 

This summer I had the opportunity to work with three project teams, the first being a religious archive project for a higher education institution. To support this team, I focused on construction documentation; inputting specs such as finishes, performance, and products into an Excel document. While some may find this task monotonous, it allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of industry standards, and the technical aspects involved in this project phase.  

The second project I contributed to was a hospital infusion suite project for a healthcare client. Prior to beginning my internship, I had limited knowledge of healthcare design, and the complexities involved. Working on this project changed that. I began researching and familiarizing myself with considerations like the Facilities Guidelines Institute and American Disabilities Act (ADA) codes to inform the reflected ceiling plan (RCP). Working on the RCP was challenging, but the repetition and feedback allowed me to become more comfortable in Revit and demonstrated how the small details come together, and everything clicks.  

The final project I worked on during my internship was for another healthcare client, however this time I had the opportunity to work with the interiors team on casework. One aspect that I found interesting was how design aspects like sink heights were ADA-compliant. It made me re-think the way the environments I interact with daily are designed.  

What did you enjoy the most? 

I really enjoyed my internship experience at Shepley Bulfinch, and a big part of that was because of the people. I was impressed by how inclusive Shepley is, everyone was always willing to help and support me, which created a respectful and collaborative environment for learning. I also enjoyed being able to apply what I’ve learned in school to real project work and watching the pieces all come together. I’ve learned so much from this experience and look forward to bringing it back to my coursework. 

What did you work on this summer? 

This summer I was able to contribute to several projects, which allowed me to experience projects at every scale, and interact with a lot of talented and supportive Bulfinches. I began the summer working on two healthcare renovation projects, the first a labor and delivery project, the second an ancillary triage project. On both, I focused on finishes in Revit and measuring them in Tally to identify where reductions to embodied carbon can be made.  

On a different scale, I had the opportunity to conduct space planning and mapping for the renovation of labor and delivery rooms. I was challenged to think about how users will be interacting with the space while also being mindful of healthcare code considerations. With support and feedback from the team, I then used Affinity and Enscape to create project graphics, which were used in user meetings. It was rewarding to see my contributions valued and experience user feedback firsthand.  

The final project I worked on this summer was a health and counseling center for a higher education institution. The project is currently seeking LEED certification, which requires a lifecycle assessment to measure the building’s impact reduction. This process has involved measuring every physical aspect of the project to map the baseline project’s global warming percentage against what is being built. While rigorous, it has been interesting to apply my passion for sustainability.  

What did you enjoy the most? 

I’ve had such a great internship experience, and one of my favorite parts has been the studio energy in Durham. It was such a fun, collaborative, and supportive environment. I also enjoyed experiencing projects at every scale. From working on a microscale of inputting finishes into Tally to a macroscale of space planning for healthcare programming, I gained a more comprehensive understanding of each phase of a project lifecycle.  

Lastly, I appreciated that Shepley Bulfinch provided an individualized internship experience. Instead of being given tasks no one wanted, I was given opportunities to share my passion for environmental design through my contributions to projects.  

What did you work on this summer? 

This summer I had the great pleasure and opportunity to be part of a team working on a cancer and imaging center for a large healthcare client. Working with this attentive, patient team throughout my time on the project, I’ve learned so many lessons: one being the importance of collaboration. Working in a hybrid environment with a team located across multiple offices, I was pushed to communicate better with my teammates, ask stronger questions, and understand everyone’s areas of focus.  

I experienced the power of collaboration externally as I witnessed the amount of programming and planning that goes into coordinating meetings with external consultants and user groups. I’m passionate about user-focused design, so having the opportunity to assist in user group meetings was exciting as I got to see the power that listening, facilitating discussion, and collaboration have on design decisions. From this experience, I learned how to communicate more confidently, articulate key concepts, and respond to client feedback and constraints to keep the project moving.  

Another lesson I learned through my internship is how to be flexible. Working in a fast-paced, deadline-heavy environment taught me how to adapt quickly to changes in project scope and priorities. Unexpected challenges arise, and having a rigid mindset won’t help the team or the project; you must stay flexible to manage them.  

What did you enjoy the most? 

This experience is one that I will never forget, I’m so grateful to those I have met, laughed with, and learned from throughout my time at Shepley. I’ve learned so much and am leaving this experience with a renewed confidence in my skills and my passion for this profession.  

What did you work on this summer? 

This summer I had the great opportunity to work on an urban development project located in Tempe, AZ. This project was particularly interesting for me because I live just 5 minutes down the road from the project site, which will serve a higher education population. On this project, I delved into the construction documentation process, which involved addressing plans, drafting details, sitting in on owner, architect, and contractor meetings (OACs), and completing field reports. I enjoyed this work because it’s a side of architecture you don’t see much of in school. It helped give me a fuller picture of the processes involved in a project.  

I also got to experience the permitting process for a project, and how complicated it can be. Before my internship, I learned what I may have considered a small detail can have a big impact. If the city’s permitting committee requests that, for instance, the location of the windows needs to be changed, it may not seem like a big deal, but it comes with implications. Changing the location if that window involves changes to the exterior system, framing, wall assemblies, and so on — you need to rethink how all these elements tie back together to make that “small” change. While challenging in the beginning it was rewarding to learn how designs come to be built and understand the scope of considerations for that to happen.  

What did you enjoy the most? 

I really enjoyed the opportunity to learn from and work with a lot of great people. It’s evident that Shepley Bulfinch prides itself on sticking true to their values. I never felt my role as an intern was limited; it was a matter of asking and someone would make time or give me the green light to work on something. I felt I had the trust, support, and encouragement to learn and try new things.  

What did you work on this summer? 

Over the summer I was exposed to several different projects, each at different stages. The first project I worked on was a cancer and imaging center for a large healthcare client. I worked with the project team to set up inventory sheets and models to meet a submission deadline for the project. This experience strengthened my Revit skills and taught me how to work within a deadline.  

Next, I experienced the preparation and processes involved in winning new work as the team prepared to interview for a new higher education project. To support the team in preparations, I worked in Enscape to create virtual walk-throughs of the proposed design. It was challenging to work through multiple iterations and apply changes all on a timeline, but extremely rewarding when it came together. I was also given the chance to sit in on the interview, allowing me to understand the process, the questions asked, and how a project is effectively presented.  

I ended my time at Shepley supporting in the beginning phases of a large academic medical center with multiple project partners. Since the project is in an early stage, I spent a lot of time researching and diagramming clinical spaces. Through this research, I learned a lot about medical campuses and the number of considerations involved in planning a large project.  

What did you enjoy the most? 

I’m thankful for the incredible experience I’ve had at Shepley Bulfinch and all the support and exposure that was given to me. Having the opportunity to experience projects at all stages was insightful and helpful in my growth as an architecture student. As a student myself, I enjoyed contributing to the preparation, proposal, and interview process for a new higher education project as it allowed me to view college campuses through a new lens. I also enjoyed this project, because while everything is fast-paced to meet the deadline, it is also gratifying to see so many details and changes come together so quickly.  

What did you work on this summer? 

I spent the summer working on an academic center renovation for a higher education institution. I had an incredible experience working with this team and was surprised by the level of trust and respect that was given to me early in my internship. The team provided autonomy to contribute ideas and test out concepts, which I did in designing a feature wall for the project. Given free rein to design a feature wall for the project, I was able to share my creativity, gain confidence in presenting my ideas, and how to take and integrate feedback.  

I also had the opportunity to prepare for and listen in on external meetings with consultants and user groups. Observing these discussions allowed me to learn how to effectively communicate, present details, and manage different opinions. This experience has allowed me to not only become a better designer, but a better project manager, ensuring all voices are heard while maintaining the project timeline.  

What did you enjoy the most? 

This experience has reaffirmed my passion for educational spaces and the architecture profession. I was provided with so many opportunities to learn and grow, knowing that if I ever hit a roadblock or had a question, there was always someone there to support me. I’ve met a lot of wonderful people that made me feel valued and will be a network for me as I move forward with my thesis and career.  

What did you work on this summer? 

I had the opportunity to work with a wonderful, supportive team on the renovation and expansion of a bed tower for a large healthcare client. The expansion project is currently under construction, and once completed will address critical capacity and reprogramming needs on the medical campus. During my time on the project, I focused on construction administration, specifically for levels 4-through-8 of the new bed tower. This phase involved preparing proposal requests, providing architectural supplemental instructions, responding to requests for information, preparing field visit reports, and reviewing shop drawings, as well as previous submittal markups. Exposure to this process allowed me to gain a better understanding of the standards of specifications and documentation needed for a project to be coordinated effectively.  

This experience also allowed me to go on my first site visit and see all the details of the design come to life. Watching the construction of the project’s basement, I witnessed the complexities of design come together as the reinforced concrete walls were put up and ducts, cable trays, and pipelines were installed. Seeing this construction come together reinforced why all the construction administration work I’d been doing was so important to ensuring the project move smoothly.  

What did you enjoy the most? 

I loved the collaborative atmosphere of Shepley Bulfinch; everyone was so easy to work with and always willing to provide support. I especially enjoyed the Design Share and Firmwide Townhall meetings as they provided an opportunity to hear and learn from one another’s work and experience. These meetings reinforce the strong collaboration and continuous learning Shepley prides itself on. I had a wonderful and valuable experience and know this experience will help me open new doors in my professional development. I really enjoyed my time and those I had the opportunity to work with, so much so that I will be continuing my internship through the Fall semester.