Interns learn "multiple ways to be an architect" at AIA HQ renewal

AIA is in the midst of a substantial renewal of its headquarters in Washington, D.C. and seven students from five Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with NAAB-accredited architecture programs—Howard University, University of the District of Columbia, Prairie View A&M University, Florida A&M University, and Hampton University—served as interns on the project this summer, with a unique twist on their roles and what the internship provides.

The primarily virtual six-week internship program builds upon the inaugural 2021 program. This year the interns engaged in every aspect of the design process–from stakeholder engagement to contract document preparation, decarbonization plans to budget management.

“Last year we were early in the design, we were tackling some big questions. But it’s a year later now so now it’s more of the details, the nuances, and making sure that we haven’t value engineered out things that are important to the client,” said Matthew Welker, Assoc. AIA, Director, sustainable metrics & operations at AIA “The nature of the conversation is different because we’re in later design when last year we were in early design.”

Collaborating closely with San Francisco-based architecture firm EHDD, which is leading the headquarters renovation project, the interns are learning about some of the lesser-considered elements of being an architect, rather than just focusing on the design of the building.

Interns met twice a week virtually, either in collaborative workshops or question-and-answer sessions with key stakeholders involved in the renovation project, including AIA EVP/CEO Lakisha Ann Woods, CAE and landscape architect Walter Hood who is working on the renovation project. Project-specific workshop focused on key topics related to the building renovation like how sustainability is crucial to the project, a look at budgeting and pricing and examining tough decisions that bring the project back into budget, and a deep-dive into construction details for the proposed façade. Student also gained valuable professional development knowledge related to licensure, building a brand, and the importance of networks.

The internship culminated with a final presentation, attended by several of the HBCU deans and faculty members. Doris Guerrero, AIA, director of interiors at EHDD called the presentations “didactic” and “clear” about the things the students learned this summer and the feedback they provided.

Bianca Bryce, an architecture student at Florida A&M University, said that the program gave her “a lot of insight” into what it takes to be an architect and how relationships and projects manifest.

“There are many things that you need to think about when it comes to building a building, or even renovating a building. We get a little taste of that during architecture school when you have to showcase problem solving skills on projects, but it’s completely different when there’s an actual building that you are helping to build,” said Bryce.

As part of the program, the students met at the headquarters in Washington for a chance to meet people involved with the project, spend time with their fellow interns, and flex their networking muscles at AIAS Grassroots.

“My initial perception was that maybe working in a more corporate environment might not be for me, but after going to Washington and experiencing a taste of it I thought that I might actually like this,” said Bryce. “I love what AIA is doing with the renovation in terms of sustainability and bringing some greenery into the city.”

Guillaume Atanga, an architecture student at the University of the District of Columbia, who recently moved to the United States from Cameroon, said the experience of “being exposed to a professional level of architecture” was valuable for him.

“Architecture is so much more than just ‘oh here’s a new building that’s going here,’ it’s about looking deeper. Why do you want this feature in the building? Is the design sustainable enough? Seeing how AIA asks and answers all those questions really provided me an amazing opportunity.”

Both Bryce and Atanga see their futures in architecture as a way to help make the world a more equitable place.

“I want to make sure I have a purpose beyond just working to build buildings, I want to be able to help people,” said Bryce, adding that she thinks working at a more intimate firm may help her be able to help solve localized problems related to inequity in the community that she lives in.

Atanga agreed, surmising that studying architecture is a way to give back to his home country.

“I can go back to my country and look at what we’re missing. For example, we don’t have metro transportations, so I want to look at that and see if I can come up with a project to figure out how we can help people get around,” he said. “Can I help bring a more sustainable school back home? I want to be able to share my skills with my community and I hope to be able to do that in the future.”

The “unique & rich perspective” of HBCUs

When EHDD and Guerrero were programming the internship, they were motivated by making the students “design partners” and not just “a hierarchical typical internship.”

“HBCU students have a unique and rich perspective on design culture, politics, and aesthetics. Their involvement makes the conversation much richer. It challenges practitioners and those richer conversations make richer designs,” said Guerrero. “Having the perspective of these students from HBCU students has made me think about this project more expansively.”

Simi Stanford, a student at the University of the District of Columbia who participated in the internship in 2021 and now has an internship with Turner Construction, the construction manager of the project, thinks that HBCU’s bring a unique perspective towards design.

“HBCUs operate like a family, the professors really want to see the students grow and succeed, and I think that helps give a lot of students, especially design students, a way of placing their personality and life experiences within design,” said Stanford. “A lot of times you’re taught to separate the two, but I think HBCUs combine that well and that helps the world of design.”

During the duration of the internship, students discussed and contrasted their coursework, experience in studio, and their assignments noting both similarities and differences in their learning experiences. This led to students identifying new concepts, methods and perspectives that they will bring back to their respective schools for the upcoming semester.

Guerrero views young practitioners and interns as “the genesis of new and fresh ideas for our practice.” She calls the benefit of these younger perspectives “priceless,” and viewed this internship as a “knowledge share,” where EHDD shared professional expertise and the interns shared their design expertise and vision.

“This model of internship is really unique because it was born out a hybrid necessity,” she said. “This summer was successful because it built upon a lot of the successes of last summer but also gave us some design meat to sink our teeth into. We really used this project as an opportunity for dialogue with the students.”

For example, students brought different recommendations around “color, texture, and accessibility,” of the project and Guerrero said that these ideas “will be addressed in the next few weeks as we’re developing further details of the project.”

Students also gave suggestions for some cost-saving endeavors, like multi-purposing some of the spaces in the new building. “These are practical and creative ways to solve some of the very real issues that we’re addressing,” said Guerrero.

“This internship demonstrates that there are multiple ways of being an architect,” said Welker, adding that some architects are exceptional project managers, some specialize in business development and relationship management, and some specialize in design.

“Those are all valid ways of practicing architecture, and for these students, a lot of them never realized the amount of work or opportunity that exists outside of just design,” Welker added.

For more student perspectives on the internship, AIA put together an Instagram Reel from their day in Washington D.C., watch it here.