Urban Studio Students Wrap Final Semester with Internships
Every year, fifth-year students at Auburn’s Urban Studio spend the last half of their final semester getting a taste of what life will be like after graduation.
These internships are a bridge between their academic learning and future professional practice. Students are immersed in both the practical experience and real-world situations, giving them a launching point for their post-graduation job search.
“Interns bring a youthful energy to the office studio,” said Poole & Company. “And if they are confident in what they don’t know, and are curious and inquisitive, it gives the staff an opportunity to provide teachable moments. Those moments are the best—when the exchange of ideas is recognized as exciting. The recent graduate learns something, the staff, through teaching, reinforces their understanding of the issues and challenges we face every day.” This experience allows students to start to develop a sense of responsibility and vision by going beyond the classroom learning experience. They can network, engage with professionals and develop the types of connections that can help them during the next stages of their careers.
“We feel it is our duty to the profession to help shape young architectural hopefuls and to invest in the individual’s future, as well as that of a strong profession for the future,” Bill Segrest ’98 of Williams Blackstock Architects shared. “We hope to instill a love for design and collaboration, especially in students that found a value in attending the fifth year at Urban Studio. Being a fixture in the Birmingham design community, we hope to inspire talented young people to stay in our community and learn from its rich history and contribute to its bright future.”
Recognizing the immense value internships offer, local architecture firms have opened their doors to the fifth-year students, eager to mold the next generation of architects.
Poole & Company
“I’m excited to work with the team at Poole,” said Tyler Layton, “especially since I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with them before. The variety in age, background and experience is what originally piqued my interest.”
Layton hopes to gain hands-on experience, deepen his practical understanding and strengthen his ability to apply theoretical concepts in real-world situations. He plans to seek opportunities to participate actively in meaningful projects, build collaborative relationships and enhance his professional communication and problem-solving skills. By engaging enthusiastically in assigned tasks and proactively seeking constructive feedback, Layton aims to contribute to the organization while enriching his professional growth.
“I want to know that students have been investigating the city while they’ve been here for two semesters—the two most important semesters of their student career,” D’Agostino explained when discussing what he looks for in potential interns.
“Have they been curious, investigating, sketching, recognizing and documenting the small things? Have they been to The Garage courtyard? Have they sipped wine in the Golden Age downtown patio? Do they know where the best BBQ is? Can they articulate the special moments and spaces that make Birmingham a unique, three-dimensional environment? Can they show me those things with their sketchbook?”
About Poole and Company
Poole & Company’s promise is intelligent designs that create delight. A building’s good design might entice someone to visit, but a poor design can certainly keep them from coming back. They design spaces that make the best use of the site, space and situation of any given project, creating a construct of space that maximizes efficiency while providing a subtle delight to the eye and experience of the user.
Recent Projects
Jefferson County Medical Examiners
Auburn Grads
John Blocker ‘86
Josh Adams ‘18
Mac Ridlehoover ‘24
Williams Blackstock Architects
“As this is my first internship, I’m excited and nervous to experience a professional environment and all that comes with it,” shared Laura Chavez. “I’m eager to learn and grow, and I hope this opportunity will open new doors for me and those around me, as this is also a chance to represent my culture and community.”
In this internship, Chavez is aiming to enhance her skills by becoming more confident and comfortable in professional settings. As her first experience in an architecture-related workplace, she anticipates gaining valuable insights into the differences between working in the classroom and the Urban Studio and an architecture firm. Chavez hopes to develop a deeper understanding of the professionalism, technical proficiency and effective communication skills required in the field, recognizing that hands-on experience is essential for her successful transition into the workforce.
“At Williams Blackstock we look for students who are willing to jump into any potential tasks with a hunger for learning and a tenacity to take ownership no matter the request. We strive to be curious, life-long learners, and we ask the same of our younger staff and AU Interns,” Segrest said.
About William Blackstock Architects
Williams Blackstock Architects is a full-service architectural design firm that cultivates collaborative partnerships based on a foundation of innovative problem-solving and deep expertise. The team uses thoughtful design, innovation and creativity to reflect their passion for creating spaces that transform the human experience. They nurture a culture that reveres innovation, client focus and community advocacy. Encompassing a wide variety of architectural expertise on projects of varying size and scope, the firm’s collaborative team brings clients’ visions to life while prioritizing people amid highly technical design and construction processes. Founded in 1994, the firm has experienced continued growth by forging trusted relationships and delivering designs with the capacity to unite people, elevate communities and inspire meaningful cultural change.
Recent Projects
Shelby County Services Building
Auburn Grads
Bill Segrest ‘98
Wishing this year’s Urban Studio students an exciting and fruitful internship season!
Want to learn more about the Urban Studio experience?
Related people:
Alex Krumdieck, Jennifer Cloe