Constructing Confidence: Another Summer of Growth as an Intern at LMA Architecture
Nurturing the next generation of design talent is a core part of LMA-Architecture's mission. This summer, we were delighted to welcome Abigail back for her second internship with our team. A rising fourth-year Architecture student at the University of Virginia, where she is also pursuing minors in Global Sustainability and Astronomy, Abigail reflects on another summer of learning, collaboration, and professional growth at LMA.
As the LMA office has continued to grow over the past year, so has the strength of our mentorship. Leesa's experience following the same academic path at UVA, combined with the guidance of Kerri Ann and Ruth as Abigail took on more complex challenges, provided invaluable support. Abigail shared that their mentorship gave her "confidence in the path of architecture and with every project." Her journey with LMA, from high school inspiration to a second summer internship and ongoing mentorship, reflects the lasting relationships and investment in future architects that define our practice.
As the semester came to a close, I eagerly looked forward to returning to LMA for another summer with the team. This summer has taught me so much about grounding design in confidence and the importance of asking questions.
Connecting the Classroom and Practice
Over the past two semesters, much of what I learned during my first summer at LMA carried directly into the classroom, giving me a strong foundation (architectural pun intended). During one of my final exams, I found myself thinking back to a lesson the team had taught me about the layers within a wall assembly, allowing me to confidently identify the correct answer. While the studio often emphasizes artistic expression over architectural code, my experience at LMA has shown me how the two work together. Balancing technical requirements with thoughtful design has given me a clearer perspective on the profession.
At the same time, two more semesters at UVA made me a stronger intern. Applying new concepts from my coursework alongside the real-world experience I continue to gain at LMA has made me more confident in both the studio and professional practice.
Growing Through Experience
This summer I had the opportunity to collaborate on more projects than ever before, constantly asking questions, from how to use our software to how a roof system works. Leesa, Kerri Ann, and Ruth were always there to guide me, helping me to build my confidence in the path of architecture and with every project. I contributed throughout the design process, from laying out plats and researching setback regulations to editing final redlines for review. Accompanying Leesa on job site visits, I gained valuable experience with construction administration. I also worked extensively with LMA's marketing efforts, helping document completed projects for the firm's website. Visiting finished buildings and photographing them allowed me to experience projects from a different perspective. Rather than Glimpsing LMA's competed projects from construction documents alone, I was able to understand how the designs function once occupied and how architectural details unite in the built environment.
I also had the opportunity to redesign the office layout in preparation for our new architect, Eduardo. The updated space now accommodates additional workstations, creating a more functional office for our growing team.
Every Project Is a Puzzle
I was told when I was little that a love for puzzles was a vital skill for an architect to have. Now, I understand precisely what that means. Every day at LMA brings a new puzzle to solve, whether it is determining occupancy, calculating the required number of bathrooms, navigating height restrictions, or simply playing Tetris with a floor plan to find the best configuration.
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