Thank You Rafael Vinoly Architects
seen from China
seen from Germany
seen from Greece
seen from China
seen from United States
seen from Lithuania
seen from India
seen from China

seen from T1

seen from United States
seen from T1
seen from Yemen
seen from United States
seen from United Arab Emirates
seen from United Kingdom

seen from Latvia
seen from China
seen from Türkiye
seen from Germany
seen from Ukraine
Thank You Rafael Vinoly Architects

Anya is live and ready to show you everything. Watch her strip, dance, and perform exclusive shows just for you. Interact in real-time and make your fantasies come true.
Free to watch • No registration required • HD streaming
A Supportive Buddy
Experiencing this externship alongside Jainan made the week feel more grounded and meaningful. Having someone from the BAC going through the same first impressions, questions, and moments of discovery created an easy sense of support. We checked in with each other throughout each day, compared what we were learning, and helped one another stay on track when things felt new or unfamiliar. That shared experience made the whole environment feel more approachable.
This week reminded me how valuable peer mentorship can be. Learning beside someone who is equally motivated and curious encouraged me to stay open, ask questions, and step into tasks with more confidence. Inspired by the reading, the mentorship action I’m committing to this year is being more intentional about supporting my peers. Even small gestures can make a big difference in helping someone feel capable and included.
An Empowering Mentor
Over the course of the externship, my mentor Gamze Kahya played a huge role in making the experience feel grounded and meaningful. She approached every explanation with patience and clarity, and always encouraged us to think through each step rather than rushing to the answer. Her style emphasized independence, but with a strong safety net of support.
From the reading, a good mentor is someone who provides guidance, shares technical insight, and pushes a mentee toward growth. A good mentee listens, asks questions, and shows initiative. At RVA, mentorship happens naturally through conversations at desks, impromptu design discussions, or simply observing how people solve problems collaboratively.
What I appreciated most about Gamze was her willingness to check in, offer feedback, and connect our tasks to the larger purpose of the project. She created a learning environment where curiosity felt welcome and where developing confidence as a beginner was part of the process.
A Vision‑Driven Client
One project that came up in conversation at the office this week was the Tokyo International Forum. It's an iconic civic complex known for its dramatic glass hall and its role as a major public venue in the center of Tokyo. What interested me most wasn’t just its architecture, but how the client behind it, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, shaped the project’s direction by prioritizing openness, accessibility, and cultural exchange. Their goals pushed the design toward a space that invites people in despite being located between two of the busiest transit hubs in the city.
When I asked someone in the office about how a client like this influences RVA’s culture, they explained that working with mission‑driven public clients encourages the firm to think beyond aesthetics. It creates a culture where social impact becomes part of the design conversation. Where circulation, usability, and community experience matter just as much as form.
This made me realize how much a client’s values shape priorities, design decisions, and even the way teams communicate. A strong client vision doesn’t just inform a building; it can influence the environment within the studio, encouraging broader thinking and a deeper sense of responsibility in the design process.
It Looks Like Shared Awareness
Intercultural Competence is the ability to navigate cultural differences through awareness, listening, and intentional understanding. At RVA, this shows up in the way people communicate across teams and disciplines. The office brings together individuals from many backgrounds, and the environment encourages asking questions, exchanging perspectives, and learning from each other.
What stands out most is how often people explain not just what they’re doing, but why they’re doing it. That layer of openness creates an atmosphere where different viewpoints are not just heard, but genuinely valued. Whether we were reviewing project models or observing coordination conversations, there was a clear effort to ensure everyone (including us as visitors) stayed on the same page.
Intercultural competence at RVA involves a continuous exchange of ideas, where shared awareness pushes for team success. It’s an environment where learning is mutual, and curiosity is appreciated, which makes stepping into new work feel far less intimidating and more engaging.

Anya is live and ready to show you everything. Watch her strip, dance, and perform exclusive shows just for you. Interact in real-time and make your fantasies come true.
Free to watch • No registration required • HD streaming
Workplace Grind
Day one at Rafael Viñoly Architects flew by in the best way! We arrived to a warm welcome, and Lindsay helped us get oriented with paperwork, office logistics, and some great recommendations for exploring New York. After settling in, we toured the office with Lal and Anna, who made sure we knew where everything was (especially the coffee machine!)
Once we got started on the project we were assigned to, everyone was incredibly open and helpful. Any time we felt stuck, someone was ready to guide us, which immediately showed how supportive and connected the workplace culture is here. RVA’s environment is fast‑paced, design‑driven, and highly collaborative, but what stood out most was how intentional people are about making newcomers feel included.
Overall, it was a strong first day and a great introduction to the community RVA has built, full of learning, new experiences, and an exciting glimpse into the rhythm of the office.
Hi I’m Malak!
I’m Malak Fahmy, I’m in my first year of the Masters of Architecture program at the BAC. I was born and raised in Egypt, a country known for its rich history and culture, and it has definitely influenced the way I think about design. Growing up there and then immigrating to the US has shaped my approach to creating spaces that are functional, accessible, enhance the way people experience them.
I am enthusiastic to be part of the externship at Rafael Viñoly Architects and look forward to learning, contributing, and growing through this experience.
What is the worst thing any of your OC's has been through?
If you see one you like feel free to ask me to elaborate, I pretty much tried to did out the oc's with the most trauma
Hibiki;
Forced amputation/mauling/severe burns
Gretta;
Loss of ones self/possession
Harrlet;
Forced amputation/Discrimination
Malak F;
Failed suicide attempt/ED