#pcx-fa25

Leanne and Nicole!

I feel like we’ve gone from strangers to best friends over the course of this externship! It’s amazing how quickly we connected, and I want to sincerely thank both of you for being such incredible teammates throughout this experience.

Leanne, your knack for asking the right questions to our mentors made every conversation more meaningful, and Nicole, your cooking is phenomenal—thank you for bringing lunch for all of us on day three! Those moments, and all the laughs we shared, really made the experience unforgettable.

Of course, SmithGroup created the environment for this amazing externship, but you two made the in between meetings, site transit, and home commutes together so enjoyable and fun! You made every day brighter, and I’m so grateful to have shared this journey with you.

At the top of this post, I want to extend a very special thank you to Adriane Cody and Christine Rancourt! From start to finish, they were incredibly insightful, patient, and generous with their time, answering every question we had during our visit to SmithGroup.

Their guidance gave me a much clearer understanding of the grand scope of SmithGroup’s operations and the impact of their work. Beyond that, they served as amazing role models, showing us what professionalism, creativity, and thoughtful leadership look like in practice. These are all qualities I aspire to develop in my own career.

What truly stood out was how welcoming they made us feel. The mentorship we experienced wasn’t just informative, it was engaging, conversational, and inspiring, making it easy to absorb knowledge naturally. I left with so many pages of notes and ideas that I can’t wait to apply in the future.

Day 3

One project that stood out to me at SmithGroup was the cancer hospital on the cape.  What inspired me most was how SmithGroup’s mission centered on community needs and cultural inclusion, which directly shaped the design approach. They created a project that was smaller in scale but big in impact. They really catered their design to fit the people it served; creating a calm and culturally appropriate space. This project is one that the firm is very proud of and I can totally see why. The team was really proud of this project and I can see why, it was a truly impactful project for those who need comfort most!

Their motto on the wall behind us is truly their mission!

" Design a Better Future "

Image 1: https://www.capecodhealth.org/about/edwin-barbey-patient-care-pavilion/

Day 2

Image credit: https://www.smithgroup.com/projects/richmond-national-slavery-museum-at-the-lumpkins-slave-jail-site

Intercultural Competence means designing with people, not just for them. Diversity of lived experience helps aid in the designing of better curated spaces. The way SmithGroup integrates intercultural competence into their practice creates spaces that better reflect the traditions, priorities, and daily lives of the communities they serve.

At the SmithGroup office, they utilize a JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion) lens when partaking in community work as well as their professional work. Different perspectives aren’t just welcomed; they directly shape the workflows and workforce. Awareness of cultural needs, paired with influence in design decisions, makes the outcome more authentic and inclusive. This makes for better and more meaningful architectural designs for the users of their projects.

This past spring, I was connected with a mentor through an IIDA program. While we have struggled to find time to connect, it is an important opportunity and  I look forward to strengthening the relationship. Furthermore, I have found that my fellow students and BAC instructors also offer mini mentoring opportunities, feeding my inquisitive nature and expanding my knowledge of the interior design industry. 

One thing my fellow Allsteel externs and I mentioned a lot this week was keeping our doors open to exactly what kind of role we’re headed for post-graduation. My goal with the last two years of my BAC program is to continue to explore what those avenues look like and where I feel I would be most fulfilled.

On day one we learned that SmithGroup was founded in 1850 and has since expanded to become a nationwide powerhouse!

SmithGroup, which combines creativity and technological know-how in every design, specializes in science, Healthcare, and higher education projects. They also employ over 90 people at its Boston office!

We got a tour of their beautiful office and learned about their company mission. Their mission is focused on equity, passion, sustainability, curiosity, community, and integrity. Being there to see how these principles influence their initiatives and working atmosphere was inspiring.

One of the highlights of the day was the resume workshop, where we learned exactly what SmithGroup looks for in new graduates and picked up some valuable interview tips. They also gave us tips on how to package our work experiences and academic experiences in our resumes to better fit the needs of SmithGroup (and other large firms). It was both practical and encouraging for me starting our careers in architecture relatively soon.

Hello, my name is Brody. I am from California. I am currently a transfer student in the Boston Architectural College’s Bachelor of Architecture program, and I am thrilled to begin this externship with SmithGroup.

This opportunity is so exciting to me as I continue to grow both academically and professionally. I am looking forward to observing and engaging with the firm’s design and business practices. I particularly look forward to learning how large-scale projects are developed, and gaining a deeper understanding of how design and business strategies intersect within a global practice.