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Graduate architect
Employees in the architecture
department are broken down into groups of 10 to 15
people—studios—made
up of graduate architects, registered architects and
principals. The studio format, with a focus on social
interaction, allows you to feel like a larger part
of the group outside your individual project teams.
What
do you do?
As a graduate architect, sometimes
called intern architect, you’re exposed to a variety of activities that
keep life exciting and put you on the fast track to
getting registered. You get exposure to every phase
of a project throughout multiple projects. From letting
your creativity flow in schematic design to the nuts
and bolts of the project’s construction to presenting
concepts to clients, you’ll learn how the entire
industry works.
Some of the ways you’ll spend
your time are:
- 3D Computer modeling
- Physical models
- Presentation graphics
- Construction documents
- Construction administration
- Design developments
- Site visits
- Meetings for approvals and permits
- Client meetings
and presentations to clients
In addition
to working on projects, you’ll learn
through participating in LifeStructures University
sessions and being involved in organizations like the
American Institute of Architects.
BSA LifeStructures
encourages all of our architects to become registered
as early in their careers as possible.
Our approach to the Intern Development Program (IDP)
pairs interns and graduate architects with a young
architect and principal of the firm to help them complete
their IDP training requirements, better preparing them
for the Architectural Registration Exam (ARE).
Mentors
give architects a resource for advice, solving issues
and guiding you through your career path. Our
resource library provides materials on a variety of
topics to help you prepare for your exam.
“ In the past two years at
BSA LifeStructures as a Graduate Architect, I've
had the opportunity to work on multiple
projects in all phases of design. On any given
day I may split my time between working on construction
documents for one project, creating and reviewing
a
3-D computer model for another project, and answering
contractor's questions about a project already
under construction.”
BSA
LifeStructures’ engineering provides a broad
spectrum of projects and opportunities in engineering
disciplines. In addition to working on projects with
BSA LifeStructures architects, our engineers work on
projects with other architects throughout the state
and the country. We provide several engineering disciplines
under one roof.
Mechanical, electrical and plumbing
(M/E/P)
Buildings couldn’t function
without these behind-the-scenes systems. Our M/E/P
engineers
design systems that respond
to the complexities of the buildings they serve. And
they work hand-in-hand with other design disciplines
within the office.
Structural/civil/site
This is where
it all begins. The foundation of the project. The
location of the
building and the environment that surrounds it. The
way the building is situated on a site and supported
structurally. These engineers help make sure the project
gets on the ground.
What do you do?
Some of the
ways you’ll spend your time are:
- Coordination meetings
for projects with all other disciplines.
- Meetings
with BSA LifeStructures architects and other
architecture firms.
- Design and coordination of building
services.
- Meetings with clients to discuss design
choices, progress and budget issues.
- Visits to
the construction site to make sure progress and
quality are meeting project
design and specifications.
- Coordination meetings
on specific aspects of the projects like HVAC
(heating, ventilation
and air
conditioning)
considerations.
- Meetings with mentors to
help you grow and to serve as a guide as you
move through
your
career.
- Once an engineer is registered
as a Professional Engineer (PE), they can begin
to progress
into a project management
role and have increased client responsibilities.
Being
involved in professional organizations helps you grow
as an engineering professional. BSA LifeStructures
supports engineers’ involvement in organizations
like the American Council of Engineering Companies,
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning
Engineers and American Society for Healthcare Engineering.
“I enjoy doing engineering
for buildings. It provides a lot of variety. But
the best part is when I’m driving down the
road and can point out the results to my friends
and say, ‘I worked on that building.’”
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