Baskervill’s summer internship program is a launchpad for future visionaries in architecture, interior design, and MEP engineering. Forget coffee runs—our interns dive into real projects, guided by real mentors, gaining invaluable real-world experience. Over ten transformative weeks, they encountered unique learning opportunities in the dynamic world of design. Now, they’re heading back to class, ready to take on the world. But don’t just take our word for it—read on to hear directly from six interns about the lessons they learned, skills they honed, and life-long relationships they formed.
Emma Bustetter
Architecture Intern, Civic & Cultural
“This summer, I had the privilege of working on the conceptual and schematic design for the Shockoe Project, sketching ideas and drafting in Revit. I delved deep into the history of Shockoe Bottom, bringing that knowledge into the designs for the Shockoe Institute museum and office space. My involvement in the African Burial Ground’s conceptual design was particularly meaningful, as it combined hand sketching with in-depth research—a process that truly resonated with me. Attending public engagement meetings was humbling and eye-opening, revealing the deep community connection to this project and the profound impact design can have in acknowledging the past while paving the way for future healing. If I had to capture my internship in one word, it would be ‘ownership.’ My team empowered me to take full responsibility for my work, always encouraged me to voice my ideas and made me feel that my ideas truly mattered.”
Gavin Carter
Architecture Intern, Mixed-Use & Multifamily
“One of my favorite aspects of architecture is the construction phase. It’s special to see the many different phases of a building being put together, especially when it’s a project you have personally worked on. Understanding what those in the same industry as you need and how they work has made me a better designer. A highlight for me was the site visit to a multi-family project, NOON Ingram, where I got to see our work in progress. However, the most memorable takeaways from my summer at Baskervill go beyond design. I found that the most valuable lessons were those that shaped who I am as a person and the kind of professional I aspire to be.”
Georgia Brown
Interior Design Intern, Hospitality
“Baskervill’s Internship Program offered me a dynamic and diverse experience. I had the chance to dive into multiple projects within the Hospitality studio, from selecting FF&E and writing design specifications to working on drawing set redlines and setting up 3D perspectives for renderings. Beyond work in my studio, I thoroughly enjoyed the summer-long project the intern cohort completed together. We went on site visits, had weekly pin-ups, and presented to the office at the end of the summer. This project allowed us to collaborate across all aspects of the firm—from architecture and interior design to MEP engineering and branding. I learned the true value of teamwork at Baskervill this summer, and having such a supportive group made the experience both successful and incredibly fun!”
Anoushka Sarkar
Architecture Intern, Mixed-Use & Multifamily
“Creating a conceptual design for a unique church conversion project is something I never imagined working on during my first internship. After analyzing adaptive reuse precedents, I iteratively developed building and site plans to meet the program requirements of a new school and multi-family housing. My hand-drawn plans became the foundation for a concept and yield analysis presentation for our client. This experience stood out to me because it demonstrates how Baskervill trusts their interns with real, impactful projects and integrates them fully into the team. I got to see how a firm functions, which is something that you don’t typically get much exposure to in school. It’s not just designing buildings, there’s a whole business side to things with standards, project management, client interaction, and so much more.”
Miriam Shron
Architecture Intern, Education
“During my summer at Baskervill, I dove into a wide variety of tasks that gave me a comprehensive view of the multifaceted world of design. I was involved on a new project with the Virginia Military Institute, working on a site model and façade studies and design. I also modeled and created a drawing set for a structure that girls at the National Association of Women in Construction’s summer camp built. In addition to those large projects, I was tasked with smaller projects such as early studies for a restaurant and a dive pool. The diversity of activities not only broadened my skill set but also highlighted the incredible value of effective collaboration. Teamwork is really strong here.”
Sean Thiel
Architecture Intern, Education
“My favorite learning experiences this summer involved creating renderings. Navigating the Revit material editor and pairing it with Enscape to create photorealistic renderings was incredibly rewarding. I got to build on my existing Photoshop skills to enhance the final images, which made the whole workflow a fun challenge. Beyond the digital side, I loved the hands-on experience of our site visit to the Virginia Institute of Marine Science’s New Research Facility. The site on the Chesapeake Bay was beautiful, and the visit provided valuable insights into the coordination of trades on a construction site and the architectural strategies used to manage complex mechanical variables. Plus, it was a great opportunity to bond with my fellow interns, strengthening our cohesion as a team.”
