This summer, seven University of Miami School of Architecture students ventured across cities and firms, each carving out a unique path in the world of professional practice. From Atlanta to New York, Houston to Miami, their internships were more than just work. They were immersive experiences in design, collaboration, and personal growth.
Luisa Hernandez joined D. Stanley Dixon Architect in Atlanta, drawn by the firm’s reputation for classical and traditional residential architecture. Her summer unfolded across three distinct projects, where she worked closely with her project manager from initial sketches to construction documents. The studio’s collaborative spirit gave Hernandez a front-row seat to how design decisions become built reality. Outside the office, she explored Atlanta’s architectural heritage, walking historic neighborhoods, and hiking nearby trails, deepening her appreciation for both design and place.
Nicole Knopfholz Daitschman, interned at Zyscovich in Miami. Having grown up surrounded by the firm’s work, she brought a personal connection to her role. She focused on sustainability documentation, helping projects meet LEED and Green Globes goals, and gained insight into large-scale collaboration through coordination with engineers and consultants. Her passion for green design, rooted in her hometown of Curitiba, Brazil, infused every task. Attending a Miami-Dade Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee meeting added a layer of civic engagement to her summer, while cross-department friendships made the experience unforgettable.
In Houston, Diego Ascanio joined Gensler to experience the pace of a major architecture firm while staying close to family. He dove into the early stages of a new project, expanding his technical skills with tools like Revit and SketchUp, and learning from Gensler’s proprietary design technology. The office’s fast-paced, collaborative culture mirrored the School of Architecture’s studio life. Ascanio’s summer wasn’t all work; he and fellow interns celebrated Juneteenth with a river trip, turning colleagues into friends.
Back in Miami, Patricia Llerena Perez and Crystal Hua interned at Cúre & Penabad, the firm led by University of Miami professors Adib Cúre and Carie Penabad. Llerena Perez admired the firm’s integration of cultural and historical context, while Hua was inspired by its expressive, artistic approach to architectural drawings. Both thrived in the studio’s fast-paced, collaborative environment. Llerena Perez honed her technical documentation skills, and Hua deepened her Photoshop expertise, especially in creating vibrant color line drawings. Their daily lunch breaks became a cherished ritual, sparking a friendship that became one of the summer’s most meaningful takeaways.
In New York City, Justin Ammaturo and Jordan Kekst brought their shared love for classical and traditional design to Ferguson & Shamamian. The transition from studio to practice felt seamless, thanks to the strong foundation built at the School of Architecture. Ammaturo contributed to the firm’s upcoming monograph, redrawing archival CAD files with a hand-rendered touch, while Kekst immersed himself in long-term project coordination. Both found inspiration in the city’s architecture, from SoHo’s cast-iron facades to active construction sites. They grew through conversations with interns from other institutions, expanding their perspectives on design and education.
Together, these seven students returned from their internships with sharpened skills, deeper insights, and a renewed appreciation for collaboration, craft, and the enduring value of good design.
