We’d like to extend our thanks to our most recent architectural design intern Sean Mansfield, Part 1 architecture student from Bath University, who has been an incredible help to the team over the past 6 months. 

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Hear from Sean about his experience of working at dn-a…

Everybody at dn-a has been very welcoming and really made me feel part of the team. It is great that there is an emphasis on work-life balance with regular social events like cheese and wine tasting, table football, go karting and a boat trip to Hampton Court.

Over the course of a 6-month placement, I have been involved in many projects. The largest of these has been an office refurbishment project in London. With a target for submitting the planning application in October 2018, it has been busy gearing up for it, with pre-application meetings, public consultations and design options to develop. I have been responsible for coordinating documents for these meetings, as well as for client meetings. I have also helped the team design the interiors of the ground floor atrium.

“The role of the architect is not only to design, but to bring people together and communicate ideas clearly and thoroughly.”

It has been interesting working on a large-scale refurbishment project as it has opened my eyes as to how architects work together with a wider team; the role of the architect is not only to design, but to bring people together and communicate ideas clearly and thoroughly. I have learnt that the architect, as lead consultant, must always be aware of the underlying politics that exist during the process of procuring and guiding projects from design inception through to completion.

As well as this, I have produced CAD drawings for a smaller refurbishment project. These were submitted to the contractor and signed off. I have also completed a Design and Access Statement for an amenity building which has been granted planning permission and is moving forward to the next stage. Getting involved with a variety of different projects has not only diversified my workload, increasing the range of experience I have gained, but it has also allowed me to work with and get to know a number of different people within dn-a.

Opportunities to apply skills learnt at University such as Photoshop, autoCAD and 3D modelling have been beneficial and through internal workshops I am learning new skills such as Revit. However, the professional development of “being an architect”, something that is so difficult to define or categorise, has been the most valuable experience.

“I have seen a real buzz develop in the office. With a very busy calendar, there are exciting projects in the pipeline.”

The responsibility I have been given, despite my lack of professional experience, has been very encouraging and it has been rewarding to work with such a talented firm. Even in the last 6 months, as more people have joined dn-a, I have seen a real buzz develop in the office. With a very busy calendar, there are exciting projects in the pipeline, so I will be keeping an eye on how these projects progress.

We’ll miss you Sean! Good luck at university!

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If you’re looking for an architectural design intern position please email info@mydn-a.com