Lancaster
Pennsylvania
RLPS
ARCHITECTS
2025 - PRESENT
After completing my Master of Architecture degree and applying to both of my previous internships, I accepted a full-time position at the first firm I interned for - RLPS Architects. As an Architectural Associate, my position was one that mimicked a project architect, just at a smaller scale. At this firm, an associate's position is often reserved for an entry-level employee with an accredited degree who is actively pursuing licensure. Most associates either focus on project management or design. My scenario allowed me to go back and forth between the two, especially with my first assignment.
On my first day of full-time employment, I was assigned to a project in Florida for a new independent living building on the campus of a senior living facility. As design development commenced, my job focused on the accessibility of the resident units. As most of them were not designed to accommodate specific accessibility requirements, many of them needed to be redesigned. This became my first major task, and eventually evolved into becoming responsible for everything and anything that happened in the IL portion of the new 12-story tower. I became the 'project manager' of the IL portion of the tower including 28 different unit types across 151 total resident untis all the way through the end of construction documents.
In the space between the end of DD's and the start of CD's, I worked primarily with the design group in the office. During that time, I had the opportunity to work on more resident unit plans, but also a renovation/addition to an office headquarters, conceptual design and master planning for other senior living communities, and even a dining room renovation.
In addition to the design and project management tasks I've been exposed to, I also had plenty of opportunities to participate in construction administration - whether for short site visits, full OAC meetings, or traveling nationwide to assist in punch lists. My first couple years post-graduation have been a very well-rounded introductory experience, and I hope to continue to participate in such a variety of tasks and responsibilities as I continue my young career.
See above professional renderings of my first large project in Florida (created by an external company) as well as some of the images I've produced for different design exercises and photos of projects either complete or under construction.