Ayesha

 My experience at SHM truly cemented my interest in architecture as well as my motivation for using design to construct impactful, people-focused spaces. I began my internship with eagerness to learn about the entire design process as it is chronologically. While I definitely gained an all-encompassing understanding of a project and its timeline, I learned so much more about the intricacies that make residential design unique. I learned about the importance of crafting special spatial experiences to truly tailor a home for a person and their lifestyle. I learned of the distinct consideration SHM places on making their designs uniquely stand out, placing significant importance on the client's values and using this to craft memorable architectural details. All of these discoveries were made possible through the people I worked with whose enthusiasm to mentor and guide, design insights, and passion for their work made me even more excited for the opportunities I was fortunate enough to engage with.

My Intern Design Project was a modern, Japanese-inspired home that explored the connection between indoor and outdoor space. With an emphasis on simplicity and the participation of outdoor space in the way the house is lived in, I heavily researched Japanese architecture and the organization of spaces. Creating a flow of spaces with limited walls, intentional procession between space was made through alignment and proportionality. Nature and the outdoors remained a common, engaging element, as a series of courtyards–a small private courtyard off the master bath, a central courtyard accessible from kitchen/dining, and the backyard as the overarching courtyard linking all spaces–and water features framed the interior spaces. The client’s interests and regard for warmth was explored through materiality and the motif of screen elements, as the use of overlapping patterns of warm woods and metal balanced light as well as privacy. The house is emblematic of the client’s overall emphasis on family and creating familiar spaces. Although a rather simple but crucial thought, this project helped me understand that a house is meant to be lived in, and its design should craft spatial experiences that promote comfortable living and interaction with one another.