OPN welcomes 8 students to studios for summer internships
OPN proudly welcomes summer interns to each of our studios every summer because we firmly believe in the importance of growing and fostering the next generation of architects. We grow and learn from these emerging professionals as much as they do from working side-by-side seasoned designers. We are thrilled to introduce our 2020 summer class of interns. They travel, they problem-solve, they care about sustainability, and all are proud Cyclones.
Alice Tosi
Cedar Rapids Studio
What school are you attending/did you graduate from? Iowa State University
Degree(s) and graduation year(s)? Majors in Architecture and Spanish, Minor in Sustainability
Past experience/notable projects/senior thesis? Previously interned at CBRE Heery (Now SLAM); Hansen Prize Competition 2018 First Place for the Midway Theater
Where are you from? Cedar Rapids, Iowa
One fun fact: I dream in French and English.
What do you like about the architecture and design industry? I like the way it brings together creativity and artistry with improving people’s lives and shaping their day-to-day experience.
What are you reading right now? “Fahrenheit 451”
What inspires your design? I can’t pinpoint a specific inspiration; each project sparks its own associations.
If there was a movie about your life, who would star as you? Audrey Tautou
Anannya Das
Cedar Rapids Studio
What school are you attending/did you graduate from? Iowa State University
Degree(s) and graduation year(s)? Architecture & Sustainable Environments, 2021
Past experience/notable projects/senior thesis? Bazaar 324- COTE Top 10 Winner 2020
Where are you from? Mumbai, India
One fun fact: At the start of the conversation, I might seem a little shy. However I have been told that even though I speak little I speak a lot of sense. But once I get comfortable, you would know how lame I could be.
What do you like about the architecture and design industry? I believe Architecture and Design are fields that have an immense potential to contribute to bring about a positive change in the current social constructs that we all are dealing with.
What are you reading right now? “The Case for Reparations,” a short story by Ta-Nehisi Coates
What inspires your design? I have always been deeply interested in anthropology studies and cultures, and these are somethings that inspires my designs.
If there was a movie about your life, who would star as you? Jennifer Aniston, Fan Girl Moment.
Braden Cooper
Des Moines Studio
What school are you attending/did you graduate from? Iowa State University
Degree(s) and graduation year(s)? Bachelor of Architecture, 2021
Past experience/notable projects/senior thesis? Internship at Rally Cap Properties, Hansen Prize Nominee, Kalaher Award Nominee
Where are you from? Des Moines, Iowa
One fun fact: I once drank an entire two liter of Mountain Dew and half of a Pit Combo while staying up to finish a studio project.
What do you like about the architecture and design industry? The ability you have as a professional to positively affect the people and communities you design for.
What are you reading right now? “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix”
What inspires your design? Research into each specific context that the project is set in.
If there was a movie about your life, who would star as you? Robert Pattinson
Calise Gritters
Des Moines Studio
What school are you attending/did you graduate from? Iowa State University
Degree(s) and graduation year(s)? Master of Architecture + Master of Urban Design, 2021
Past experience/notable projects/senior thesis? Design Build of a pergola at Stomping Grounds Café, Summer 2019
Where are you from? Pella, Iowa
One fun fact: I’ve lived on both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans!
What do you like about the architecture and design industry? I love helping others by finding creative and practical solutions to everyday challenges.
What are you reading right now? “Social Causes of Health and Disease” by William C. Cockerham
What inspires your design? People and Places. I take inspiration from those who will come to occupy a space, as well as a place’s cultural, environmental, and social complexities. In a world where design can easily be standardized and generic, people and places are what will always challenge and inspire designers.
If there was a movie about your life, who would star as you? My sister. She is a phenomenal actor, singer, and dancer. Plus, people always get us mixed up anyway!
Carolan Hoffman
Des Moines Studio
What school are you attending/did you graduate from? Iowa State University
Degree(s) and graduation year(s)? Major in Architecture Minor in Historic Preservation May 2021
Past experience/notable projects/senior thesis? Summer Intern at OPN in 2019; Undergraduate Research Assistant in the College of Design for Sustainability
Where are you from? Washington, Iowa
One fun fact: I rode a horse on Mt Vesuvius in Italy this year!
What do you like about the architecture and design industry? I love the creativity and the teamwork that goes into everything. I love working with people and seeing how they deal with problems/come up with ideas and how I can learn and grow from them!
What are you reading right now? “The Shannara Chronicles”
What inspires your design? Architecture itself. That sounds silly but I have always been in love with buildings and how they are built. They are awe-inspiring and buildings leave me stunned. It makes me want to work hard to add to the beauty architects create!
If there was a movie about your life, who would star as you? Blake Lively
Cody Goedken
Cedar Rapids Studio
What school are you attending/did you graduate from? Iowa State University
Degree(s) and graduation year(s)? Bachelor of Architecture, 2022
Past experience/notable projects/senior thesis? Summer Intern at OPN Architects (2019)
Where are you from? Worthington, Iowa
One fun fact: I like to go fishing and go on adventures.
What do you like about the architecture and design industry? I like the fact that I am able to create spaces as well as experiences through the creativity of my designs.
What are you reading right now? Aside from this survey, I usually read motivational and inspirational things whether about architecture or other things in general.
What inspires your design? I am inspired by the creation of experiences through architecture and how I can enhance or emphasize certain experiences through design.
If there was a movie about your life, who would star as you? Bradley Cooper
Linh Huynh
Des Moines Studio
What school are you attending/did you graduate from? Iowa State University
Degree(s) and graduation year(s)? Master of Architecture, 2021
Past experience/notable projects/senior thesis? Ford Foundation Community Fellow
Where are you from? Vietnam
One fun fact: I have two daughters.
What do you like about the architecture and design industry? The possibility to change how we live.
What are you reading right now? “The Culture of Make Believe” by Derrick Jensen
What inspires your design? The pinnacles of life: birth, life, and death inspire my design, pushing it towards a more meaningful ensemble or disassembly of space.
If there was a movie about your life, who would star as you? Juliette Binoche
Mae Murphy
Des Moines Studio
What school are you attending/did you graduate from? Iowa State University
Degree(s) and graduation year(s)? Bachelor of Architecture, 2022
Past experience/notable projects/senior thesis? Climate Action Centers (ARCH 301 project)
Where are you from? Des Moines, Iowa
One fun fact: This past winter break I traveled to the U.K., Ireland, and Italy with my mom and sister. It was amazing!
What do you like about the architecture and design industry? I love that within the architecture and design industry, we are constantly investigating and finding new ways to tackle things. There is an incredible opportunity to use education as a form of learning new techniques and experiencing the design practice.
What are you reading right now? “The Creative Habit” by Twyla Tharp
What inspires your design? I was first drawn to the architecture and design industry by learning about art. I love going to the Des Moines Art Center and finding inspiration from not only the pieces inside, but also to the three architects Richard Meier, I.M. Pei, and Eliel Saarinen.
If there was a movie about your life, who would star as you? Pam Halpert from “The Office”