KSUAE Students - on internships in the best international architectural companies

02/06/2025

KSUAE Students - on internships in the best international architectural companies

Students shared their impressions and told what they are currently doing. So, four countries, six students and a bureau!

Master's student Artur Akhunov began his internship at one of the best architectural studios in the world - Herzog & de Meuron (Switzerland). "I am working in a team on a project for the headquarters of a large company. I caught the project at a transitional moment from the sketch stage (Schematic Design) to the stage of more detailed development (Design Development). The object is complex, so, in my opinion, it will be interesting to delve into it and consider it from different angles".

Fatih Shakirov is currently doing an internship in Paris, in the studio of Jean Nouvel, a legend of 20th century architecture. "This was a very important and useful stage: • Participation in the landscape competition for the iconic The LINE in the Neom region of Saudi Arabia; • After several Parisian internships — finally the first project in Paris itself, namely Jean Nouvel's architectural intervention in Le Corbusier's building for the Salvation Army social housing (Armée du Salut Paris); • A joint office trip to Lyon with architectural visits to AJN sites. This is a brief look at this rich experience in the office of Ateliers Jean Nouvel".

Timur Abdrakhmanov has been interning at the iconic OMA bureau (Netherlands) of Rem Koolhaas since January. "In general, everything is good, the internship is going great, I got into good projects and teams. I spent most of the time working in a Dutch team on a competition for the renovation of a government building, and just a couple of days ago I started working in the Prada corner on the new Jacquemus boutique".

Sofia Makushkina is interning at the Parisian bureau Atelier Tsuyoshi Tane Architects. "The bureau is known for its deep conceptual approach and the "future archaeology" method - special attention to the history and context of the place even before the design begins. Their projects include the Estonian National Museum in Tartu and the Garden House on the Vitra campus. I am working on an exhibition of a fashion designer and on a project for an art commune in Brazil. The same thoughtful approach to pre-project analysis is very noticeable: here, each project begins with real research, not formal, but with real interest and attention to the place and context. The office itself is very green, sunny and cozy. There are a lot of interns now: you can have lunch together, ask any question or ask for help".

Valeria Burkova works in the Munich office of the architectural bureau Behnisch Architekten (Germany). "My internship at the architectural bureau Behnisch in Munich is very intense. I work in a team that creates conceptual solutions for architectural competitions. I have already participated in two public building projects, where I gained valuable experience at different stages — from analyzing the initial data to visualizing ideas. Each stage is exciting in its own way: at the initial stage, it is especially interesting to develop a general idea and look for an image that will shape the character of the future building, and then to see how this idea takes shape in drawings and models. Spring in Munich adds a special mood: the city blossoms, fills with light and greenery, which in itself becomes a source of inspiration for creative work."

Master's student Alfina Akhmer works in the French office of Kengo Kuma's bureau in Paris. "Currently, I am working at the design development stage (the stage after the approved schematic design, when the project is worked out in more detail.) I am participating in several projects in turn: High-rise multifunctional residential complex; Yacht club; Event Hall (Building for events); Suits (small residential facilities in a natural area). All projects are in Georgia, in different places".

And recently fourth-year student Sofia Shcherbak returned from an internship, she was the first to complete a six-month internship in Brazil.

The duration of professional internships in Europe lasts from six to twelve months, this is a very important stage in the development of a student architect as a professional. It should be noted that in order to complete an internship in an architectural bureau, it is necessary to present your portfolio and pass an interview, of course, in English. The professional training of our students makes it possible to create a high-level portfolio, and the skills acquired allow them to confidently participate in projects at different stages of development and integrate into the team as organically as possible.

Our students work under a contract with wages at the level of junior employees of the firm. The internship is a very important stage in the development of a student architect as a professional. It should be noted that in order to complete an internship in an architectural bureau, it is necessary to present your portfolio and pass an interview, of course, in English. The professional training of our students makes it possible to form a high-level portfolio, and the skills they acquire allow them to confidently participate in projects at various stages of development and integrate into the team as organically as possible.