Six architecture students awarded competitive winter break internships

Offices of Kieran Timberlake.

Among the firms UB architecture students are interning with this winter break is Kieran Timberlake, a research-focused firm with offices in Philadelphia. 

by Charles Wingfelder

Published January 7, 2019 This content is archived.

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There are many ways to spend winter break. This January, six architecture students will head to work through four new winter session internship opportunities offered through the School of Architecture and Planning.

The competitive internship awards were recently announced by four leading firms – CannonDesign, FXCollaborative, Kieran Timberlake, and Landrum and Brown. In each case, the connections were cultivated by strong networks with alumni in leadership positions with the firms.

Placing students on working projects in the firm setting, the programs are designed to build students’ professional record. Such opportunities can also lead to longer-term internships or employment.

The awards are as follows:

Students Mira Shami (Architecture BS ‘20) and Mike Hoover (MArch ’20) will work out of the Buffalo office of global firm CannonDesign. A global firm with its central office in Buffalo, CannonDesign has long supported the school and its preparation of future architects. Since 2001, CannonDesign has offered an annual scholarship and summer internship program. The winter internship program was fostered by CannonDesign principal Michael Tunkey (BPS ’00) and design leader Luke Johnson (MArch '10, Architecture BS '05).

Elias Kotzambasis (MArch ’19) is heading to FXCollaborative’s headquarters in New York City. The connection builds off a successful UB placement last year in the firm’s internship program. The UB-FXCollaborative connection is supported by Mark Nusbaum (MArch '85 & BPS '83), a senior associate at the firm whose portfolio includes the restoration of Grand Central Terminal and the redevelopment of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. In addition to the internship, the firm has hosted student tours and networking events through the UB’s annual NYC Road Trip career trek.

William Baptiste (MArch ’19) will intern at KieranTimberlake, a Philadelphia-based firm whose leadership team includes Matthew Krissel (BPS ’97). KieranTimberlake is known worldwide for its research-driven practice and environmental ethos. A partner with the firm, Krissel leads building projects as well as the Digital Design Visioning Group, a creative collaborative that engages the firm’s cross-disciplinary perspectives to foster digital innovation. The firm also supports an annual scholarship program at the school, initiated in 2017 through a major endowment gift to the school.

Headed to Landrum and Brown’s New York office are Evan Martinez (MArch ‘19) and Austin Wyles (Architecture BS ’20). Landrum and Brown specializes in aviation planning and development. The internship program was developed in partnership with Joseph Barden (BPS '86), who has helped direct multiple projects as part the overall redevelopment of LAX and airports nationwide. Barden was in Buffalo earlier this year as part of the school’s fall 2018 public programs and lecture series.