Shane Fogarty hails from Gastonia, North Carolina, and works as an intern in our Raleigh office. He is currently entering his fifth year in NC State’s Bachelor of Architecture program and is excited to continue honing his skill set and exploring different sectors and building typologies.
Why did you choose to study architecture?
I originally intended to go into engineering, but I liked that architecture allowed for more creativity while also creating tangible solutions to problems.
What building typologies are you most interested in?
I’m still trying to figure out what building types are most interesting to me. I enjoy the K-12 and higher education sectors a lot. I’m also interested in exploring sustainability and adaptive reuse more.
Is this the first time you’ve done an internship?
No, I worked at an architecture firm that did mostly commercial work last summer. I also interned with NC State’s construction management group for two years.
How did you learn about the internship?
I learned about Moseley Architects at meetings when I was interning with NC State, a client that the firm still works with. I found out about the internship opportunity during NC State’s design career fair.
If you had to describe your Moseley intern experience thus far using three words, what would they be?
Welcoming, educational, and fun!
What are some of the assignments you’ve been given?
I’ve been working on an enhanced design narrative for the renovation of a local high school. I’ve also helped prepare diagrams and renderings for interviews with higher education clients. I’m also helping lead the design for Barkitecture, an AIA fundraiser for which architects compete in designing houses for pets!
What assignment have you enjoyed the most so far?
I’ve really enjoyed working on the enhanced design narrative for the high school renovation. The school has a very complex layout and it’s felt like a puzzle trying to understand what programs are needed, where they can be placed, and how to renovate it most efficiently.
Have you encountered any challenges during your internship?
It’s been a challenge to learn new software. I’ve never used Revit before, and it has so many options that it can be a bit overwhelming.
How has the actual experience differed from your expectations of it?
Architecture as a profession is very different than architecture school. Working with a real client means that the budget and program are not as flexible as they are in school projects. The design process looks a lot different in the profession compared to what we are taught in architecture studios.
Have you worked on any projects outside the K-12 sector?
Yes! I’ve been helping prepare for some interviews for high education projects. These include renovations of buildings at community colleges in North Carolina.
Have any of your assignments required you to collaborate with any non-architects involved in design (ex: engineers, interior designers, sustainability coordinators, construction contract administrators)?
Yes. I’ve been in meetings with our consultants, contractors, and clients. Meeting with the client is the most interesting part to me. In school, we are typically creating a theoretical project for an imaginary client. It’s rewarding to hear a real client’s issues and then work to resolve them through design.
What is the most valuable thing you’ve learned or the best advice you’ve received during the internship so far?
I’ve learned a lot about how I can best contribute to a project. It can be intimidating to suggest design ideas when you’re the least experienced person in the room, but I’ve been learning how to support the design process beyond just digital representation. For projects in K-12 and higher education, I think my design perspectives can be especially valuable since I am a current student.
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