Chris, Class of 2022, is studying architecture at the University of Cincinnati.

Q: How would you describe the culture at Hutker?

A: Hutker is very warm, and everybody is super friendly. Everyone wants to see each other succeed and it’s a welcoming environment.

Q: How did you find this internship and why did you choose Hutker?

A: I knew of Hutker because Mark had given a talk at Cincinnati last year and I was talking to faculty about summer internships and Hutker was one of the ones that was highly recommended.  I also just loved the work that Hutker does, that’s what really stood out to me and what made me choose to intern here.

Q: How did your internship match your expectations?

A: I tried not to have too many expectations coming in, but I think that it exceeded them in many ways. I have been doing a lot more hands-on work than I thought I would be doing as an intern. For example, I get to do a lot of drawings and renderings so that was great to be given that responsibility.

Q: What was the most beneficial experience for you at HA?

A: The project I’m working on right now is going into the construction phase, so seeing the project go from design to construction has been really interesting.

Q: What’s the greatest challenge you’ve faced while you were interning?

A: I think going from architecture in school to architecture in practice is a huge leap, so bridging that learning curve of drawing floor plans to drawing specific houses with intricate details has been completely different.

Q: Based on your experience, what do you think it takes to be successful at HA?

A: You have to be willing to learn and keep your eyes open to new things. You have to be able to ask people for help if you need it and you have to be able to work hard and be efficient and focused.

Q: Do you feel more prepared to enter the field of design after spending your internship with HA?

A: Yeah, I am way more prepared than I was three months ago just because I now have more experience and I’ve seen a lot more architecture in practice. I’m able to better understand how the process works. Its such a small office and you really get to see the process and what goes on at the firm which has also been great.

Q: What is your favorite part about living on the Cape Cod?

A: I think the access to the beaches is the best. I can walk, bike or drive to the beach and hang out for the day and bring a lunch which has been nice. Its just totally a different environment from Cincinnati which has been a nice change of pace.

Q: What was your favorite thing to do with your time off during your time here?

A: I’ve been going up to Boston on the weekends. If I don’t go up to Boston, I’ll bike down to Woods Hole, get a sandwich at the Woods Hole Market, and go hang out on the beach and read or swim.

Q: If you were to give an incoming HA intern any advice, what would it be?

A; I think just keep your eyes open and see what other people are doing around you and ask a lot of questions because everything is happening right in front of you and you have all this knowledge at your fingertips. Documents are being put together, design plans are being figured out and issues are being resolved I think seeing all of that happen has been the most valuable thing.

Q: What was your favorite part about working here?

A:  I think that the work we’re doing is my favorite part. I think the ability to do this kind of work is pretty rare and so being able to have some kind of hand in putting the documents together has been really interesting.  I think I’m lucky to be able to do that and be a part of that as well. Seeing these amazing houses come together from start to finish has been really rewarding.