Since the beginning of my architecture studies, I had the goal of working in an international firm where I could learn from people around the world about the best ways to design and build architecture. Through a university program aimed at connecting students with top-level offices, I decided to apply to SHoP Architects, as I was deeply inspired by their philosophy and vision, which combines technological innovation with a profound human approach.
To apply, I submitted my academic portfolio to a panel of deans and professors from the architecture school. After evaluating all applicants, six students were selected to intern abroad. Following my interview with SHoP, I was accepted for a one-year internship and immediately began the visa process to move to New York City.
Video courtesy of Aida Rodriguez
Arriving in a new country was both exciting and terrifying. I didn’t know anyone, wasn’t fully confident with the language, and was taking a huge leap from university to a world-renowned firm. After six months at SHoP, I can confidently say this experience has marked a before and after in both my personal and professional development. Every day, I work with incredibly talented and passionate people who generously share their knowledge and experience, always seeking collective growth. Each person brings a unique background, which strengthens the team and brings diverse perspectives to every discussion. It has been truly inspiring to observe SHoP’s way of working, a global vision that integrates all systems shaping a project, always striving to create something innovative, of high quality, and meaningful to both the community and the people it serves.
This vision begins with comprehensive studies at an urban scale, allowing a deeper understanding of the site’s dynamics, its social and environmental context, and how each project can meaningfully contribute to the city’s daily life. Whether it is through a new material or construction method, an intricate massing or formal solution, or a program that redefines how we engage with certain activities, SHoP’s work consistently strives to design innovative spaces that respond to their surroundings and enrich the experience of those who inhabit or pass through them.
Being part of this process has allowed me to understand architecture not only as a creative pursuit but as a collective effort to shape how people live and connect, an idea that continues to inspire the way I approach design every day. Working here has also meant facing real-world challenges, economic and political contexts, clients, manufacturers, things we rarely experience in school.
Transitioning from university to a large firm was challenging but eye-opening. I learned how a design evolves through multiple stages and how every decision requires coordination among architects, engineers, and consultants. I began to understand the importance of clear communication and attention to detail in every drawing and presentation. Participating in large-scale projects has been a completely new experience for me.
With every meeting, I’ve learned a great deal about the process of turning projects into built reality. SHoP believes in giving new team members real responsibility from day one. While that was initially intimidating, it has been incredibly rewarding. I was amazed by how quickly I could learn and by the impact my work could have on the future of our projects. Each day at the office is different. From conceptual design for new projects to detailed documentation for ongoing ones, everything I do is new to me.
I’m constantly pushed out of my comfort zone, but with the support of my colleagues, it’s been amazing to see how much I’ve grown and what we’ve achieved together. Since joining, I’ve developed in many aspects of the architectural discipline that have helped me grow into a more well-rounded professional. I’ve improved my visual and verbal communication skills by presenting ideas and progress to partners in English; refined my design sensitivity for spaces and experiences; strengthened my technical knowledge through learning about construction processes and architectural detailing; and enhanced my organization and time-management skills. I’ve also learned to use new architectural software such as Rhinoceros and Grasshopper, while deepening my knowledge of others like Revit.
Experiencing SHoP’s philosophy firsthand has shown me how technology and design thinking can be used to create architecture that is not only efficient but also deeply human. Seeing how digital tools, such as parametric design and computational modeling, are integrated into every stage of the process has expanded my understanding of innovation in architecture. It has been inspiring to witness how SHoP merges advanced technology with a sense of social responsibility, designing buildings that push the boundaries of construction while still focusing on the people who inhabit them.
Outside the office, New York offers a vast cultural and artistic scene that has broadened my perspective on both architecture and the world. If I had to describe the city in one word, it would be diversity: a palette of buildings from every architectural movement, a population made up of people from every corner of the world, countless museums, dozens of languages on the streets, endless expressions of fashion, and every type of food imaginable. I’ve also met many passionate individuals who come to this city with the intention of making an impact, and it’s always inspiring to exchange ideas and perspectives with them.
In conclusion, working at SHoP has been an incredibly enriching experience. At every stage of a project, whether big or small, architecture is seen as more than just buildings: it is about creating spaces that generate memories, experiences, and connections, fragments of people’s lives. I feel profoundly grateful to be part of this and to take with me lessons that will guide me throughout the rest of my professional career.
