Summer Interns Contribute to Multiple Projects at PMA

PMA welcomed four interns this summer who contributed to a variety of projects focused on architecture, interior design, historic preservation, and local government planning.

“It's always a pleasure working with young, fresh minds,” said PMA Architecture Interior Designer Cara Adams, NCIDQ. “The opportunity to teach and share industry knowledge with interns is rewarding, as well as the different points of view and ideas they bring to the table, which ultimately equates to better final products in our projects.”

For example, Charlotte Acker, a Newport News native and rising senior studying Urban Planning and Policy at Virginia Tech gathered information, project deliverables and cost estimates for planning awards submissions. “I got to look at different planning projects from across the country,” said Charlotte. She also used Sketchup, a computer automated drawing program, to develop a 3D model of Port Warwick, an urban community in Newport News that is a signature PMA project. “Not only did I get to learn a new application skill, but I had an opportunity to expand my view of the Planning field from both public and private sectors.”

Architectural Design intern, Will Griffiths, is entering his junior year at Appalachian State University. Will contributed to multiple projects this summer such as pre-construction documents for a new commercial development and created schematics for the Peninsula Town Center Chapman apartments using REVIT (3D building modeling) and Enscape (commercial rendering software) programs. “I’ve experienced teamwork in school projects, but it’s nice to finally implement things I’ve learned in school into an actual workplace,” said Will. “People are more passionate about their work in the real world, rather than a group of students working on a hypothetical project.”

Rebecca Kellam, a recent graduate of the University of Mary Washington, assisted PMA’s Architectural Historian and Preservation Specialist Melissa Butler, MHP, with historic properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Rebecca assisted Melissa with an NRHP property this summer at Naval Station Norfolk: the Jamestown Exposition buildings. “I gained a real world understanding of how historic properties are preserved,” said Rebecca. She enjoyed learning about the history behind buildings, especially the Vermont House at the Jamestown Exposition housing, designed by Josephine Wright Chapman, one of the first American female architects of the 20^th century. “It was cool to see these buildings in person and take photos of properties that I had researched.”

Additionally, Interior Design intern, Hannah Nelson worked alongside PMA’s interior design team to select fabrics and furniture for a residential project and create floorplan layouts for a renovation of PMA’s second-floor office space.

“Hannah blew me away with the concepts she helped prepare for reconfiguring PMA's second floor workspace,” said Pam Scruggs, PMA’s Proposal Manager. “She produced three great design alternatives and walked us through each one. I can’t wait to share pictures with her when the second-floor project is done.”

Hannah is a rising senior at Virginia Tech, who enjoyed the ability to observe meetings with PMA clientele to understand the interior design planning process. “I liked seeing the administrative side of interior design,” said Hannah. “Doing things like chatting with reps, getting quotes, and attending meetings.” Hannah added that her favorite part of her internship with PMA was, “the challenge of thinking outside the box for project dilemmas and collaborating with other staff.”

PMA opens its doors to interns each summer and this year was no different. Charlotte, Will, Rebecca and Hannah were an asset to PMA this summer and the firm thanks them tremendously for all their hard work.

Summer interns standing outside PMA. From left to right: Hannah Nelson, Charlotte Acker and Will Griffiths. Photo credit: Sara Garvin

Summer intern, Rebecca Kellam, photographs a National Register of Historic Places listed property on Naval Station Norfolk. Photo credit: Melissa Butler, MHP

Summer interns standing outside PMA. From left to right: Hannah Nelson, Charlotte Acker and Will Griffiths. Photo credit: Sara Garvin

Summer intern, Rebecca Kellam, works alongside PMA's Principal and Interior Designer, Katie Stodghill. Photo credit: Sara Xu