My name is Justin Brown, and I have secured an architectural internship with the company Merrick & Co. My mentors are Venessa Saad, an architect; Liliana Lopez, Merrick's Atlanta office manager and architect; and Bill Clark, a mechanical engineer. I began my internship on August 11, 2025, and I have been trying to work 3 days a week since then (excluding school breaks). 

Overall, my experience at Merrick has been very positive; my bosses are nice, and the projects I have completed have taught me a lot. Also, the instructions and deadlines for the assignments I work on are very clear. We are given as much time as necessary to complete assignments. In addition to well-thought-out assignments, the environment at Merrick is pleasant. I have my own work desk and can ask questions to any of my mentors through the app Teams. Before Thanksgiving break, there was a giant potluck, and it was very fun. Because my internship is unpaid, I do not have any responsibilities that the company relies on me for. Instead, as mentioned before, my internship solely teaches the skills I will need to learn.

Purpose of Merrick & Co.

Merrick & Co. exists to provide professional engineering, architecture, and consulting services that support the planning, design, and delivery of complex projects for both public and private sector clients. The company’s mission is to solve technical challenges practically, sustainably, and responsively to client needs. By combining technical expertise with collaboration and innovation, Merrick & Co. aims to create safe, efficient, and well-designed solutions that positively impact communities, infrastructure, and the built environment.

Type of Work Performed

The work performed at Merrick & Co. spans multiple disciplines, including architecture, mechanical and electrical engineering, civil and structural engineering, and project management. The company is involved in the design and development of buildings and systems, from early planning and conceptual design through detailed construction documents and project execution. Projects often require close coordination among different technical teams to ensure functionality, efficiency, and code compliance. Through this multidisciplinary approach, Merrick & Co. delivers comprehensive design and engineering solutions for a wide range of facilities and infrastructure projects.

There are two main software used at Merrick: 

Revit is a building design software used to create detailed 3D models and construction drawings for architectural projects. It allows designers and engineers to work within the same model, making it easier to coordinate different building systems and keep drawings accurate as changes are made. Revit is commonly used throughout the design process, from early planning to final construction documents.

Bluebeam is a software program used to view, review, and mark up digital construction drawings and documents. It allows users to add comments, measurements, and revisions directly to PDF files, making communication clearer and more efficient. Bluebeam is often used to review drawings, track changes, and help ensure that project documents are accurate and well organized.

The project was about exploring architectural massing, how simple shapes like cubes can come together to create a unified form. This project helped me build a strong foundation in thinking about space, form, and the relationship between solid and void. My role was to create two different parti concepts, choose one to develop, and carry it through all stages, from axonometric drawings to a digital model, a physical model, and a full set of orthographic drawings for the final presentation.

To complete the project, I followed a step-by-step process that began with developing two parti concepts and then selecting one to use. I turned the chosen parti into an axonometric drawing to visualize the three-dimensional relationships between solids and voids. Using Revit, I created a detailed digital 3D model and different 2D models of the left, front, and top views. For the physical model, I designed individual pieces in Onshape and used a Glowforge laser cutter to cut wood and cardboard components, which I then assembled with tape and Elmer’s glue. Throughout the process, I faced challenges in arranging the cubes so that each remained easy to identify, and in making the design across drawing, digital, and physical formats. These issues were addressed through trial and error processes at every stage, refining proportions, alignments, and assembly techniques to achieve a unified and legible final composition.

The final product was well thought out and made. We were provided between 1-2 months to complete this assignment. This project was mostly just a teaching lesson for me to learn how masses affected each other. When I needed help, I could always ask one of my mentors, so it was a very enjoyable experience.

Designing Partis

One of the first tasks was creating parti drawings to visualize how the cubes would be arranged and assembled. The parti drawings helped me explore different formal compositions before moving on to more detailed work. (Top left photo)

3D Drawing

My experience with 3D drawings at Drew prepared me to create axonometric and isometric drawings of the cubes, helping me understand spatial relationships and orthogonal alignment. (Second photo from the top)

Revit

I used Revit to create my virtual 3D model. This was my first time using Revit for Assignment 1, which made it both a challenging and valuable learning experience.

Bluebeam

Bluebeam was used by my supervisors to review and correct my Revit designs. They added redlines to highlight any issues. For example, one time I needed to change a title from lowercase to all caps. Checking Bluebeam allowed me to identify the problem and fix it quickly.

Assembling 3D Models

The final step of the project was assembling a physical 3D model of my composition. I used Onshape to design the parts and the Glowforge laser cutter to cut wood and cardboard components, which I then assembled to create the completed model.

What was the most important thing you learned from your internship? 

The most important thing I have learned from my internship is what I need to know how to do to be an architect for Merrick. My internship assignments were not just meant to show me the day in the life of an architect. Instead, I learned about the design process and how projects move from early ideas to final plans. I also gained experience working in a professional office environment. In addition, I learned important software skills that architects use daily. Overall, the internship gave me a general understanding of what I need to know to work in the field. 

What engineering practices or mindsets did you see professionals using? 

I see the people around the office practicing many different engineering practices and mindsets. One mindset I have seen is that they are focused on problem-solving first. This means they focus on understanding the root problem before jumping to solutions. Another mindset I noticed is not leaving something just as good enough. The professionals are always looking for ways to improve their work. One practice I have seen is iterative design, where you come up with an initial idea and then refine it to perfection.

What surprised you about the engineering workplace?

I was surprised by how casual the environment is at my workplace. I first came in expecting my coworkers and bosses to be strict and the office to be boring. However, the people at my internship are funny and friendly. Everyone still works hard, but there is a comfortable atmosphere. In fact, every Friday for the first 20 minutes of my work, I do a Philosophy Friday with one of my mentors. Another example is that during a break, I joined a Zoom call with my other coworkers and bosses, and they were talking about what they would do if they were invisible for a day.

How did this internship influence your future goals?

Before this internship, I was unsure whether I wanted to study architecture or mechanical engineering in college. Working on real projects helped me understand the differences between the two fields. My projects of recreating the ABA standard of accessibility and space organization were both pretty cool. These projects made me more interested in architectural design. I also met a lot of great people in both the engineering and architectural fields. With all of the interesting projects I have done and the people I have met, this internship has pushed me toward architecture.

What advice would you give a future student in this internship?

One piece of advice that I would recommend to a future student in this internship is to stay on top of your assignments. Every day I go into my internship office, I am told by my mentor what I need to work on and accomplish that day. Managing your time well is very important. Getting behind on work would be very bad and stressful. It could mess up the mentor’s schedule and cause you to work extra hours in order to catch up. The image other people have of you at the workplace is important to keep strong, being late or unreliable to finish assignments provided to you is not a good look.