Earlier this summer, Delaney Carmen joined SZ Design | Build, as an Architectural Intern from the University of Washington - College of Built Environments. She is currently completing her summer internship before her new academic year begins later this month. During these very busy months, Delaney assisted in recording as-built field measurements, project programming, code research, space planning and schematic design presentations. As part of a Design | Build team, she also observed construction progress on various jobsites. In addition, Delaney has played a pivotal role in curating and installing artwork for our upcoming exhibition, Control Anatomy by Mahmoud Alhaj.
Delaney’s attention to detail, creativity and collaborative spirit contribute to our positive team and client experiences throughout SZ’s Design | Build process. We’re thrilled that Delaney has agreed to stay on part-time as our architectural intern, while back to school. Can’t wait to see what she accomplishes next.
Get to know Delaney through her responses to a few ‘getting to know you’ questions below.
What’s the most exciting part of your job?
There’s something so satisfying about getting a flash of inspiration when designing and figuring out the perfect solution to a challenge! Design in general is always an exciting puzzle to solve.
Have you ever had any mentors in your professional life? How did they help you?
A little corny, but I consider all my peers to have mentored me in some way. I think there is something to be learned from everyone’s unique mindset and experience, and I love to hear how others perceive the world because it helps me analyze and design with a more holistic approach.
What would you want people to say about you at your retirement party?
If nothing else, I hope they say I was always having fun!
What’s your ideal work-life balance?
Keep work at work, and home at home - but sometimes I can’t help getting excited and thinking about a project’s design in my off time. I also like to make sure to plan things to do whenever I can instead of just waiting for the weekends.
What’s the best piece of career advice you ever got?
One of my old boss’ favorite phrases was to say “don’t make much ado about nothing” - I think of it any time I get stressed. Nothing is ever as serious as a client will have you believe; always do your best, but keep it in perspective and don’t let it get to you.
What are the most important qualities in a leader?
In my experience, I think someone who is humble and decisive are both good and necessary qualities in a leader. You need someone who is comfortable being in charge, but who views it more as a responsibility than a title.
What was your first job?
I worked at a nonprofit organization - funded by my city and the region’s gas/electric provider - to install energy efficient light and water fixtures in underprivileged households for free. To this day I look back on it fondly because it exposed me to so many different types of people, and there’s really no better feeling than helping others and the environment too.
How would you describe yourself in 5 words?
curious, clumsy, easygoing, empathetic, scrappy
What do you hope to be doing in 10 years’ time?
I’d love to be a licensed architect, and even more so in a foreign country so I can continue learning about the practice from as many places and people as possible. One day I’d like to own my own firm too - but all in due time.
Do you have any hidden talents or skills? What are they?
I love to paint! One of my more wishful dreams is to be able to practice it in architecture as well; I love hand drawn plans and vignettes and would love to incorporate some of that human touch back into the practice. To date, all of my architectural projects in my educational career are rendered by hand.