2024 Summer Interns Spotlight
As design students at the University of Oregon head into studio review week, we’d like to spotlight our wonderful 2024 summer interns: Chi Rocha and Javier Fregoso-Duenas. Both are currently in their last year at the University of Oregon’s College of Architecture and Environment—Chi is finishing her master’s degree in architecture, Javier his bachelor’s.
Over the course of three months at the RBA office, Chi and Javier participated in many active projects, including the LCC Building 16 Renovation, Alma Apartments, People’s Bank renovation, YMCA Veterans Housing project, and many others. Their work included 3D modelling, listening into meetings, and visiting construction sites.
Under the guidance of Principal Britni Jessup, they developed design options, communicated with the client, and gave a presentation for a small office remodel. From past experience with the client, it was decided to present hand-renderings instead of hardline computer renderings. Javier and Chi hand-rendered the nine design options/iterations.
As a steady, smaller-scale project throughout their internships, Chi and Javier researched, designed, and developed plan sets for an accessible ADU project in Eugene. These individual projects culminated in presentations to the RBA office. They received feedback both as part of the presentation and in follow-up, one-on-one “redline” sessions.
While Javier and Chi worked primarily with Britni Jessup, Peter King, Mark Young, Matt Travis, and Lorri Nelson, they also worked and received feedback from many other architects and designers in the firm, including Frank Visconti, Elizabeth Brophy, Ryan Champagne, Tricia Berg, and Brooke McDonald. We appreciated how both Javier and Chi immersed themselves in our collaborative work environment.
Chi and Javier bring diverse perspectives and experiences to their designs. Born and raised in Vietnam, Chi took part in the design and construction of her family home. While the construction systems and methods, influenced by climate, are probably the biggest differences between architecture in Vietnam and the US, Chi also highlights how cultural influences affects our built environment. “Similar to the arts and music,” Chi explains, “architecture is greatly influenced by culture, and architects need to take this factor into consideration in design (respecting but sometimes challenging it if necessary).”
Born and still living in Creswell, Oregon, Javier’s family background helped spark his interest in design. According to Javier, “visiting family in Mexico and seeing the different architectural styles and materials used in comparison to ones used here was interesting.” He is drawn to architecture because “it is like solving a puzzle and I have to put all the different pieces together. It’s a fun challenge taking into consideration contexts of sites and factors of design to make something new from an idea.”
Chi found that this multifaceted nature of architecture was one of her biggest takeaways from the internship. “There is so much to consider for a real-life project compared to what we do in school,” Chi said, “from ease of construction, cost, time, to maintenance. I kind of knew this in theory, but being able to witness/dive into it helps me…make more deliberate decisions in the design process.”
A great big shoutout to Chi and Javier for all the hard work they did this summer in our office! Hope studio review goes well!!