Summer Days at Hoerr Schaudt

Katherine and Will hit the ground running in our Design, Siteworks, Planting Design, and Continued Landscape Management studios this summer. Their curiosity and contributions made a real impact on our team and projects. We love the energy that comes with fresh perspectives! Before they wrapped up their time here, we asked them to share some reflections - here's what they said:

How did your experience at Hoerr Schaudt shape your understanding of the field?

Katherine: At UVA I’m learning to conceptualize and design, which is a crucial first step, but at Hoerr Schaudt I saw a framework to develop concepts into deliverable projects with a consistent, high-level of execution.

Will: I believe I had a solid footing with how the industry functioned before this internship, but I absorbed lots of information about basic project functionality. Working with each team in the office, I got more familiar with what happens at each specific part of the project among SD, DD, and CD deadlines. These are very detailed and involved processes, and this summer helped me explore them. Another example was getting familiar with permitting. I found my permit research to be extremely fascinating, and I have never really explored this side of our limitations before. There are many other various examples like these that I learned throughout my time here. Seeing every piece of the project and asking questions also helped further my understanding as an intern. 

Was there a particular skill or tool you learned that you’re excited to use in the future?

Katherine: There are many! Michael gave me a tutorial on site analysis and drawing massing sketches. My desk mate Jace shared tricks in Rhino, AutoCad, and Grasshopper. And I’m excited to try out the graphic illustration techniques I learned from Xinran.

Will: When I came into Hoerr Schaudt, I was admittedly someone who didn’t have the biggest horticulture focus. Working with the Planting Design and Continued Landscape Maintenance studios right away not only expanded my knowledge but grew a passion for knowing and learning these species. Once I started getting familiar with a handful of these plants, I was satisfied with how I could learn so many species in a matter of days. This value is way more fulfilling than any technical AutoCAD or Photoshop skill that I have learned previously. I have certainly expanded my knowledge and productivity with using this software, but I am most excited to push the horticulture focus in the future.

What surprised you most about working at Hoerr Schaudt?

Katherine: I was surprised at how every team member at the KC office, not just my mentors, took the time to lead tutorials or walk me through a new process.

Will: Going from one role to another every other week was something that I enjoyed. Not only did I get fed the versatility that each studio has to offer, but I also got the opportunity to work with more people. Through this, I got my hands on more projects and had 5 or so new projects on each week’s timesheet. Switching teams also promote everyday interactions with new people, which is crucial for a large office. I always try to reach out and have conversations with colleagues during lunch or in passing, but working with practically everybody establishes new connections that go deeper than the surface level. It would be a difficult decision to select only one team since I worked with some amazing projects and many amazing people.

Can you share one memorable moment related to your career/work, and one about the people or personal connections you made?

Cecelia: The Charles Owens Park project was an internship highlight. It combined my favorite project elements: an ecologically-focused park design shaped by strong engagement with the community.
Halfway through the internship I joined for the summer gathering in Chicago. It was a great time! I got to meet many Hoerr Schaudt Chicago and Richmond colleagues.

Will: One of my favorite work memories was going to the Old Chicago Post Office. Seeing sites in the field exposes me to the unique challenges that each project can have. In general, site visits are always informative, but this one was unlike any other. This project resides on the roof top of an old historic building. It is a beautiful grassland prairie that is a secluded private space for corporate employees. Every single time The Old Chicago Post Office is brought up in conversation, I am reminded of how lucky I am to have seen this site.