When I started my internship at Greyten, I had only completed two out of my five years of college, so it’s safe to say I was a little nervous. I wasn’t sure what to expect or if I’d feel ready to contribute to real projects. It didn’t take long to realize I had nothing to worry about, they definitely kept me busy, and I loved every minute of it.
From day one, I was able to jump into real project work.
I helped with record drawings and construction documents, sat in on client meetings, attended product rep presentations, and looked forward to the many lunch-and-learns (because who doesn’t love free lunch while learning something new?). Every week brought a new opportunity to see another side of the architecture and design process.
One of the biggest projects I worked on was St. Peter’s Catholic Church. I had the opportunity to help with field measurements, attend weekly project meetings, and assist in keeping the drawings and project information updated as the design progressed.
It was exciting to watch a project evolve and see how much collaboration goes into every decision.
Another project that was especially fun was designing a spec home for Greyten’s website. The challenge was to create a 1,500-square-foot, two-bedroom, two-bathroom home while incorporating principles of neuroaesthetics.
Which is a design approach that explores how our surroundings can positively impact the way we think, feel, and function.
Since there wasn’t a specific client or site, I had the freedom to research, experiment, and design from a completely different perspective. It pushed me to think creatively and showed me that good design isn’t just about meeting a client’s needs, it’s also about creating spaces that help people feel their best.
As much as I enjoyed the technical side of architecture, my favorite part of the summer was seeing the impact our work has on clients. Whether it was helping move a project forward or watching someone’s vision slowly become a reality, it reminded me why I chose this field in the first place.
Great design isn’t just about beautiful buildings, it’s about creating spaces that improve people’s lives.
Looking back, this internship gave me so much more than professional experience. It gave me confidence, challenged me to grow as a designer, and showed me what life in an architecture firm is really like. My summer at Greyten was filled with learning, laughter, creativity, and an incredible team that was always willing to teach and encourage me. I couldn’t have asked for a better internship experience, and I’m excited to take everything I’ve learned back with me as I continue my journey through K-State.
-Regan Hedstrom
