13 Architecture Summer Internships for Undergraduates
- Stephen Turban
- 40 minutes ago
- 7 min read
If you're studying architecture, a summer internship is one of the most practical ways to bridge the gap between studio work and application. These experiences give you insight into how design concepts evolve into finished projects, how firms operate day-to-day, and how architects collaborate with clients, engineers, and builders.Â
Unlike coursework that focuses on theory and individual projects, internships place you in active design environments where communication, teamwork, and adaptability matter just as much as creativity. Offered by universities and organizations, these opportunities allow you to work with and learn from professionals and build connections with them, helping you develop your network.
Below are 13 architecture summer internships for undergraduates, chosen for their professional relevance, mentorship opportunities, and potential to help you grow your network in the field.
If you are looking for internships, check out our blog here.
13 Architecture Summer Internships for Undergraduates
Location:Â Remote
Cost:Â Varies depending on program type (financial aid available)
Dates:Â Multiple 8-week cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline:Â Varies depending on cohort
Eligibility:Â Undergraduates and gap-year students able to commit 10-20 hours per week
For a flexible yet impactful experience, the Ladder University Internship stands out. This fully remote program offers real-world exposure by matching you with a global startup or NGO to work on meaningful projects from home. You'll benefit from a Ladder Coach, a dedicated mentor who will guide you, help you set goals, and provide feedback on your presentations. You'll gain valuable projects to enhance your professional portfolio. It’s one of the most accessible architecture summer internships for undergraduates because it combines mentorship, professional exposure, and flexibility. Apply here.
Location:Â HGA offices across the U.S.
Cost:Â Free (relocation stipend available)
Dates: 10 – 12 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline:Â Varies by office
Eligibility:Â Undergraduate students studying Architecture
HGA’s internship integrates students into multidisciplinary project teams where architecture intersects with engineering, interior design, and planning. Interns contribute to live projects using industry-standard tools such as Revit, Adobe Creative Suite, and Rhino. You’ll also get to participate in design critiques, office-wide events, and site visits, offering a comprehensive view of firm operations and design execution. Plus, the mentorship culture at HGA is strong, and you’ll learn directly from senior designers who’ve been in the field for years.
Location:Â Multiple U.S. offices
Stipend:Â Paid
Dates: June 3 – August 1
Application Deadline:Â March 15
Eligibility:Â Undergraduates entering their final year
Designed for students with interests in research-driven and user-centered design, the Gensler Summer Fellowship places a select group of interns into cross-disciplinary teams working on speculative and applied projects tied to urban innovation. The fellowship emphasizes systems thinking, data-informed design, and future-forward architectural inquiry. Fellows receive mentoring from senior leadership and participate in structured presentations that simulate real client engagement. This architecture summer internship for undergraduates is tailored for emerging designers looking to bridge conceptual work with practical urban solutions.
Location:Â Seattle, WA
Stipend:Â Paid ($25.75/hour)
Dates:Â 6 months
Application Deadline:Â Rolling
Eligibility:Â Undergraduate students or recent graduates in architecture
Olson Kundig’s internship is distinguished by its emphasis on materiality, detail, and craft within a rigorously collaborative design studio. Interns are integrated into project teams and assist with schematic design, drafting in AutoCAD, BIM modeling in Revit, and assembling construction documentation. The firm’s education-rich environment includes weekly design reviews, lectures, and construction site visits, allowing interns to follow projects through various phases of development. The extended duration ensures deep engagement with the studio’s iterative design process and architectural philosophy.
Location:Â New York, NY
Stipend:Â Paid ($25/hour)
Dates: Mid-July – Mid-September
Application Deadline:Â Rolling
Eligibility:Â Undergraduate students in architecture or visualization-related fields
Focused on digital storytelling and architectural representation, KPF’s Visualization Internship offers a deep dive into the visual communication practices of a global design firm. Interns work on rendering, animation, and conceptual visualization using platforms like D5 Render, Enscape, and AI-assisted tools such as Midjourney. Projects span multiple typologies and global regions, offering a window into large-scale urban design and commercial architecture. This internship is particularly well-suited to students interested in digital craft, representation theory, and multimedia workflows.
Location:Â Washington, D.C.
Stipend:Â Paid
Dates:Â 12 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Typically November – January
Eligibility:Â College and trade school undergraduates
Hosted within the U.S. Capitol complex, this internship introduces students to architectural preservation, facilities planning, and heritage conservation at the federal level. Interns work alongside registered architects and preservation specialists on projects involving historic structures, monuments, and landscapes. Tasks may include site assessments, documentation, project planning, and technical research. The role emphasizes the intersection of architecture with public stewardship, policy, and civic infrastructure.
Location:Â Indianapolis, IN
Stipend: Paid ($21 – $25/hour)
Dates: January – May
Application Deadline:Â Rolling
Eligibility:Â Undergraduate students (preferably juniors or seniors)
At Woolpert, you’ll be part of a multidisciplinary team that combines architecture, engineering, and geospatial design. Interns support project teams by contributing to construction documentation, 3D modeling, and rendering development. Emphasis is placed on understanding design within broader environmental and infrastructural contexts. The program also includes mentorship from licensed professionals and opportunities to participate in client-facing meetings. It can be a good option for students looking to develop a systems-level view of architectural practice.
Location:Â New York, NY
Stipend: Paid ($2,000 – $2,500, depending on hours)
Dates: 12 – 15 weeks (Fall)
Application Deadline:Â Rolling
Eligibility:Â Architecture undergraduates or recent graduates with AutoCAD and Revit skills
This hands-on internship places students directly into the operations of a compact, high-output design studio in New York City. Interns are expected to contribute to drafting, design development, and sometimes construction coordination across a diverse portfolio that may include hospitality, residential, and mixed-use projects. The studio’s lean team structure ensures meaningful responsibility and direct interaction with lead designers. You’ll be asked to meet deadlines, communicate clearly, and manage your time like a professional architect. By the end, you’ll have a much better sense of how architectural firms operate day to day, and you’ll come out more confident in your professional skills.
Location:Â Hingham, MA or Simsbury, CT
Stipend:Â Paid
Dates:Â Fall semester (can extend into Spring)
Application Deadline:Â Rolling
Eligibility:Â Undergraduate architecture majors
This Architecture Co-op experience integrates students into project teams focused on public and private-sector architectural projects. You’ll assist with producing detailed drawings, conducting code analyses, and preparing LEED documentation. Emphasis is placed on the technical execution of architectural concepts and the integration of sustainable design strategies. The office atmosphere is small and collaborative, which means you’ll get to know your mentors personally, and they’ll often give you detailed feedback on your work. This architecture summer internship for undergraduates is great for students who care about sustainability and environmental design, since Colliers often works on green-certified buildings and infrastructure projects.
Location:Â Multiple offices (Boston, Detroit, Washington, D.C., etc.)
Stipend:Â $1,000 scholarship
Dates:Â Summer
Application Deadline:Â September 30
Eligibility:Â Penn State architecture students (3rd or 4th year) with a 3.0 GPA
This program combines financial support with full-time internship experience at SmithGroup, a leading multidisciplinary firm known for institutional and research-driven projects. You’ll engage in both design and technical work, gaining exposure to integrated building systems, sustainability strategies, and cross-disciplinary collaboration with engineers and planners. For students interested in health care, education, or civic architecture, the internship provides insight into large-scale, systems-based design solutions and the documentation processes behind complex buildings.
Location:Â Washington, D.C.
Stipend: $6,000 stipend
Dates:Â 10 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline:Â Rolling
Eligibility:Â Students or recent graduates in landscape architecture
This internship lets you work in one of the most beautiful and historic environments in the country: the Smithsonian Gardens. You’ll help with landscape planning, master plans, and garden design projects that shape how visitors experience the Smithsonian’s public spaces. Interns collaborate with horticulturists, architects, and preservationists, making this an excellent opportunity for those interested in the intersection of landscape architecture, sustainability, and cultural heritage.
Location:Â Washington, D.C.
Stipend: $8,000 – $12,000 stipend
Dates: 12 weeks from Late May – August
Application Deadline:Â March 3
Eligibility: Undergraduates who’ve completed at least three years of study
Focused on preservation and historical documentation, the Architectural Historian Internship trains students in field survey methods, archival research, photography, and drawing preparation for historic structures. Work produced during the internship may be archived in the Library of Congress and used in official government reports. Interns also learn to assess structural conditions and contribute to preservation planning. It’s a strong fit for students with interests in architectural history, cultural landscapes, and documentation practices.
Location:Â SOM studios worldwide (Chicago, London, Dubai, New York, etc.)
Cost:Â Free
Dates: January 13 – 17
Application Deadline:Â November 3
Eligibility:Â Undergraduate and graduate students in architecture, design, or related fields
Though brief, SOM’s Winter Shadowship offers an immersive introduction to practice at one of the world's most influential architecture firms. Participants gain exposure to SOM’s global workflows, design ethos, and interdisciplinary approach through studio tours, workshops, and seminars led by senior designers. The program gives you a glimpse into high-level projects and shows you how global collaboration works. While not a traditional internship, the experience is highly focused on mentorship and professional orientation.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here, check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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