Lelia Lupiañez
Architectural Intern
Uihlein-Wilson Architects, Milwaukee
Do you dream of designing buildings and shaping a community? If so, you may want to consider architecture. Read below to learn about the exciting job of Lelia Lupiañez, an architectural intern at Uihlein-Wilson Architects in Milwaukee.
How did you get interested in this field?
My father is an architect, and this started my curiosity in the career. I was intrigued by the degree of complexity involved in designing and constructing buildings, as well as the creativity needed to make all the aspects of a building be successful and look beautiful. As I researched more and more about the career, I realized that my inclinations toward my first choice, architecture, were only being reinforced.
What are the specific tasks that your job entails?
I am considered an Architectural Intern. This means a person who has finished all the levels of education required to become a licensed architect, but who needs to complete more steps in order to become one. To be licensed, an Architectural Intern has to work under a licensed architect for an established amount of hours and then take a series of exams.
The advantage of this process is that the Intern gets to work a good number of hours in every branch of the field. This is very helpful for future employers because Interns develop experience and an understanding of how other disciplines work and relate to architecture. It is very helpful for the Intern as well, helping them to figure out what they might be more interested in and why. The tasks of an Intern can vary from drafting construction documents to detailing parts of a building, preparing presentations for clients (design boards, renderings, Powerpoint slideshows, etc.), assisting with the design of a building or parts of buildings, field measuring existing buildings, going to job sites to meet with contractors and consultants, or estimating costs of a building, among others.
What is your educational background?
I received my undergraduate degree in Architecture at Catholic University of Nicaragua, my home country. The program was five years plus six months for a final thesis project.
I received my Master’s degree in Architecture at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, through the School of Architecture and Urban Planning. The masters program was two years and included a final thesis project.
What other kinds of steps did you take to prepare for your job?
Besides the required courses at school, I took some extra Historic Preservation courses that allowed me to have a deeper understanding of how to deal with existing historic structures. I also took some computer courses for drafting, 3D animation and rendering, and did summer internships related to my career. After I finished school, I became a member of a Historic Preservation Commission to get practical experience with Preservation. I am also working on completing the hours and exams required to get licensed.
How do you use technology to do your job?
We use technology with computer programs for drafting. These programs can be in two dimensions (2D) or three dimensions (3D). 3D programs help show the building as it will look once it’s finished. They can show buildings’ massing and volumes, or very detailed interior and exterior renderings. They are good for showing clients the final result, allowing the architect to make changes. They also show the architect technical conflicts in the design that would be hard to see in 2D.
Do you think that women are or can be treated differently from men in your field?
No. I think architecture is a field that has become more popular for women than it once was; therefore women in the field are considered and treated the same as men.
Does being a woman give you any special advantages in your chosen career?
No, I don’t think being a woman has given me any special advantage. When the work has to get done, it needs to get done well and on time, whether you are a man or a woman.
When you think about your workplace, what departments/fields do most of the women work in?
I think there are a lot of women who are registered architects and are in charge of their own projects. In what proportion in relationship with men I am not sure, but I think there is a need for more. I would say that although I know of women partners or heads of firms, these positions are still dominated by men.
How much does a woman typically earn in this line of work?
A person in the field of architecture can make from $30,000 to $100,000 or more, depending on level of experience, degree of responsibility, and location. This should be true for both men and women.
Do you think a woman’s appearance affects if she is hired to do a job or how people around her relate to her at work?
I think the way people present themselves has a direct impact in an interview as well as in the way people relate to them at work. This, I believe, has to do with personality, instead of simply the look, race or size of the person. Adequate physical presentation is of course important and communicates respect to clients and coworkers. Although personality and presentation are important, in the end, the person has to be qualified enough and perform the work well to be able to be hired and respected within the profession.
Did your family support your decision to pursue this career?
Yes, they did. As I mentioned before, my father is an architect. He had a lot of practical advice to offer during the process (and he still does) on both the positives and the negatives. The rest of my family was also supportive and happy with my decision. They helped me in many other ways, especially as I pursued my education.
Is there anything else you would like to tell girls about your career or how you got there?
The first thing I would tell the girls who think could have an interest in architecture is not to assume what being an architect is like before making a decision, as there could be some misunderstandings about the career. Get in contact with people in the field, asking them what their job is like and what it is that they enjoy most about being an architect, also to research and read about it, visit different firms, and, if you get a chance, to intern or shadow in a firm. And finally, if you think you are interested, explore it, go for it and don't give up!
Visit Uihlein-Wilson Architects! Explore their web site and see a picture of the staff and photos of some of the cool projects Lelia and other architects and architect interns have worked on at this company.
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