Each year, OBM International (OBMI) offers summer employment to aspiring students studying architecture and Interior Design. Throughout the internship, students are afforded the resources, guidance and practical experience in the arena of architecture, interior design, landscape architecture and master planning. The main objective is to enrich and empower each student, in hopes they will be able to apply these skills with their studies and beyond.
This year three exceptional interns were given the invaluable opportunity; Ms. Clara James, Ms. Erin Fleming and Mr. Francis Mussenden.
Ms. Clara James was recommended to OBMI from the Department of Workforce Development. She currently attends Daniel’s Faculty of Architecture at the University of Toronto. She is enrolled in the Specialist in Architectural Studies: Comprehensive Stream Program. In September Ms. James will be entering into her third year. She anticipates to graduate in 2021 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Architectural Studies. Ms. James is a Bermuda High School alumni, where she earned an International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB).
“My internship with OBMI has been one of the most rewarding opportunities. One very exciting learning experience that I have had was being able to present my interior design ideas to a client along with the help of the senior interior designer, Vanessa Bean. My future goals are to obtain my Master’s degree in architecture and also obtain an interior design certification. After my studies I would love to come back to OBMI and work as either an architect or interior designer or both.”
Ms. Erin Fleming approached OBMI, after researching several architecture and design firms on the island. She found OBMI to be the most reputable, and displayed robust experience in the hospitality and healthcare industry. Ms. Fleming is currently enrolled in the Interior Design program at Humber College in Toronto, Canada. She will be going into her fourth and final year this September, and will graduate in spring 2020 with a Bachelor of Interior Design Degree. Post-graduation, her goal is to design healthcare spaces that encompass both aesthetics and function. Ms. Fleming graduated in 2016 from Cedar Bridge Academy with five GCSEs.
“The reason I chose OBMI to complete this work term is because I was confident that I would learn from the best on the island. OBMI is known for their outstanding work in Hospitality, Healthcare and residential projects. What I enjoy most about working at OBMI is the friendly office environment and the exposure I gained to Bermuda’s unique architecture. Everyone is friendly and willing to assist their colleague in any way possible. As a student I was embraced by the team. I thoroughly enjoyed utilizing the design skills I’ve learned in school in projects that improve Bermuda’s built environment.”
Mr. Francis Mussenden is celebrating his third year with OBMI. Mr. Mussenden currently attends The University of the West of England in Bristol. He just completed his first year of studies, and is on track to graduate with a BA (Hons) Architecture and Planning in the year 2022. Mr. Mussenden is a Warwick Academy class of 2017 alumni. Most recently, Mr. Mussenden was awarded the Stanley G. Kennedy Architectural Award by the Institute of Bermuda Architects (I.B.A). The award is presented to a Bermudian student(s) enrolled in a programme leading to an accredited degree in architecture. Equally, the candidate must have completed at least one year of studies, and demonstrates a high degree of academic merit. Mr. Mussenden was the sole recipient of this prestigious award, which included a monetary component to assist with education costs. The award is named after Stanley G. Kennedy, an architect who devoted much of his life to advancing educational and professional standards in the architectural profession both in Bermuda and in Jamaica.
“I enjoy that OBMI encourages students to challenge themselves. I started interning at OBMI back in 2017, and I have come to know so much about the architectural world of Bermuda. I’m very grateful for being able to do the “behind-the-scenes” work like going to Planning dept. and Fire dept. to submit drawings. OBMI is a very welcoming firm. Working in the office over the past three summers has helped improve my confidence, which has ultimately reflected in my work ethic in university. I’m very grateful and proud to say I’ve worked for a firm such as OBMI and I would encourage any student with a passion in architecture to do the same.”
OBMI was established in Bermuda in 1936. Today they are a global architecture and design firm, with a diversified portfolio. The Bermuda office is home to award winning architects and designers, and run by Michele Smith, Managing Director and Senior Interior Designer, and Colin Campbell, Regional Director, MIBA Senior Architect.
Originally published on Bernews.com
