Meet Our Summer Interns: Canaan & Michael
Canaan Thomas is entering her fourth year at the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design at the University of Arkansas, where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Architecture. Originally from Denison, Texas, she first arrived in New York City to pursue another creative passion—acting—but soon found herself drawn back to the intellectual rigor and creative depth of architecture. Since then, she’s embraced the discipline as the perfect intersection of curiosity, structure, and artistic expression. Portfolio
Michael Young is a Construction Management student at Pittsburg State University, entering his third year this fall. Originally from Gardner, Kansas—a small town outside Kansas City—Michael developed an early fascination with construction, often spending hours watching nearby building sites progress step by step.Though he initially considered a career in medicine, Michael’s passion for the building trades led him to discover Construction Management as a field that combined his interest in the built environment with a broader view of the process behind it.
Are there any specific areas of architecture that you are particularly interested in exploring or gaining more experience in?
Canaan: After my first year of Architecture school, I was awarded a travel fellowship in Japan where I traveled solo for 8 weeks writing, sketching, and reporting on the sensual qualities of four buildings. Following my travels, I wrote an extensive research analysis explaining how I believed incorporating and activating the senses through design was an asset to human experience. I am still moved by this idea and hope to continue learning and exploring how this can be done to improve people’s quality of life. Particularly, in places we frequent that often have unsettling environments like schools, offices, and social service buildings.
Michael: I am very interested in gaining more hands on experience. With this internship, I have gained experience from the architect’s point of view while working directly with the General Contractors, gaining a valuable understanding that will stick with me for my whole career. Working with the General Contractors has made me excited for what’s to come in my future and I can’t wait to gain that experience.
Have you completed any architectural projects or coursework that you found particularly challenging or rewarding?
Canaan: In the Spring of my third year, I worked on a project with a site in the Manhattanville neighborhood of New York. This project was particularly difficult because of the COTE Submission my studio-mates and I were working towards. The project considered things like code (which in NYC is an even bigger deal), combining two daunting programs, integration of the ten COTE principles and an intense, rich history to consider. I found it to be an incredibly rewarding semester because of the density of considerations that needed to be made. I felt like I could never put my pen (or my mouse) down and, honestly, never wanted to. There was just too much to explore! I felt proud and very rewarded at the end of the project.
Michael: My favorite project that I have done thus far in school is being a part of building affordable housing in the Pittsburg community. Gaining hands on experience while seeing all of the steps that go into building a home was very interesting. The amount of behind the scenes management work that goes on gave me a new perspective on the construction process.
Is there a specific project or type of building that you aspire to design someday? What makes it personally significant to you?
Canaan: I would really love to design publicly accessible schools that achieve a peaceful and comforting space for kids to experience each day. We spend most of our time indoors and I believe the spaces we exist in greatly influence our mental health and wellbeing. I imagine kids’ ability to learn and retain information would be both incentivized and encouraged through such spaces.
Michael: I love the idea of constructing larger projects, getting to see years of work come together to make a whole new structure. I would love to one day be able to construct large public spaces that can be used to serve the community for years to come. This internship has given me opportunities to work on shelters that actually make a difference in the community around us and I love the idea of that. The absolute dream would be to work on a huge sports complex for a college or professional sports team, connecting two things that I love.
What are some of the notable projects or experiences you've had during your time as an intern at ESKW/Architects?
Canaan: My site visit to Greenpoint Shelter has been my highlight so far! In school, you miss a lot of what the actual construction process and details are like. I visited alongside Anya Lee, and it was so inspiring to watch her be so knowledgeable and capable as a young, female professional. I got to read about the history of Greenpoint (one of my favorite parts of an architectural project) and then see how it has transformed to improve the community and the lives of people in need. Going to work at ESKW/Architects every day is something that feels immensely fulfilling and meaningful because of the work they provide.
Michael: The most memorable project that I have worked on this summer is the Earl Monroe New Renaissance Basketball High School. I found it very moving to be part of something that is changing the lives of kids in the area, giving them an opportunity at an education in which they would not have without this school. During the topping of ceremony, I got the opportunity to speak with some of the students that are currently attending the school and got to see how much of a difference it truly makes on a kid’s life. Being a part of this special project, working with NBA stars and many other people I would never have met if not for this project and most of all witnessing what a school can do for kids will stick with me my whole life.
Lastly, what has been a highlight of your stay in NYC?
Canaan: I think the highlight of my stay in NYC, outside of the office, has been my evening walks and explorations to places I hadn’t visited before. I have visited several times and spent the year in school here; however, I never had much downtime to just explore until this summer. I love going on walks and just seeing what I find. That’s one of the most unique and special things about the city to me. It’s not just the new sites or things you can find, it’s the new people, landscapes, stories, foods, etc. that are within footsteps.
Michael: New York City has been an incredible experience. It’s a whole different world up here. I have spent this summer exploring as much of the city as possible in one summer. Some of my favorite things to do are going to the beach, walking the city streets, and trying so many new foods. One of my favorite parts of NYC is that there is such a variety of food to choose from and it is all so good. I also love that there is always something going on and yet there are many places you can go to escape if needed. This summer has been an amazing experience that I am very grateful for. I am going to miss this city.
Canaan and Michael—it was such a pleasure having you two in the office this summer! Your curiosity and enthusiasm were a welcome presence, and we truly enjoyed your contributions to the team. We wish you both a smooth return to school and a bright future ahead—please keep in touch!
