In this portrait, we meet Vera, who reflects openly on her time at Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects. Through her words – and her own photos – we get a close-up look at the everyday experience of being an intern.

What does a typical day as an intern at Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects look like?

“In many ways, it mirrors the day of any other employee. I’d arrive at my regular workstation, seated with the rest of my project team. As an intern, you’re paired with a mentor – usually the project lead – who ensures you’re doing well, have meaningful tasks to work on, and are up to speed on everything happening in the project.

I was part of a very small team, which meant I got to take part in lots of meetings and technical discussions. That gave me a constant awareness of the challenges we were working through.

I quickly felt like an integrated member of both my team and the studio. I wasn’t treated differently because I was “just” an intern – and that made me want to contribute, take initiative, and step up with a sense of ownership.” 

What has surprised you about being an intern (any ‘aha’ moments)?

“Starting out at a large, highly regarded studio, I felt a bit unsure. I remember thinking on my first day: ‘Can I really contribute anything here?’ But I quickly realised that the gap between what we learn in school and how things work in practice isn’t as wide as I thought.
That said, I learned a lot – and much of it just by observing. Things like project planning, professional communication with collaborators, and how decisions are made in real-time.

In essence, working in practice is quite similar to school projects – just on a larger scale, and with a lot more complexity. One thing that really surprised me was how much information the digital model holds, and how central it is to the project. It acts as a shared language and a collaborative hub, and gaining that insight gave me a whole new respect for digital tools.

There’s also a strong emphasis at the studio on professional development and keeping up with industry trends. That gave me the feeling that we were all working together toward something bigger – with a shared sense of responsibility for how the field evolves, whether in terms of climate, technology, or social impact.

And everything wasn’t just desk work – I also got to break things up with courses, lectures, and site visits, which made the experience even more rewarding."

Do you have any favourite memories or special moments you’d like to share from your time as an intern?

“I was fortunate to be part of a cross-disciplinary review process, where my team met with all the external consultants. It was an incredibly valuable experience, because many of the participants were specialists in topics we study at school: structures, LCA, fire safety, DGNB, acoustics, MEP systems, and more.

This kind of interdisciplinary collaboration is exactly what our education is built on, so it was inspiring to hear from people who are experts.
On the social side, there were lots of events, and I tried to join as many as I could – from Friday bars to a memorable study trip to Gothenburg, which gave me time to connect with colleagues beyond the usual workday context."

"It was also special that we were four constructing architect interns joining Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects at the same time. That gave me a great sense of support and someone to spar with – especially on days when everything felt new and a little overwhelming.”

If your internship had a soundtrack, what song would be on it — and why?

“I think it would be ‘Patience’ by Tame Impala.It perfectly sums up the patience my team showed me when I was learning – and the patience I had to summon when I was asked to revise the ceiling plans for the tenth time, haha!”

What’s one thing you know now that you didn’t when you first started?

“That it takes patience to work with creative minds – and I mean that in the best possible way. I hadn’t anticipated just how many iterations a floor plan can go through before it's finalised.”

Finish this sentence: “I’ll remember my time at Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects for…” 

“… a huge leap in both professional and personal growth… the amazing rooftop terrace with sunshine and views of Copenhagen Harbour… and the confidence boost I got from applying what I’d learned in school to real-world projects.”

Vera completed her internship from January to June 2025, as part of her 6th semester in the Architectural Technology and Construction Management program. She spent most of her time working on a low-carbon office building in Jernbanebyen and also contributed to a residential project in Herlev.

Now, her final semester awaits – a bachelor project with sustainable building practices at its core. And after that? Vera hopes to build a career where she can combine technical expertise with creative collaboration, especially in the fields of transformation, materials, and sustainable design.