INTERNSHIP FINAL REPORT

Acknowledgement

First off all I’m thankful for all how were helping in my learning process and giving me an
opportunity for an experience and getting knowledge. And for their beloved corporation in
everything that I ask on subject matter and other issue and help me on my work ability; share
their working experience, arranging work time schedule and acceptance. I am glad working with
this company and peoples. I give my pleasure: -

 To my institute Unity University

 To my hosting company Natnael Bekele consulting p.l.c

 To my supervisor Natnael Bekele[Architect]

 To my mentor Biruk Kebede[Architect]

 To my colleagues Moges Tewelde.

 And finally to my beloved families.

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Executive summery

This paper is all about internship report and an experience on working in architectural
office. I m a 4th year student of architecture and urban planning in Unity University and it is a
time to be familiar with the profession in the real world and getting my intern in a company
called Natnael.B.Consulting , And the intern took the whole three months. The paper describes
the background history of the hosting company, process and overall organizational work flow in
the company. It gives an idea how a project is done. It describes the work task I was doing in my
intern time. It deals with the challenges facing while performing working task and measures
taken in order overcome the challenge, experience and benefit gained in this intern are listed in
this paper.

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Table of content

Acknowledgement--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I
Executive summery------------------------------------------------------------------------------- II

Part 1
1. Company background---------------------- ------------------------------------------------5
Part 2
2.1. Internship experience ----------------------------------------------------------------------6
2.2. Getting in to the company-----------------------------------------------------------------6
2.3. Section of the company I have been working-------------------------------------------6
2.4. Procedur I have been performing---------------------------------------------------------7
Part 3
3.1. First month report--------------------------------------------------------------------------8
3.1.1. Project one--------------------------------------------- ----------------------------9
3.1.2. Project two ----------------------------- -------------------------------------------9
3.1.3. Summary----------------------------------------------------------------------------10
3.2. Second month report----------------------------------------------------------------------11
3.2.1. Project three-----------------------------------------------------------------------11
3.2.2. Project four ---------------------------------------------------------- -------------11
3.2.3. Project five-------------------------------------------------------------------------12
3.3. Third month report
3.3.1. Project six---------------------------------------------------------------------------13-14
Part 4
4.1. Level of performance in work task------------------------------------------------------15
4.2. Challenges facing while performing working task-----------------------------------15

4.3. Measures taken in order overcome the challenge-------------------------------16

4.4. Benefits gained from the internship----------------------------------------------------16

4.4.1. Improving practical skill----------------------------------------------------------16

4.4.1.1. Skill in supervision-----------------------------------------------------------------16

4.4.1.2. Skill in practical building construction-------------------------------------------17

-4.4.1.3. Skill in day to day languages in construction----------------------------------------17

4.4.1.4. Skill in interpretation of drawing--------------------------------------------------------------17

4.4.2. Improving interpersonal communication skill--------------------------------------------17

4.4.3. Improving team playing skills------------------------------------------------------------------18

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4.4.3. Improving leadership skills-----------------------------------------------------------------------18

4.4.4. Understanding work ethics related issues-------------------------------------------------------18

4.4.5. Entrepreneurship skills----------------------------------------------------------------------------18

Part 5
5.2. Conclusion--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------19

5.3. recommendation--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------20

5.4. Reference----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------21

5.1. Portfolio-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------22-24

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Background of hosting company

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Internship experience

Internship is important in learning process and connects the industries to universities to

upgrade the knowledge and information. It gives feedback for both groups. It shows the reality
and the real world in this profession and been experienced. It gives a better understanding for
students related to what he/she learn in class. In this three month I have get a good experience.
The purpose of the internship program is to determine the challenges and prospects of practical
works for the students after graduation from universities and colleges without any fear and
confusion. For the effectiveness of the intern program, efforts have been made to study the
overall operational activities of different companies/institute, NGO’s and private offices.
Because they have their own role on the development of the skill of the student and should have
to aware of when they accept the students otherwise the time of the intern will be useless for the
students.

Getting in to the company

We get in the company by the sitting the UIL [University Industry Linkage. From the
beginning we were given to choose companies where we want get in.
Before a year ago I was ready for the intern so I ask one office for internship program for the
next year then I get answer that they will help me. After a year later, I started working on my
portfolio and wrote curriculum vita and an internship letter and submit to the company after
finishing classes. I gave them an internship application paper and then I and my hosting company
sign an argument and I start working in the office.

Section of the company I have been working in

I was working with my colleagues working on redesign and design projects section. It is
the section where designs are made by the leader of the manager. The section is work on
architectural drawings, 3D renderings, and making presentations. In this section interns are
supposed to work under the supervisor of the architects. I have working on the architectural
section of the company works like designing, redesigning, drafting, site visiting and helping my
colleagues.

Starting with design, it involves research and a lot of creative ideas these part of the work load
takes much time in the office because these stage will not be cover even while the building is
constructed. And the drafting part comes after the design; this part does not take much time as
the previous one but needs a lot of attention because this is the communication tool between the
architect and other parties.

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Procedures I have been using while performing

When I was working on design of a specific project, first of all I would have the programs of
the project on my hand and some explanations about the project from the manager. Then after
the explanations I gain, I go on producing some conceptual design idea and proposals for the
given task. After that I bring back these proposed designs to the manager and He would make
some suggestions or corrections on the designs and approves one of them.

If I start a work, I get some consultation from my colleagues and my supervisor. After
consultation I change the commented problems and I show them again. By asking my colleagues
about the process while I am working on a project I precede my work.

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First month report

Project 1
 Pyramid hotel and resort design extension
On the first week of the internship program, at the office was my adviser Introduce to me about the
office and their work. The office environment at the first day was friendly and inviting. In the next day it
was the first working day at the office and the supervisor give me a work which pyramid hotel and resort
design extension, then he explain to me some introduction about the design. The interior function of hotel
and resort design from neufurt book and internet then I started from research about morish architecture;
because pyramid hotel and resort design is designed through morish architecture. And I read about
Ethiopian architecture also; after that I start to do customized furniture and customized lighting fixture.

In the second week at the office, my supervisor told me this hotel design should be redesign the
function of the all interior part of the design because of the site expanded / add additional space in the left
side of the site in this case the design also add space and add additional structure, but there is a
misunderstand between the client and our office; so that the design was stopped. After that I was started
new project peacock Addis lounge design. And my supervisor explains some introduction about the
design and we have a site visit and my duty in the week was, on the conceptual development.

Conceptual development

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Project 2

My duty in the third week was also doing on peacock Addis lounge interior design schematic
design. My supervisor told me the conceptual development is good so I start the schematic design. And
my supervisor told me show the schematic design to our client. After doing the schematic one I go to the
site and meet our client. my client told me this design should be redesign the function of the all interior
part of the design because of the site expanded / add additional space in the left side of the site in this case
the design also add space and add additional structure and he need some changes on the bar area, DJ buzz,
and gate design.

Phase one

In this week redesign the function part of entrance lobby, bar area, DJ buzz, and gate design and their
toilet facility in one side.

On the 4th week, I have a meeting to our client on the site and he see the changes that mentioned by him
and he satisfied but he need some changes on bar area. After that I work on the bar area what he (client)
wants to like.

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In This week, in parallel to other works, my duty was working on the continuation of the design and cost
analysis. At the end of this week, me and my partners had presented the last phase of the design to our
client.

Summery
In the first time I was a little bit slow and it’s new for me. Then with the help and support from my
colleagues I became good. Every time I did something I become good in my work. Experience makes
people perfect in their job.
At first I was little challenged until connecting with the work environment because what I thought it
would be and what I find it was completely opposite but after a while I start getting better and better.

I get some experience by this design ,when the architect design any building such as residence ,
commercial or mixed use and other in terms of the client needs and their budget so we don’t design freely.

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Second month, report

Project 3

In my second month first week, in parallel to other works, my duty was working on new project that is
danu resort design, on this week my supervisor gave me conceptual sketch and we have also a site
visit on debre zite , after that I start on schematic design with our partners.

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My duty in the first week was also doing on danu resort design and parallel to this I do apartment
interior design 130m2 around kazanchis, on this week my supervisor gave me the soft copy of the
apartment plan to make a 3d modeling on ARCHI CAD. Before that I go to the apartment with
my supervisor and work partner how its seems like. After that I do a conceptual sketch how its
seems like

After that my supervisor gave me some ideas and I start the 3d modeling of the interior part

The second month second week at the office, my supervisor told me this design should be redesign the
function of the all interior part of the design because of the client need. So I do the entire thing that my
supervisor told me.

In this week redesign the function part of lobby, dining and living space, kitchen, multipurpose shelf and
gallery space. Until the submission day, me and my partners were worked co-operatively, so as the result
of good team work, we end up with a very nice interior design. Finally we were successful and the design
was submitted on the time schedule.

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The second month, third week was Continuation of the danu resort design works and other office
activities in addition to these activities me and my collogues go to the sites for the supervisions, to see
that are under construction buildings.

At the end of this month, i.e. the fourth week time the usual works and I start anew project called dembel
view conference hall design modification, the duty given to me was,

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Third month, report

In my third month, first week in parallel with the dembel view conference modification, there was
entrance design for a G+4 apartment. The design was a cost efficient simple and aesthetically pleasant.
The design took almost two days the reason was to get the full impression of the client. And then my
supervisor gave me some feedbacks and comments on the work which I should incorporate and the vise-
versa.

In my third month, second week almost concentrated on the danu resort design and During this week of
internship period, I went to countryside for the data collection of the design

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Level of performance in my work task

In the first time I was a little bit slow and it’s new for me. Then with the help and support
from my colleagues I became good. Every time I did something I become good in my work.
Experience makes people perfect in their job.
At first I was little challenged until connecting with the work environment because what I
thought it would be and what I find it was completely opposite but after a while I start getting
better and better.

In this professional practice I have been facing different tasks which are both individual and
group tasks. In my opinion and after looking monthly grading filled by the company supervisor, I
did well enough in performing my individual and group assignments.

Challenges facing while performing working task

There are challenges in this work especially when you are an intern, the major
problem/challenges that I come across in my work experience were: -

 The first is that you become new for the environment and the work flow in the office
until you adapt it.

 Some clients want the project to be what they want too much and want to dominate the
design. And client will not understand some standard in architectural. It affects the
concept of the design.

 Some graphics software skill and some standards and rules are challenges I have faced

 Handling time was the anther challenge I have faced. Sometime my work speed become
slow but when I was in class a project might take the whole semester but in the
professional office decisions and works must be taken in faster way.

 Sometimes in doing projects another project came after in and both might be needed to be
finished in short time.

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Measures taken in order overcome the challenge

Challenges are part of the work but taking measures and finding solution is the important
part of the job the objective of this internship although many challenges faced me but I tried to
overcome through different mechanisms like:-

 By asking my colleagues, supervisor and reading architectural standard books and

references.

 If I face more than one project at a time I try to work on the one which is urgent and go to
other ones according to the degree of urgency and considering deadline for the projects.

 I tried to adjust my working speed to handle project as professionals did.

 When I went to the construction I tried to study and understood the actual building details
on the Ethiopian context.

Benefits gained from internship

Working in architectural office is part of learning process and it gives a chance to upgrade
the knowledge in different terms. The other things are that getting a job needs an experience but
until you gate the job you do not get an experience so internship plays an important role in
working process. I have got a lot of benefits in different terms.

Improving practical skills

Architecture needs practical skills. In my stay in office, I have gained a lot of practical
knowledge that are necessary for to accomplish tasks handed to me. For example, have
experienced a lot of skills in site visiting , practical building construction, day to day languages
in the construction area and chain of command on the construction site.

Skills in supervision include: -

 Knowing all construction details of the project so as to guide the workers

 Having an innovative idea to tackle problems that arise on the site
 Knowing the quantity and type of construction materials on the site

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Skills in practical building construction include: -

 Understanding the construction environment

 Knowing different tools that help in the construction site
 Understanding different techniques of construction process

Skills in day to day languages in the construction: -

 The languages that are used in site are different from site to site because some of the
worker know the construction tool names by its Italian name while other know these tools
by its Amharic and English names. Because of these I have to learn new names of all the
languages as much as I can.

Skills in interpretation of drawings: -

The skill of interpreting drawings of structural, sanitary and structural drawings came in
handy while I was working in my hosting company, and I expect it will be necessary in the
future. I learned these skills when these drawings came for different projects and needed to be
implemented and integrated into the original architectural drawings.

Detailing techniques: -

Detailing being an essential part of the designing process I was amazed at level of derailing in
the industry, the level of detailing in school and the industry is very different. I have gained an
in-depth knowledge in skills of improving the quality of detailing drawings.

Improving interpersonal communication skills

Architecture needs presentation. Explanation is the part of the job so it must be explained
something with different mechanism. Presentation like spiking and communicate with it hers is
the one and important part of the profession. Internships are a great way to meet people in our
field. An internship allows us to meet people who might help us and give us the contacts in the
industry and we are trying to get into it.

Communication with others needs and experience, self-confidence and respecting others.
Explaining what you have though and what you have thought and work is must other ways
people cannot get the information. Getting experience is a great way to build your confidence
What’s more, if you have an impressive resume, you will be more confident in your chances of
securing a job.

I also have learned that communication with clients is very important since a client tends to
change their ideas constantly; also communication with construction workers is also important.
These treats are necessary for every one working in the building environment, these tends a fluid
work flow with minimum obstacles. I have understood communication along the chain of
command is necessary as to have an efficient and effective work space.

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Improving team playing skills

Architecture is a profession that needs team work with different profession. The construction
industry is big that different professions are interlinking with each other. In addition, I have
come to under stood that being sociable with the colleagues a very good working atmosphere and
thus enhancing productivity.

I have learned that team working in teams can be a very productive environment, I had no
problem fitting into this environment because I have to work in teams in my school courses, thus
lead me to have a fluid workspace and communication with other team members of the company.
Architecture by itself is big and the team work is important and needed. For example, when one
project is tarter, every worker participates in the project terms of their profession and skill.

Improving leadership skills

Team works need leader, the one who organize others in the work. Architect is the lead in
building construction. Because those works need open discussion so these discussion creates
good communication as well as team playing skills.
Leadership skills are necessary for everyone to have on the project he/she has in hand. These
skills provide a platform for a great chain of command and work environment, some of these
leadership skills are: -

 Overall supervision of project and

 Having control of projects.

Understanding work ethics related issues

Architecture is one of the filled or profession that needs work ethics. Work ethics are important
in every profession and must be implemented. Work ethics is one of the basic and necessary
issues especially in the field our study. Basically work ethics have different issues like behavior,
using of time, creating awareness in office and office related issues. Therefore, our internship
period has a great influence it helps us how/what kind of work ethics we should have to be in
office and on site. Using time properly is one of work ethics. Time is the most important thing in
the construction industry.

During the intern, I learned that punctuality is a very important ethics. Being punctual means
works are being done regularly. Respecting the contract is the other work ethics. Working with
others needs a contract and an agreement related to the work.

Entrepreneurship skills

Learning architecture is a profession with different knowledge, skill and a better understanding
about our surrounding. Architectures shows how things will do and implement and finding for
solutions for problems. For example, while learning architecture there are related courses like

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graphics and we can do a lot with this skill. Architect knows little things about everything so
upgrading this knowledge can be done a lot of things.

In my internship time I see a lot of job opportunity without architectural profession or related
jobs. In some area architecture is not only an about building but it can be furnisher designer,
graphics designer and othe

Conclusion

This architectural office has been a great eye opener for me, I was also able to see how
practical world is related to theoretical courses and I have also learned how design are done
concerning to the Ethiopian context and material. And I had learned something which cannot be
taught in the class room like some construction techniques and common or technical names.

In general, it is my believe that the internship is important and necessary for the development of
practical works and also to develop other beneficial experiences. Because it is the only chance
we get before we leave the campus and it help us to know what the external environment looks
like and show us what kind of challenges we will face in the working environment after we
graduate from campus.

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Recommendation
Recommendation for hosting company:

 Better communication, the communication between clients and the professionals, as I have
seen the delay in communication also causes the delay in the whole project.

 Participate in architectural competition is important to the office to become a better

architectural firm.

 Better information and communication technology, infrastructure, because the existing one
always crashes and causes in delay of projects and also causes burden on other employees.

Recommendations for school:

 The school should have an effective way of communicating with the student, because
messages posted on message boards in the school rarely work because the student who
are out on their internship program come to school once a month, to give their reports to
their mentors, so the school should put in place a more effective way to do this.

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Reference
 Internship report writing guide line documents.

 Site visits during the internship program.

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