“It is overwhelming because it is a real building,” says Jezelle Gordon ’17 of helping to redesign a-community center for The Conference of Churches in Hartford, Conn.
The 30,000 square-foot building, called “The 224 EcoSpace,” combines an art gallery, dance studio, banquet hall, and work space under one roof. As an architectural engineering technology major
in the University of Hartford’s College of Engineering, Technology, and
Architecture, this is a dream job for Jezelle and a chance to add
professional experience to her résumé.
Jezelle landed the internship through the University’s Express to Success program,
which pairs students with proven leaders in their chosen field of study
for a weeklong mentoring experience. During her internship, Jezelle
will design a new commercial kitchen and what is known as a living wall
(an art installation made of plants). She will also create new sidewalks
and remove doors to create more natural light and space.
“This is a great opportunity,” Jezelle says. “It gives me insights into what it is really like to work as an architect.”
Only a few days into her internship, The Conference of Churches asked
Jezelle to continue working for them. “It has been a tremendous blessing
for us to have younger people active in the leadership and
transformation of the organization,” says the Reverend Shelly Best, CEO
and president of The Conference of Churches, “It is a new way of
thinking.”
When Jezelle graduates in May 2017, she will be able to see what one of
her designs look like in reality. The commercial kitchen is expected to
be done by next spring.
UNOTES - 3/18/16
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