Lauren Reflects on her Summer Internship at +Detail

Good design becomes great design when it begins with curiosity.

The curiosity that Lauren has brought to +Detail on every project she’s touched this summer has been inspiring.

A native of Green, Ohio, Lauren's interest in architecture began with a fascination for the communities that shape our lives.

"I see value in the impact that my peers have on me and see architecture as an ode to the privilege of receiving an education," she explains. "My fascination lies in architecture's multiplicity and its ability to transcend past the physical realm. It brings people together in ways that exceed its initial purpose."

Discovering the Human Side of Healthcare Design

Lauren’s experience at +Detail ranged from Programming to Construction Administration and encompassed multiple aspects of marketing and research.

Her work on healthcare projects and in behavioral health environments revealed the key differentiators that set these spaces apart from other project types.

One aspect that stood out to her:

"The little details," she says.

From specifying ligature-resistant furniture and specialized hardware to the thoughtful strategies behind behavioral health environments, Lauren quickly realized that healthcare spaces require a distinct design mindset.

"You wouldn't necessarily think about many of these considerations in an academic setting. Healthcare design requires a different form of thinking because you're constantly considering how design can help people feel better, support diverse needs, and create more compassionate environments."

For Lauren, this experience demonstrated how thoughtful design can bring comfort throughout a person’s healing journey.

When Classroom Learning Meets Reality

During her internship, Lauren has seen how design concepts evolve when confronted with real-world constraints; conditions that typically aren’t often present in a classroom environment.

"School teaches you concepts. Practice teaches you how those concepts meet reality."

In practice, projects must respond to existing buildings, structural limitations, user needs, budgets, regulations, and countless other variables.

"There may be a large column in the middle of the room. There are existing conditions. There are operational needs. Real life is different."

Lauren has found some of her most valuable learning experiences at the intersection of creativity and problem-solving, where design aspirations must align with practical realities.

A Different Kind of Design Firm

When asked what has surprised her most about working at +Detail, Lauren's answer had little to do with architecture.

It’s the people.

"The flexibility, connectivity, and collaborative culture at +Detail showed me that design firms don't have to operate the way they've always operated."

From the open and collaborative workspace to opportunities for professional growth, she experienced a culture that encourages curiosity, questions, and continuous learning.

When she attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Coleman Health Services facility, Lauren had the opportunity to see firsthand how months of planning and design ultimately impact a community.

Experiences like this reveal how great design is ultimately measured by the people and community it serves.

Looking Ahead

Lauren will enter her fourth year at Kent State University’s College of Architecture and Environmental Design this Fall. She currently serves as Editor-in-Chief of ko|AD, a design editorial at KSU, and remains actively involved in both AIAS and Alpha Rho Chi.

Her long-term vision reflects her passion for lifelong learning. She hopes to pursue graduate studies, continue practicing in civic-focused sectors, and eventually teach design studios that reconnect students with making and fabrication.

As digital tools become increasingly prominent in design education and practice, she is passionate about helping future designers understand how things are built and experienced at a human scale.

"I see collaboration as an opportunity to learn, and I am excited by the fact that it is impossible to know everything."

We're grateful to be part of Lauren's journey and excited to see the impact she will make on the future of design.

If you have interest in participating in +Detail’s internship program, send your resume and portfolio to: hello@plusdetail.com

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