Arkitrek Interns

Introduction

Arkitrek offers paid internships to a selected number of outstanding candidates interested in green building design and sustainability. Interns must be self motivated and able to work responsibly as they will be given autonomy to liaise directly with clients and end users and to direct their own learning experience. We engage experienced interns to help us deliver projects for social and environmental organisations.

Positions may be site-based or office-based depending on project availability and Interns should be prepared to work for long periods on remote sites with limited resources and under basic living conditions. All placements will be on projects which support the Arkitrek philosophy of working responsibly in natural areas to promote sustainable development and conservation of natural resources.

Arkitrek Interns blog history

Duration

Minimum 3 months. Longer periods can be arranged by mutual agreement.

Roles & Responsibilities

Roles include implementing sustainable design and innovation in buildings, materials, energy, water and waste management infrastructure.

Many projects also require the integration of green-building design with social infrastructure. Interns will gain a well-rounded professional experience including facilitation, coordination, logistical planning and communication.

Hard skills required are to ensure that designs are beautiful, robust and holistic, that building work is advanced efficiently and that design intent is realised on site.

Eligibility

Architecture, Engineering and Construction students and professionals with an undergraduate degree and minimum 1 year work experience either on site or in a professional office. Mature applicants with relevant experience will also be welcomed.

Terms

All accommodation, food and in-country travel whilst on work duties will be provided. Where food is not provided a food allowance will be paid at the rate of MYR750 per month. The Intern will be responsible for their international flights and their immigration arrangements

Application Procedure

Applications are taken continuously 1-12 months in advance. Expressions of interest can be made through the contact form. Please state that you’re interested in an internship, your availability and include a brief description of why you’re interested? We will send you an email requesting your cv including examples of work.

Supervision

Interns will be expected to be self motivated and self-reliant. On arrival there will be a 3-4 day orientation process during which guidelines and objectives will be set. Progress against objectives will be assessed regularly and for site based positions there will be meetings with an intern coordinator approximately once a month. Interns may be based on a rural site some distance from the nearest town for most of their stay.

Feedback and Research

In addition to their project work, the Intern will also be expected to produce an article, drawings or photo essay about an aspect of their experience that motivates them. This is for publication on the Arkitrek website and our partners websites.

Feedback forms will be issued on arrival and departure to help us meet expectations and to assess the value of the interns’ experience. These feedback forms are a key performance indicator for our social enterprise.

We’d also welcome enquiries from students or academics looking for research subjects. Potential areas of study could include the following; materials innovation, community engagement, education techniques, social enterprise in architecture, vernacular architecture, performance of passive design buildings, animal enclosure design, architecture and nature conservation etc. Again, this research would help us to quantify our social return on investment.

Record of Experience and Reference

RIBA Part III architecture candidates can log the internship towards their professional qualification, provided they complete the minimum three months. Every Intern will be given an employer reference and where applicable, a client reference too.

R&R

Southeast Asia has a rich natural and cultural heritage and all interns are encouraged to take extra time to explore the mountains, rainforests, beaches, oceans, food and indigenous culture.

For inspiration, enjoy the following slideshow of past interns and the projects they have contributed to. You can also interact with other Arkitrekkers on our Facebook Group .