Back row, L to R: Samantha Arrowood, Uri Alpin, Shannuel Lamptey. Front row, L to R: Naina Cheniara and Aliza Syed.

Again this summer, we’re fortunate to have two new interns—and three “veterans”—joining our practice. These internships offer an introduction to our profession and to the art, science, and business of restoring New York City’s buildings and infrastructure.

Samantha Arrowood is an SCA Architectural intern who will be working with both Studio BB and Studio LR. Born and raised in NYC, she is a rising 1st year student at Syracuse University, pursuing a five-year BArch degree. She loves midcentury modern design and is a member of the Frank Lloyd Wright Conservancy. She also likes Techno music, yoga, and hiking. “My goal in life is to run my own firm and retire in a home of my own making,” she says.

An Engineering intern for Studio NS, Shannuel Lamptey is a Civil Engineering student at Duke University, also working toward her Master’s in Engineering Management through Duke’s 4+1 program. She chose SSX because she wanted to learn more about building diagnostics and restoration, especially in NYC where she grew up. “Superstructures is the place where I can understand the real-life applications of my education from some of the best professionals in the industry,” she says. Her goal is to learn as much as she can about how engineers and architects make NYC buildings more structurally resilient, while preserving their architectural beauty. At Duke, she serves as Co-Chair for the Engineering school’s Global Engagement & Community Impact Committee and loves mentoring students through academic planning and personal growth. Outside of work, Shannuel’s usually working on her startup, modeling, writing, or cooking.

Uriel Alpin is a rising third-year BArch student at The Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture, City College. This is Uri’s fourth year of internship at Superstructures, working with the Practice Development studio. He strongly believes in Superstructures’ mission of renewal and restoration, keeping New York City’s rich architectural history intact while conserving resources and promoting energy efficiency. After graduation and licensure, he aspires to become an architect who champions sustainable design, creating thoughtful spaces while building a resilient future for the city he grew up in. In his free time, Uri is passionate about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, weightlifting, and studying architectural history beyond the classroom.

An international student from Pakistan, Aliza Syed is currently completing her fifth and final year in the BArch program at NJIT. She chose to be an Architectural intern at Superstructures (Studio MS) for a second year because of the firm’s technical excellence in building investigation, restoration, and sustainability that aligns with her growing interest in how architecture performs over time. Her goal is to become a well-rounded architect who bridges strong design thinking with practical structural understanding. At NJIT, she has worked on projects that explore community, resilience, and cultural identity, often using speculative narratives to rethink urban housing and environmental design. Outside of academics, Aliza is a black belt in Taekwondo, a digital illustrator, and an urban sketching enthusiast. She has also pursued undergraduate research, presented work on visual media and cultural discourse, and enjoys photography, writing, and exploring the historical layers of cities. “I’m excited to be part of a team where I can grow both technically and professionally, while contributing with curiosity, care, and creativity,” she says.

Naina Cheniara has returned to SSX for a second year as an Architectural intern in Studio NK. She is currently entering her third year in Drexel University's 2+4 Architecture program, comprising two years of full-time study followed by four years of full-time employment with part-time evening classes. She is minoring in Construction Management to learn more about how to organize a job site with various contractors and the scheduling of building assemblies. Naina is also exploring sustainable building methods, particularly the Passive House movement, which prioritizes energy efficiency. She is interested in how to bridge the gap between design and reality through architectural engineering to incorporate her passion for fine arts. “Superstructures is the perfect place to give me the foundational knowledge for experimental design, which is energy efficient and practical,” she says.