Meet Our 2024-2025 FORA Fellow: Gabriella Vaz de Freitas

We are thrilled to welcome our third FORAship intern, now called FORA Fellow, Gabriella Vaz de Freitas, to Architects FORA for the upcoming school year! Join us in celebrating Gabi by getting to know a little about her background, what she’s working on in school, what her plans are after graduation, why she applied to the FORAship, and tips for other students seeking internships.

Born and raised in Brazil, I grew up in a loving household with my parents and many pets. As an only child, I was always surrounded by cousins and friends in the beach town where we lived, in Espirito Santo.

My passion for architecture was sparked by family trips within Brazil, to places like São Paulo, Rio, and Bahia. What fascinated me most in each city were the distinct architectural styles and how they reflected the local culture.

While I admired the beauty of Brazil, I also became aware of the challenges faced by a developing country, particularly when it came to housing. My mother would often share stories about how she and my grandmother, who raised three children on her own, struggled with housing insecurity. They sometimes had to move twice a year due to rent increases.

These experiences made me realize the profound impact housing can have on families. These challenges inspired me to pursue a career in architecture, motivated by the possibility of making a difference through my work.

I chose to study at Cal Poly for its multidisciplinary approach to the architecture program and its emphasis on integrated design from day one. Because of the pandemic, starting my studies remotely was a challenge, but it provided me with valuable skills for navigating the virtual work environment.

Moving to the U.S. in my second year required a period of adjustment, but once I adapted to living abroad and attending school in person, I faced the most demanding year of my architectural education. During third year, I worked with a partner on a semester-long project with high expectations for the development of integrated systems. The hard work paid off when we were selected for Best of Show and received an Honorable Mention.

In my fourth year, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Barcelona for a semester at IAAC. I also completed the off-campus Affordable Housing San Francisco Urban Program while interning, which provided invaluable hands-on experience.

What are you working on now in school?

As I begin my fifth year, I will be developing a thesis in Sandy Stannard's studio. My current proposal draws on a topic I explored in a Future Cities class at IAAC in Barcelona, focusing on carbon engineering. The aim of my research is to investigate carbon removal strategies, explore how they can be integrated into building design, and educate the community on these approaches to facilitate broader implementation at the city level. For the project site, I’ve chosen São Paulo, a city with some of the lowest air quality levels in the world due to pollution. Despite being the richest city in South America, it also faces significant poverty. My goal is to promote positive change in the built environment by addressing both climate change and social inequality. The project envisions a community center that serves as a hub for these efforts, open to all and dedicated to fostering a healthier, more equitable city.

Why did you apply to the FORAship?

As an international student who started school during the pandemic, my family and I faced unexpected challenges that led me to actively look for scholarships as soon as I arrived in the U.S. to alleviate the financial burden of tuition and housing abroad, especially having to deal with currency differences.

When I first heard about the FORAship through a Cal Poly CAED newsletter, I realized it offered much more than just financial support—it also provided valuable career experience. I applied for the scholarship twice and always had great interactions with the team during our meetings. After a year of studying abroad, I’m excited and ready to embark on this new journey.

What are you most looking forward to during your internship?

I like to think of internships as trying different cuisines – you won’t know what you truly enjoy until you’ve tried different things. With this analogy, I hope to learn beyond what school can offer, particularly in areas like firm management, construction documentation, and client relations. I expect that this variety of work experiences will better inform my decisions as I choose my path after graduation.

Where do you see yourself after graduating from Cal Poly?

After I get my degree at Cal Poly, my student visa allows me to work for up to 36 months in my field. I plan to use this time to gain valuable experience and work towards obtaining my architectural license and hopefully get a work visa. In the long term, I hope to pursue a master's degree in a field that will complement my architectural interests, which I plan to refine over the next few years. Currently, I’m considering something related to business, real estate, or management.

What advice do you have for students seeking internships?

For students seeking internships, my advice is to gain any experience you can and be proactive. While learning software is important, it’s equally crucial to build strong relationships with both students and faculty, and to develop a strong portfolio that showcases your skills. This will help you stand out when applying for internship opportunities. Additionally, don't overlook the importance of practicing your communication skills. Being able to clearly explain your projects and conducting mock interviews (ChatGPT can help!) will significantly improve your chances of landing an internship.