The Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning sponsors a one-week unpaid externship over spring break for students interested in learning more about their intended profession. The experience allows students to apply their coursework to a real life setting, and offers a great chance for students to observe and ask questions. Externs are supervised by employee volunteers who agree to walk them through day-to-day routines at the company or organization. Now in our third year as a participant, KDG hosted this year's extern, Sarah Rabe, during the first week of March.  Sarah is in her final year of the Master of Architecture program, and was an immediate contributor during her week at KDG. The experience was such a success that KDG has invited Sarah back to continue her architecture internship after graduation.

From Wikipedia:  "Externships are experiential learning opportunities, similar to internships, offered by educational institutions to give students short practical experiences in their field of study."

Rebecca joined Kraemer Design Group in February after working as a Project Manager with AKT Peerless Environmental for five years.  Prior to working as a Historic Preservation Consultant, Rebecca, after nine years in the advertising industry, decided to obtain her Master's in Historic Preservation at Columbia University's graduate school of Architecture, Planning and Preservation.  Since 1995, Rebecca has worked in New York and Detroit, on numerous restoration projects, planning historical conferences and authoring funding grants for multiple properties. Rebecca has written National Register of Historic Places nominations for some of Detroit's most significant buildings and worked on substantial revitalization initiatives such as the Woodward Avenue Light Rail Transit Project. 

Rebecca has a passion for the city of Detroit and has an in-depth knowledge of Detroit's historic architecture, the property-owners and city government.  She brings a background in adaptive reuse and the federal, state and local government processes to bring projects through to completion.

Jessika, a Detroit native, recently joined Kraemer Design Group in late March after receiving her Master's Degree in Architecture from the University of Detroit Mercy, School of Architecture. Upon graduating, she cultivated her relationship with the University; working at their non-profit design collaborative and teaching computer design programs to a variety of students. This, in combination with her education, Jessika has developed a unique perspective of design that she hopes to integrate into KDG's design process.      

Jessika brings well-developed skills in a variety of the latest software, which she uses to create dynamic information graphics and renderings. Jessika has a genuine interest and appreciation for design, but also has a desire to become an architect who is well-versed in construction and its processes. To achieve this goal, she has enrolled in the Intern Development Program of NCARB. At Kraemer Design Group, Jessika hopes to gain real-world experience that will supplement her ability and strengthen her ideas.

It was an exhausting weekend for a few Kraemer Design Group employees during the weekend of March 12.  Kathleen Rogers attended the inaugural Fifth Third Bank Leapin' Leprechaun 5K in Traverse City, while Heather McKeon, Nichole McNamara, Bill Smith and Ryan Smith attended the St. Patrick's Parade 29th Annual Corktown Race 5K in downtown Detroit.  It was a chilly weekend with a few flurries in both regions, but the crew got through the runs just fine.  The incentive of a free Irish beverage at the end of the race was not a bad motivator either!

On January 25, KDG met NTH at Whirlyball Novi for a rematch.  After losing last November, we were looking for a little redemption...and our trophy back!  Unfortunately, we were unsuccessful, but it was still a great excuse to get out and have some fun with coworkers and colleagues.  We are awaiting NTH's announcement of the next challenge and will continue to share these events.

Several KDG staff had a great time going fowling (that's bowling, but with an 'f') on a recent Wednesday night.  A group of Detroiters accidentally invented Fowling at the Indianapolis 500 infield several years ago, brought it back home, and have started a facility on the second floor of a warehouse on Detroit's East side.  It involves throwing a football at a set of bowling pins, in a manner similar to how horseshoes is played.  In any event, it is incredibly fun, and a trip to one of their 'open fowling' nights is something to be experienced.

Feb. 6: Beth Allison, Kathleen Rogers

Feb. 14: Brian Hearn

Feb. 27: Heather McKeon

Apr.  15: Brian Rebain

Apr.  28: Amy Bos