Meet the RFM Summer Interns

RFM is excited to welcome Mel Caldwell and Nolan Hegnes to the RFM team for an 8-week internship. Both are pursuing degrees in Architecture and bring unique interests and perspectives to the team. Mel is a current student at the University of Washington, with a focus on education design, while Nolan has just completed his first year at the Arizona State University and aspires to work in the Tribal sector. Read on to learn more about their backgrounds and summer goals.

What piqued your interest in Architecture?

Mel: I chose architecture because it sparks my creative side while pushing my problem-solving skills, all for the benefit of the occupants and my community. It is the best of both worlds! Architecture is a field that combines design sensibilities, building science, engineering, and community service all together. I can’t think of a better field for my passions, work, and talent.

Nolan: I guess my journey into Architecture started when I was around fifteen, maybe sixteen. My mother and I were going for a drive when we were passing the new Quil Ceda Creek Casino that was being built on our reservation. Conversation sparked as my mom talked about the architect on the project and all that was happening. After some back and forth I posed the question, “Why do we not have anyone in the Tribe doing this line of work?” My mom told me that we have no Native American architects in our Tribe. That was the day a seed was planted in my mind. From that day forth, part of me felt a calling to become an architect. Not just to help my Tribe but the rest of our sibling Tribes around us. As I’ve started my education, I have felt that there is no better way for me to help people than by providing a built environment around them.

Why did you want to work at RFM?

Mel: RFM is a firm that puts a lot of stock into the humanity of their people and the communities they serve. They are dedicated to stewardship, community building, and redefining the meaning of architects and designers. I am excited to learn the practices, strategies, and ideas that RFM employs to work with communities to ensure trust and excitement about the work.

Nolan: This opportunity found me! I was more or less guided to the right environment and people. After hearing about the principles that guide RFM, I could not have found a better place. I soon discovered the numerous projects they have had with Tribes. I wanted to get behind a company that valued my people and others. Something that I want to build one day.

What are you looking forward to most about working for RFM this summer?

Mel: I am excited about site tours! Site tours are great ways to understand the building process and talk to those in construction management. This is the best way to gain insight on the construction process. A good architect is involved in all aspects of a project, not just the design phase.

Nolan: I mean, the easy answer is everything. Being a first-year student, I have yet to explore the field of architecture in education, let alone the real world. For starters, getting to network at such a young age is invaluable. Building connections that can be beneficial for future work and projects. Not to mention the wisdom and years of experience individuals can share with me. Learning how to strengthen myself and how to avoid certain pitfalls. In addition, going into my second year of college, this internship would give me an advantage over my peers and build skills for my education. The individuals at RFM can impart knowledge about the steps I can take to be a more rounded employee and better student.

What are your career aspirations?

Mel: Architecture is exhilarating because you can do so many things within the industry! My dream would be to work on a church project, library, and school within my lifetime. These types of places were pivotal for my childhood and sense of self. Designing these types of projects would bring my life to a full circle: The places that shaped me will be what I am shaping, for the benefit of future generations. That type of service to the community drives my desire to practice architecture as a career.

Nolan: Like I mentioned before, I feel that architecture is just a fantastic and fulfilling way to help those in my community and around the world. My end goal is to open up a practice for my Tribe, leaving a brighter and better future for the generations to come. In addition, just living a life that could allow me to explore and travel to new places.

What sparked your interest in the Education market?

Mel: Educational design is a passion born out of my experience as a classroom teacher and a desire to see the next generation have amazing spaces to learn and grow. Children spend most of their formative years within the walls of a school, and the design of these spaces shape their mentality and sense of self.  A lot of schools are so run down, worn thin with expired design, causing drops in school morale, and in turn causing apathy. This also goes for the staff and adults in the buildings; lack of staff bathrooms, adult spaces, storage, and break out rooms make it difficult for staff to facilitate the best learning and to be at their best. Our community deserves spaces that give them a fighting chance to thrive.

What sparked your interest in Tribal work?

Nolan: Growing up on the Tulalip Reservation, I saw firsthand what some of our issues are and the needs of the people. Many of our Tribal members have the resources but lack the tools they need to fix them. It is like having a car with no gas. Sure, you have car, but you can’t go anywhere. However, I think the greatest turning point was during the COVID pandemic. Many Tribes realized that without Tribal gaming, there is no money coming in. Essentially, I want to develop and diversify . One, being able to develop our land to prosper will benefit the people. Two, architecture allows for another source of economy and income in our Tribe. The casinos should not be the only source of income. In the end, I am just a Tribal member who wants to help my people and our other brother and sister Tribes.

Thank you, Mel and Nolan, for choosing to spend your summer with us, we are proud to know you and support you on your educational journeys!