Farzana Anika

I started at GFT the summer after high school through the New York City School Construction Authority internship program, which places New York City students with firms based on their interests and career goals. My art teacher encouraged me to apply after being accepted by Pratt Institute. 

I was paired with GFT and worked under the supervision of Director of Architecture Huzefa Irfani. During my first summer, I made copies, stamped drawings, and asked lots of questions. Whenever I completed a task, I looked for more ways to help our team of architects.  

I returned every summer during my five-year program. Each year, I took on more responsibility, specifically creating visuals for presentations using Photoshop and rendering programs. I enjoyed applying what I learned in school to client projects and bringing new technical knowledge into my coursework. 

After graduation, I joined a small Manhattan firm before ultimately returning to GFT to fulfill my passion for creating a larger impact through my work. My return was even featured in the company’s “Lessons from Boomerang Employees: It’s Good to Be Back” blog, which highlights how returning employees bring new experiences and renewed enthusiasm to their teams. Many of our projects involve public-facing upgrades, such as Americans with Disabilities Act improvements, which make a real difference in people’s daily lives. I love walking around New York City and pointing out projects I have worked on to my family. 

I contribute to as many project phases as possible to see them through from start to finish. I have worked on proposals, reports, site visits, presentations, modeling, construction documents, and construction administration. Seeing projects holistically helps me communicate across disciplines and work more efficiently. I also enjoy jumping into different teams quickly, understanding their needs, and helping them move forward. 

I am excited about the growth of our portfolio. I enjoy the broad impact we are making across different types of buildings. I also value the collaborative culture in our office. The architecture team encourages questions and ideas, and I am confident that my contributions matter.

Be patient. This field requires years of study and practice. Projects can take a considerable amount of time to complete, so persistence is important. It is rewarding to see a project evolve from design to construction and to know your work improves spaces for people.

Ask questions. Early in my career, I worried that my questions would seem too simple and obvious; however, I soon learned that others often have the same questions. Working in a team means finding solutions together, not having all the answers right away.