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Intern - Summer 2026 Architectural Design

Elmington Development is seeking a Summer Design Intern to join our in-house Design team. This role is ideal for a current Architecture student interested in working on the developer side of the design and construction process.

Unlike a traditional architecture firm setting, this internship offers exposure to how design decisions are made from an ownership and development perspective — balancing aesthetics, budget, constructability, and long-term operational performance across a portfolio of active multifamily projects.

POSITION SUMMARY:
To be eligible, candidates must be rising juniors or seniors (expected graduation date between December 2026 and August 2027) at the time of the internship. Successful interns may be considered for future full-time opportunities following graduation.

Overview
We are seeking a detail-oriented Architectural Design Intern to join our team for a focused summer project from June 1 through July 31. This internship offers hands-on experience will support the Design Director in overseeing multiple projects throughout all phases of development to ensure Elmington’s standards of design are achieved from early concepts through completed construction.
The program concludes with a final presentation to senior stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Assisting in the review of architectural and interior design drawing sets (SD through CDs)
Helping maintain and apply Elmington’s design standards across multiple projects
Participating in coordination with project teams including:
- Architects
- Interior Designers
- Construction Team
- Third-party consultants and vendors
Supporting material and finish selections
Attending budget reviews
Assisting with mock-up reviews and design quality control during construction
Helping track design updates, value engineering efforts, and change order impacts
Attending internal and external project coordination meetings

What You’ll Learn

This internship provides hands-on experience in:
Working closely with projects from early design through construction completion
Understanding how developers evaluate design from both a financial and operational lens
Coordination between design, underwriting, and construction teams
Managing design consistency across a large portfolio of active developments
Real-world decision making related to cost, constructability, and long-term durability

Final Presentation: Deliver a comprehensive summary of financial insights and recommendations to senior stakeholders at the end of the program.
Local Travel: During the first two weeks, travel locally within Nashville (up to 25%) for on-site financial reviews and team meetings.

Qualifications

Rising junior or senior (or rising 4th or 5th year if in a 5 year arch program) Currently enrolled in an Architecture or Interior Design program
Interest in pursuing a career as a designer or architect working for a developer
Strong organizational and communication skills
Ability to manage multiple tasks across concurrent projects
Comfortable presenting to senior stakeholders.
Highly organized with attention to detail.
Willingness to travel locally (up to 25%).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Frequently sit, stand and walk.
Regularly required to talk or hear.
Frequently required to use hands or fingers to handle or feel objects, tools or controls.
Occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
Vision abilities to include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision and the ability to adjust focus.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Temperature in the workplace is typically moderate, though the ability to withstand seasonal cold and heat of the outdoors is necessary.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

Travel up to 25% of the time.

The Elmington Affordable Experience

We're creating a different kind of company at Elmington Affordable. We promise we will never be ordinary, which we hope you can see by this job description. There will be many days you simply aren't comfortable. You will be pushed to accomplish more than you ever thought possible. You will be challenged by your team leader and your peers to achieve more and to find better ways. With that said, we know Elmington Affordable is not for everyone. BUT, if you believe in yourself, enjoy a challenge and appreciate working with exceptional people, then Elmington Affordable could very well be the last company you ever work for.

Elmington Affordable is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. Elmington Affordable makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.

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