Page 48 - AIT0625_E-Paper

SERIEN LEHRJAHRE BEI ... • WORKING AT ...
... trägt die klare Handschrift von MET Architects (AIT 11.2021). • ... bears the clear signature of MET Architects. enjoyed this very much, as it allowed me to gain a wide range of experience in a relatively
Haus SK, ein Wochenend- und Gästehaus im Libanon, ... • House SK, a weekend- and guest house in Lebanon, ...
... haben MET Architects 2019 fertiggestellt. • ... was completed by MET Architects in 2019.
Fotos: Ieva Saudargaité, Beirut
048 • AIT 6.2025
and Mr Thalhofer as the senior figures performing a wide range of tasks. When I started,
I replaced another intern, so I was the only intern in the office for most of the time. When
it comes to the work culture, I think you can speak for Switzerland as a whole. Depending
on the contract, the working hours are 42.5 hours per week, and I actually guess that
almost everyone worked more than that each and every week. However, even interns are
remunerated, which is not always the case in Germany.
r MET Architects was founded by Roula Moharram, originally from Beirut, and Tho-
mas Thalhofer, originally from Augsburg. How international is the office positioned?
The international atmosphere was evident every day in the office. At least three different
languages were always spoken. The main communication was in English or German, Ms
Moharram communicated with French-speaking colleagues, and during my time there,
people also spoke Italian and Portuguese. More than half of the team came from non-
German-speaking countries. This made everyday work interesting and was reflected in
the way we worked and in the choice of equipment, colours and materials.
r How would you rate your six-month internship? Is this enough time to settle in and
ultimately feel at home in the office?
The duration of my internship suited me very well, as I had just completed my bachelor’s
degree and really wanted to gain an insight into the world of work before starting the
second part of my studies. Over the course of these six months, I had the opportunity to
work on various projects and thus also in different phases of the work process. I really
short period of time. On the one hand, I was able to work on building applications and
the associated formalities, and on the other hand, I was actively involved in the imple-
mentation planning.
r Which specific projects were you actually able to work on and what did you learn?
I mainly worked on the implementation planning for the restaurant at the Bachgraben
outdoor public swimming pool located in Basel. The planning- and implementation pha-
ses were temporally very close together, so I was able to see first-hand how the drawings
were translated into the actual building. That was a very important experience for me.
During my internship, the gym at the Gellert school complex was completed and inau-
gurated with a small celebratory reception to which everyone involved was invited. We
also regularly visited completed projects in smaller groups to take another look at certain
details that had been implemented. That was always very helpful in linking the drawings
to the built details. In addition to the professional events, lunch breaks together were
always a nice opportunity to chat.
r Which aspects of the life- and work culture typical of Switzerland have you come
to appreciate? And what are your favourite places and activities?
To put it briefly: in Switzerland, you do pay a lot, but you also get something in return.
The standard of living is extremely high. This starts with everyday things such food, which
even low-wage earners can buy in high quality. The same also goes for housing. There is
living space available for everyone at a level that you would not even expect for higher-
quality properties in Germany. The geographical location was also a huge plus for me
personally. On the one hand, Switzerland has a lot to offer in terms of scenery, and on the
other hand, I found the combination of three cultures in one country very exciting, which
was particularly noticeable to me in Basel. This city hosts a wide variety of cultural events
throughout the year. The Basel Fasnacht, as the carnival is called, was very impressive.
The offerings in the numerous museums and theatres are also fascinating and the Open
House Basel event is a great opportunity to visit buildings that are otherwise inaccessible.
r Since 2023, you have been studying historical building research and monument
preservation at the Technical University of Berlin. Do you already know what field
you would like to work in later?
My interests are very diversified and I am currently keeping my options open for the futu-
re. With my current master‘s programme, I have entered a scientific field of architecture
teaches the preservation and maintenance of historic buildings today. With the combina-
that explores the origins, development and techniques of architecture in the past and
tion of a classical architecture degree and a master‘s in architectural history, I hope to be
well prepared to work either scientifically in cultural-heritage preservation or practically
in building in existing contexts.