ARB Tour Experience as an Intern
By Trevor Schwartz
As an intern for GLHN, I expected to be doing busy work most of the time, so when I got the opportunity to take a tour of the construction site for the new Advanced Research Building at the University of Arizona, I was thrilled. Although it was a hot summer day, it was exciting for me to be able to put on the vest and hard hat as I entered the site. I got to see behind the scenes and gain some insight as to how the whole construction process goes. Seeing the entire layout made me realize how much planning goes into the design of a building. Everything must be so precise and detailed so as to create an enjoyable experience for the people who will use the building.
Jon Johnson, who led the tour, showed me the intricate design of each room and its specific purpose, as well as every little detail that will turn those desires into reality. Seeing the exoskeleton of the building was so surreal since I had only ever been in a building when it is fully complete, so to see the inner workings of what makes a building functional was eye-opening for me. Seeing all the construction workers grinding away at their jobs also made me realize the scope of how many people are needed to create a project at this scale. The number of hours worked for just one position must have been so grueling, so I gained a new level of respect for all of those involved in the process of construction and planning.
I am so glad I had the privilege of being able to take pictures and video of the tour so I could share my experience with the world. Going on this tour truly changed the way I look at buildings now. I am now always curious as to where all the electronics are placed hidden within the walls and where certain support beams are located. I hope to continue with tours like this in the future so I can learn more about the industry and how buildings are brought to life.