At Ware Malcomb, we are committed to empowering the next generation of architects, engineers, designers, and industry leaders. In alliance with CEO Learning Alliance Orange County (CLAOC), we have participated in the Career Exploration Experience (CEE) program for three consecutive years. The program brings together high school-age students, interns, and experienced professionals, enabling students to explore careers, develop technical skills, gain practical work experience, and refine their professional skills by working in small teams to complete micro-projects. This multigenerational approach to teaching and learning encourages a dynamic exchange of ideas, skills, and perspectives.
As we celebrate World Architecture Day, this year’s theme, “Empowering the Next Generation,” aligns with our goals through this program, and many others, to inspire and mentor future generations.
Career Exploration Experience (CEE) Program
As highlighted last year in Orange County Business Journal, our efforts have a lasting impact. The five-week CEE internship has inspired students to pursue careers in architecture and design. We plan to continue building on the success of this program and others, compounding our impact each year.
At the beginning of the program, students were assigned a design exercise meant to challenge the skills they would learn throughout the course. The exercise encouraged students to incorporate the following:
- Scale:Â The relative size of an element in a design compared to another element
- 3D Modeling: Creation of creative ideas in the 3rd Dimension
- Parti (Sketch) Development: Organizes all the different program elements and expresses a concept
- AI: Creation of inspirational imagery via utilization of AI software
- Collaboration:Â A fundamental skill in the profession
The students split into teams and created incredibly thoughtful, well-concepted designs. Below are a few we’d like to highlight:
Team Bravo – Overwatch: The team created a studio that represented the need for community by creating a green space that is porous and welcoming. The remaining spaces were elevated for privacy while providing a voyeuristic experience with its ability to look down into the green space below.
Team Delta – Greenhaven: The team deliberately created a clear separation of work and rest spaces, showing appreciation for a work/life balance with a hint of privacy. The equal size distribution for all spaces gives equal importance to each, reemphasizing the balance of the elegant studio solution.
Team Fox – Belvedere: The team created a dynamic studio that used the programmatic requirements to shape and give importance to a cantilevering garden that cascades into the spaces below. Open to the sky, the garden gives you the feeling that it’s infinite and contained only by your imagination. The rooms are staggered to emphasize public vs. private, with the workspace directly visible while the rest area is nestled deeply into the site. The team’s emphasis on the vast garden and rest areas outweighs the focus on the work area, which is only a fraction of the size.
Empowering the Next Generation
Through our outreach and mentorship initiatives, we aim to empower the next generation to:
- Develop skills and knowledge to succeed in the industry
- Cultivate creativity, innovation, and critical thinking
- Embrace sustainability, equity, and social responsibility
- Shape the built environment to improve communities and lives
A Culture of Giving Back
We continually focus on making an impact in the communities where we live, work and thrive. Through our philanthropic arm, WM Community, we seek to provide opportunities and give aid to those in need. We support various non-profit organizations and initiatives annually, participating in pro bono projects, providing free and at-cost design services, and volunteering hours to numerous charitable organizations. Other mentorship outreach efforts include:
- ACE Mentoring
- Orange County High School United Way Internship
- Ware Malcomb Internship Program
These programs demonstrate our passion for empowering students and young professionals, providing them with valuable skills, experience, and guidance to succeed in their chosen careers.
As we celebrate World Architecture Day and reflect on our commitment to empowering the next generation, we remain dedicated to fostering a brighter, more sustainable future for all. As design professionals, we have a responsibility to create a built environment that is inclusive for all. Through our continued participation in programs like CLAOC’s Career Exploration Experience and our various outreach initiatives, we are proud to play a role in shaping the minds and careers of tomorrow’s leaders. Empowering the next generation is a responsibility and a vital investment in the future of our industry and communities. We look forward to continuing our efforts and inspiring a new wave of innovators, thinkers, and change-makers to build a better world for future generations.
To learn more about Ware Malcomb’s outreach efforts, explore our 2024 ESG Report.
