Grad student designs a future with NYC co-op

Grad student designs a future with NYC co-op

Prestigious architecture firm provides bridge between academics and real-world experience

When Tamara Nasr left her home in the country of Lebanon to study at the University of Cincinnati, she brought with her not only a five-year architecture degree from the Lebanese American University in Beirut, but also the distinction of being a Fulbright Scholar.

Now heading into her second academic year in UC's Master of Science in architecture degree program, Nasr is taking full advantage of every opportunity - academic and professional - that her time in the U.S. has to offer.

This summer, she's completing a four-month co-op at Steven Holl Architects, a top-ranked, internationally recognized firm headquartered in Manhattan. With just 25 employees across three offices - two in New York and one in Beijing, China - the firm maintains a small-team atmosphere that fosters meaningful interaction.

Tamara Nasr is the first UC student to co-op at Holl Architects in NYC. Photo provide by Nasr.

Nasr says the close-knit structure of the offices has given her the unique opportunity to work directly with senior leadership, including renowned architect Steven Holl.

"There's one-to-one interaction with everyone at the top," Nasr says. "I've had direct communication with Steven, and that's been incredibly helpful to my learning."

Nasr is the first student from UC's College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP) to co-op at the firm - a connection forged in part by the firm's director of fabrication, Michael Haddy, a UC alum and former faculty member.

Tasks at hand

At the firm, Nasr has been immersed in research-driven design preparation for a potential commission and has also worked hands-on crafting architectural models for a private art studio. This model work is something she is especially passionate about, she says, because it is often overlooked in favor of digital renderings.

"With physical models, you enter a more intimate relationship with the design," Nasr says. "You can test light qualities, materiality and iterate quickly. It drives design decisions in a tactile way that screens just can't replicate."

Haddy says Nasr has shown strong skills in model making, drawing and graphics. "Her physical models have been well crafted and effective in communicating design intent."

Tamara Nasr Graduate student, DAAP architecture program

Nasr's pursuit of the co-op and the architecture master's degree program was shaped by personal connections and academic alignment. A friend from her undergraduate years had transferred to UC's industrial design program and an academic peer provided insight into the graduate experience at UC. Notably, the former dean of her school in Lebanon, Elie Haddad, is also a UC alumnus.

These connections, along with DAAP's global reputation and a program structure that emphasized research over studio work, made UC stand out, she says.

"Most master's programs I found were studio-based and felt like a repetition of my undergraduate work," she explains. "UC's program offered a completely different perspective - one that emphasized academic writing, theoretical inquiry and research."

Co-op at UC

Now and next

Outside of the office, Nasr embraced the full New York City experience.

"It was my first time in NYC," she says. "I'm lucky to have a cousin living in Brooklyn studying law, so I could stay in her apartment. I spent the summer visiting museums and exploring different neighborhoods. I made a lot of friends from many countries and walks of life, including valuable contacts in my own field."

Nasr was also aided by UC's National Co-op Ambassador Scholarship, which provides up to $3,000 per semester to undergraduate or graduate students in any major who secure a full-semester co-op or internship in one of 13 select metropolitan areas across the United States.

In addition to her coursework, Nasr is earning a certificate in urban design. When she returns to Cincinnati this fall, she'll complete her final classes before beginning her thesis work in the spring and summer semesters.

Tamara Nasr at the design table. located at Holl Architects in NYC. Photo provided by Nasr.

As a Fulbright exchange scholar, Nasr aspires to work in the U.S. for at least a year after graduation before returning to Lebanon to apply her knowledge and experience toward advancing the field of architecture in her home country.

Reflecting on her academic journey so far, Nasr says, "This program has taken me to another level. It's given me a deeper perspective - not just as an architect, but as a researcher and thinker.

In addition to her coursework, Nasr is earning a certificate in urban design. When she returns to Cincinnati this fall, she'll complete her final classes before beginning her thesis work in the spring and summer semesters.

As a Fulbright exchange scholar, Nasr aspires to work in the U.S. for at least a year after graduation before returning to Lebanon to apply her knowledge and experience toward advancing the field of architecture in her home country.

Reflecting on her academic journey so far, Nasr says, "This program has taken me to another level. It's given me a deeper perspective - not just as an architect, but as a researcher and thinker.

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