Another Spring Intern session for the books! Makenzie was a stellar planning intern and Xizi has been fantastic in her role as a Landscape Architecture intern during her 1-year stay with us.
(from left to right in picture above)
Makenzie Stewart, Planning Intern: Bachelor of Urban Planning at the University of Cincinnati College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning.
Xizi Yu, Landscape Architecture Intern: Recent Graduate of Master of Landscape Architecture program at Cornell University School of Architecture Art & Planning (AAP).
We asked each of them to share their reflections on their spring with REA:
What’s been your favorite experience during this internship?
- MS: My favorite experiences during this internship were the community planning weeks that I was part of in Beech Grove and Westfield. It was a great engagement opportunity to learn about the public’s interests and wants for their community! These plans are tools for the people in these cities, and it is rewarding to know I am making a difference in their community.
- XY: One of my favorite moments was sitting in on public meetings and listening to community members share their thoughts about a park and their neighborhood. It was meaningful to hear firsthand how people connect with these spaces, what they value, what they hope for, and even what frustrates them. It reminded me that design isn’t just about aesthetics or function, but about relationships—between people and place. That moment grounded my understanding of the impact landscape architecture can have and showed me the importance of listening and communicating as a design tool.
What skill or knowledge have you gained from this experience?
- MS: One skill I gained that I previously did not have was technical writing. This internship had a lot of project phases that required drafting, and I was able to help the planning team write some of the content in those plans!
- XY: This internship really helped me bridge the gap between ideas and execution. I learned how to take abstract design concepts and turn them into strategies that work within real-world limits. I got a lot more comfortable with graphics, whether it was mapping, plan rendering, perspective views, or building models. I also learned how to prepare presentations and observe sites more effectively. That hands-on experience gave me a clearer sense of how design decisions actually play out during construction.
What notable project(s) have you worked on during your internship?
- MS: The most notable project I worked on was the Comprehensive and Transportation Plan for the City of Westfield. I created multiple graphics, engagement materials, and presentations for meetings. I attended most meetings; ranging from open houses, steering committee meetings, focus group meetings, elected official meetings and meeting with the city staff. I was very involved in this project over the course of my semester here.
- XY: I recently got to work on the early phases of the Hayes Arboretum Master Plan, where I researched precedents and helped create public engagement boards to support ideas for the park’s future. I also worked on diagrams for Monon Boulevard, a project that’s already been built. It was exciting to study something real and understand how all the pieces came together; it gave me a new appreciation for the relationship between drawings and what gets built.
Tell us about your capstone project. How will you benefit from this project? How will the firm benefit from this research?
- MS: My capstone project reimagines a key corridor in downtown Indianapolis to address gaps in bike and pedestrian infrastructure, green space, and stormwater management. It focuses on bridging the gap for improved connectivity and climate resilience through sustainable, people-centered street design. I am very excited to put this project in my portfolio and use this to showcase new skills I have gained during this internship. It will hopefully benefit the firm in their endeavors to bridge this gap downtown. There is movement around this area so fingers crossed we will see this project play out in the next couple of years!
- XY: My capstone project looks at the Central Canal in downtown Indy and imagines how it could be more than just a scenic backdrop but something more ecologically rich, accessible, and engaging for the public. I combined site analysis, mapping, and speculative design ideas, and used AI image generation tools like Midjourney to help bring those visions to life. The process really pushed me to improve how I communicate ideas and think across different scales, from big-picture systems to small, site-specific details. I hope REA can take something from this work, not just in terms of rethinking urban ecological spaces, but also in how new tools like AI can open up fresh ways to tell stories, test ideas, and connect with communities early in the design process.
Whatdid you enjoy about the city of Indianapolis?
- MS: I enjoyed exploring the city of Indy and learning about its history! I had a blast going to places like the Indianapolis Symphony and local restaurants with delicious food. I cannot wait to come back and visit to explore even more.
- XY: I like spending time in the Canal District, especially on weekends when my friend and I would take long walks there. It’s one of those places where the city and nature mix in a really special way. What I enjoy most are the quiet moments in between - the hidden courtyards, the little neighborhood trails, and the overlooked green edges that feel full of possibility, both for design and for just being present.
