KTGY’s IDP coordinator Wil Wong, AIA, principal and designer at KTGY, attributes the success of the firm’s IDP to KTGY’s focus on professional development, personalized attention, and firm-wide support. “Interns are consistently exposed to both formal and informal individual discussions about their IDP progress,” said Wong. “This allows us to tailor our efforts specifically to each intern and provides an environment that is truly conducive to mentorship.”
KTGY has been involved with the IDP program since 1995, long before it was required by the AIA in California in 2005. KTGY’s in-house program provides interns with the depth and breadth of experience they need to become licensed architects.
“The energy and interaction that comes from having professionals mentor interns has helped the firm and everyone become better at what they do. Interns at KTGY play an active role in all phases of marketing, management, design, documentation, and construction administration. As a result, KTGY has become known as one of the top firms in the West for intern training experience. We currently have 10 interns on staff,” said Wong.
The Intern Development Program (IDP) started in 1976 as a pilot program developed by the AIA and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) to ensure the continued support of interns by the changing profession of architecture. IDP is a profession-wide, comprehensive training program that is focused on the professional development of architectural interns. Through a series of required activities, IDP enables participants to acquire knowledge, understanding and skills that form the core competencies related to successful architectural practice. IDP is structured in a way that effectively responds to the training needs of architectural interns by providing a wide range of resources, established progressive benchmarks, advice and mentor guidance throughout the extensive internship process. Completion of the IDP is required for initial licensure in 51 of the 54 jurisdictions of the United States. For more information on the awards program, please visit http://www.aia.org/
The Intern Development Program Advisory Committee is a unique cross-collateral committee, which includes three representatives from both the AIA and NCARB, and one member each from the NAC, American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS), and The Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) as well as one independent intern representative, a member from the Council of Architectural Component Executives (CACE) and the Society of Design Administrators (SDA). As a group, they are the IDPAC and they are charged with monitoring the program and making recommendation on IDP policy.
For over 150 years, members of The American Institute of Architects have worked with each other and their communities to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings and cityscapes. AIA members have access to the right people, knowledge, and tools to create better design, and through such resources and access, they help clients and communities make their visions real. Currently there area 38 AIA and Associate AIA members at KTGY. For more information about AIA, visit www.aia.org.
KTGY GROUP, INC., Architecture and Planning, was created in 1991, with project viability and client satisfaction as abiding priorities, while providing complete planning and architectural design services for residential communities, retail developments, hospitality and related specialty projects. In a complex and changing world, the firm consistently delivers innovative solutions that reflect clear understanding of development, marketing and financial performance. KTGY takes particular pride in its highly motivated and principal led studio teams, who deliver superior services, thus strengthening clients’ long-term growth and earnings objectives. Serving clients throughout the United States, the firm has locations in Irvine, Santa Monica, Oakland and Denver. For more information, contact Sayeh Rad at (949) 851-2133 or visit www.ktgy.com.
