Garvin Design Group welcomes six new teammates
June 6, 2022
Garvin Design Group recently welcomed five summer interns and one new full-time architectural staff member. Clemson University School of Architecture graduate students Alexandra Masters, Nicole Coker, Edgar Alatorre, and Michael Caraballo began summer internships in May. The firm also welcomed marketing intern Kate Hughes and full-time architectural staff member Brittany Lapple. Nicole Coker continues a series of internships she began with Garvin Design Group in 2019. Kate Hughes, Alexandra Masters, Michael Caraballo, and Edgar Alatorre all join the firm for the first time.
Garvin Design Group’s summer 2022 cohort of architectural interns is larger than any previous year’s group and includes emerging architects from across the Southeast. Nicole Coker grew up in St. Matthews, SC and has been with Garvin Design Group since 2019 as a seasonal architectural intern. She earned her undergraduate from Clemson University. Nicole particularly enjoys community-based design. Michael Caraballo is originally from Lexington, SC and earned an associate degree in Architecture from Midlands Technical College and a Bachelor of Architecture from Clemson University. Michael has experience interning for other local architecture firms but is new to Garvin Design Group. Michael enjoys art design and the problem-solving aspect of architecture. Alexandra Masters is also a native of Columbia and earned her undergraduate degree in art history, business, and environmental studies from the University of South Carolina. Alexandra believes architecture is the perfect marriage of creativity and technicality, two areas in which she excelled in school and hopes to keep present in her career. Edgar Alatorre was born and raised in Florida and earned his undergraduate degree in architecture at the University of Florida. Edgar previously interned at Tekton Architecture in Gainesville, FL.
A Columbia native, Kate Hughes is a rising junior at the University of Mississippi studying general business with an emphasis in marketing. Kate’s interest in advertising and branding inspired her interest in marketing and her summer internship in the field. Kate’s time as a GDG summer intern will give her experience in social media, advertising and promotions, press relations, graphic design, data analytics, and business development.
Brittany Lapple returns to Garvin Design Group as a full-time member of the architectural staff. She first joined the firm in May 2018 following her undergraduate studies at Clemson University School of Architecture. She worked in the studio full time for two years and returned to Clemson in fall 2020. Brittany completed her graduate studies in May 2022.
“We are thrilled to have these new team members with us this summer,” said Scott Garvin, President of Garvin Design Group. “Their collective energy and fresh ideas will provide a great experience for our firm over the next few months.”
About Garvin Design Group
Celebrating its 19th anniversary this year, Garvin Design Group offers comprehensive planning and design services for a variety of project types and sizes. From master planning and programming to interior up-fits and new construction, Garvin Design Group strives to provide client-driven design solutions throughout South Carolina. The firm of 20 people has completed more than $1 billion worth of projects since its founding in 2003. GDG’s contributions to the community and the profession earned it the American Institute of Architects – South Carolina’s (AIA SC) 2019 Firm Award, the Columbia Chamber’s 2020 Small Business of the Year Award, and recognition as a 2021 Top 3 Best in Business Award from SC Business Monthly. For more information, visit www.garvindesigngroup.com.
