Architecture Student Blends Design, Business, and Real-World Experience at 鶹ɫƬ
鶹ɫƬ architecture student Hogan Cain combines internships, research, study abroad, leadership, and design to prepare for a career in architecture.
BRISTOL, R.I. – 鶹ɫƬ architecture student Hogan Cain '25 knew he wanted an architecture program that combined creativity, hands-on learning, and professional preparation. Growing up in Nottingham, N.H., Cain was surrounded by construction while developing interests in painting, photography, and film. He realized architecture combined both worlds.
When searching for colleges, Cain knew he wanted a (NAAB)-accredited architecture program that would prepare him for professional licensure. He also wanted to continue playing competitive soccer in New England.
鶹ɫƬ stood out as one of the few schools that offered both. Its NAAB-accredited architecture degree combines studio learning, internships, faculty research, study abroad, and leadership opportunities that prepare students for professional practice.
“After meeting with the [men’s soccer] coach, taking a tour of campus, and learning more about the design studio culture in the architecture program, I knew this was the right school for me,” said Cain.
Now pursuing his Master of Architecture after earning his Bachelor of Architecture in 2025, Cain has built a portfolio of academic, leadership, research, and professional experiences that have prepared him for a career in architecture.
Cain's interests in painting, photography, and film helped him develop an interdisciplinary approach to design. Recognizing the importance of understanding both creativity and business, he added a Business minor to complement his architectural studies.
“It’s given me a different level of perspective when approaching projects and from a leadership position, to think more business-minded when it comes to these often really creative endeavors,” Cain said.
Learning to Design with Purpose
One of Cain's most memorable first-year studio assignments challenged students to think beyond technical design.
Each student received four note cards featuring a painting, a poem, a material, and one of the five senses. Using those creative prompts, students designed a secluded house on an island. At first, the assignment seemed unusual.
Looking back, Cain said it fundamentally changed the way he approaches architecture by teaching him that every design should have meaning and tell a story. Rather than focusing solely on technical requirements, the project encouraged students to create spaces that connect emotionally with the people who use them.
“At the time, this seemed sort of odd and confusing but in hindsight it was extremely helpful in teaching me how to design buildings in a way that has a sense of reasoning and connection to a greater poetic purpose,” said Cain.
Cain said he was pleasantly surprised by the Cummings School of Architecture's emphasis on developing design concepts before addressing technical requirements. He noted the “emotional value” this approach brought to his work.
Although he completed many design projects as an undergraduate, Cain said that first-year assignment continues to shape the way he approaches architecture.
Cain described the architecture program as "tight-knit," saying the close relationships he built with professors, classmates, and university leaders ultimately convinced him to remain at 鶹ɫƬ for graduate school.
“All of the professors are sincerely involved in trying to help students. They’ll take extra time out of their days to help students,” said Cain. “They’ll take a vested interest in students' interests and what they want to pursue.”
Those relationships, combined with the University's NAAB-accredited Master of Architecture degree, made staying at 鶹ɫƬ an easy decision as he prepares for professional licensure.
Building Experience Through Internships and Research
During his undergraduate studies, Cain completed three internships across New England, gaining experience in residential, commercial, hospitality, affordable housing, senior living, and urban design projects.
His first internship was with in North Hampton, N.H., where he focused on single-family residential projects in rural communities. He later joined in Portsmouth, N.H., expanding his experience to affordable housing, multifamily, senior living, and commercial projects. He now interns with in Providence, R.I., where he works on larger-scale developments that incorporate urban design concepts.
These experiences strengthened both his technical skills and his confidence as a designer.
He is particularly proud of the trust his supervisors placed in him.
“Working in Providence, I was given a pretty open-ended project to help work on a neighborhood of condos that was a pretty large piece of land.”
His supervisors at ZDS provided basic site plans while allowing him to take ownership of the project.
“I’d never been given that much autonomy to work like that. It was super exciting, with the goal being that these projects would get built in the future, I’d get to have a sizable influence on it.”
Cain’s experiential learning also extends to faculty research.
During his senior year, he worked alongside 鶹ɫƬ Associate Professor of Architecture Ryan Ludwig on a research project exploring innovative affordable housing models. Together, they studied resident-owned manufactured housing communities across Colorado, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island to better understand financing models that increase housing affordability and community ownership.
Expanding Perspectives Beyond the Classroom
鶹ɫƬ's emphasis on experiential learning also gave Cain opportunities beyond the design studio.
In January 2024, he studied abroad in Lisbon and Porto, Portugal, during Winter Intersession. The experience marked his first time traveling outside North America and broadened both his personal and professional perspective.
Studying abroad introduced him to new cultures and architectural traditions. The experience changed how he sees architecture as a global profession.
“While I don't plan on working abroad in the future, I do feel that the experience has given me the confidence to pursue internships and other career opportunities away from home which has only helped my growth as a young professional, especially in a career like architecture which incorporates so many influences from professionals around the world.”
As an architecture tutor during his senior year, Cain helped fellow students learn industry-standard software, including Rhino, AutoCAD, Revit, and Adobe Creative Suite. Cain said that supporting classmates strengthened his communication skills while allowing him to give back to the architecture community that had supported him throughout his own education.
Leading On and Off the Field
Beyond the studio, Cain spent four seasons as goalkeeper on the 鶹ɫƬ Men's Soccer Team. By his senior year, he was named team captain and earned multiple All-Conference honors in the Conference of New England during the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
“I was honored and excited that my peers thought that of me and were excited to have me in that position,” Cain said as he reflected on his time as captain. “It’s not easy to manage lots of people … especially on a sports team. It’s not going to be easy every game or every play. So, in times of turmoil, it was challenging, but I think that was a valuable experience.”
His achievements have also been recognized within the architecture program. In 2025, Cain received both the Senior Design Award and the S/L/A/M Collaborative Scholarship. He considers the awards meaningful acknowledgments from faculty members he deeply respects, while the scholarship has helped make graduate school financially possible.
As Cain looks toward graduation, he plans to build on the experiences that have defined his time at 鶹ɫƬ – from research and internships to leadership, study abroad, and service to fellow students.
Together, those experiences have prepared Cain to begin his career with the technical skills, leadership experience, and creative perspective to design buildings that are both functional and meaningful.