Haley Beverlin’s interest in architecture started when she was in middle school. After her family experienced a house fire and their house was being rebuilt, she realized the impact of architecture and that she could pursue it as a career. “As I was watching the construction happen, I thought being an architect could be a great way to design something that impacted the world in a positive way,” Haley expressed.
Haley is currently a graduate student at Lawrence Technological University’s College of Architecture and Design (LTU CoAD) and says that receiving the scholarship has relieved some of the financial burden of her degree. “This award has allowed me to focus on my education rather than how I am paying for it, which is a great gift.”
The highlight of Haley’s program has been meeting people during LTU design-build week, “being able to connect with the people I have been learning with was exciting and allowed me to make new connections with my peers.” She has also been enjoying engaging in projects within the city of Detroit.
What does Haley love most about architecture? “I love the ability to transform someone’s daily life. There is great joy in seeing your work come alive and I find that aspect of architecture exciting. I also enjoy the trial and error that comes with the design process. Iterating an idea and shaping your design is a process that is entangled into many stages of architecture, which allows you to continuously refine your work.”
One of Haley’s favorite works of architecture is the Aqua Tower in Chicago, designed by Studio Gang. She explained, “I think the diagrams of the façade replicating the natural topography really stuck with me.”
Haley currently has interest in designing museums and cultural institutions. After working on a project for work, she was excited by the prospect of using architecture as a background to what is being exhibited.
As part of their MAF Scholarship application, students must include a personal statement describing their interest, experience, and plans related to architecture, and their leadership and extracurricular activities.
Haley included that she is currently on the Board of Directors of Architectural Salvage Warehouse of Detroit, a non-profit that seeks to divert construction and demolition waste from the landfill to give materials a second life. “I have really enjoyed working with them, and I have a passion for their mission to create a more circular economy for building materials.”
Haley also expressed her goal of making a difference in communities through architecture projects by promoting wellness in her designs, “I would love to work on small community based urban projects in the long run of my career and focus on building resilient communities.”
Students are also required to submit a personal portfolio with their application. Haley included various projects from her undergraduate studies at University of Michigan. The pieces in her portfolio ranged from a boathouse design to a project regarding how to revitalize empty lots utilizing deconstructed materials from Detroit homes.
Michigan Architectural Foundation’s mission is to advance awareness of how architecture enriches life. How does Haley think architecture enriches life? “I think that architecture truly shapes how we can feel within a space. I believe that a functional and creative solution to enhance our daily lives can be achieved through architecture. Great architecture can create a new experience for someone and can enhance our daily activities in various ways.”