Internship | WEsearch Lab

Architecture Business Intern - Practical Training

Are you an architecture student curious about how successful business practices are built in the design industry - not just how buildings are designed? Do you enjoy research, working with data, exploring AI tools, creating visual content, and solving diverse problems?

We are looking for an Architecture Business Intern to work closely with the founder over a 4-6 months hybrid internship based in Kolkata. This is a multidisciplinary role that combines architectural research, business strategy, data analysis, AI-assisted workflows, visual communication, and industry outreach. Rather than focusing on architectural drafting or modelling, you will contribute to understanding the architecture profession, building structured information systems, and supporting strategic initiatives that shape new products and ventures.

This internship is ideal for students who are intellectually curious, enjoy learning across disciplines, and want to understand the intersection of architecture, technology, and business while working in a fast-paced startup environment.

About WEsearch Lab

WEsearch Lab operates at the forefront of spatial design and artificial intelligence. We have established ourselves as India's leading design computation consultant and AI researcher in spatial design, lending our expertise to projects of national significance such as the Central Vista redevelopment and the G20’s venue Pragati Maidan redevelopment. Our clients are architecture and engineering firms.

Our commitment to innovation is further demonstrated through the release of our own Grasshopper plugins, including Eelish for automated column-beam placement and Chingree for generating Mondrian-inspired 3D massing. Our groundbreaking work has been presented at prestigious international institutions like the Architectural Association, London, and the University of Southern California.

WEsearch Lab's AI-enabled research, such the work on the detection of design plagiarism, has been recognized with the Indian Institute of Architect's (IIA) Excellence in Architecture Award. Most recently, we launched SAFE or NOT, an innovative AI tool that predicts the safety perception of women in a neighbourhood using photographs.

As part of our expanding initiatives, we are developing research-driven platforms that document and evaluate contemporary architectural practice.

What you will work on (Building a Business)

As an Architecture Business Intern, you will work directly with the founder across research, operations, and strategic initiatives. Your responsibilities will evolve as the service grows and may include:
• Industry Intelligence: Research architecture firms, projects, awards, design trends, and emerging opportunities across India and globally.
• Data & AI: Build structured datasets, experiment with AI tools, automate information gathering, and improve research workflows. You will be trained on using these tools.
• Business Strategy: Support market research, competitor analysis, product validation, and business decision-making.
• Visual Communication: Design presentations, reports, graphics, and other communication material for research and business initiatives.
• Industry Outreach: Communicate with architecture firms, designers, institutions, and other stakeholders for research and collaborations.

What you'll gain

• A stipend to support your time and effort.
• Direct mentorship while working closely with the founder on real business decisions.
• Learning latest AI methods of design metadata analysis.
• Exposure to how technology products, research platforms, and industry initiatives are conceived and built.
• Experience working at the intersection of architecture, AI, data, design, and entrepreneurship.
• Opportunities to take ownership of projects rather than working on narrowly defined tasks.
• Certification recognizing your role in a high-impact industry launch.
• A hybrid work environment based in Kolkata, combining in-person collaboration with flexibility.

Eligibility for Practical Training (CoA)

This internship is structured as an architectural practice in an allied field, aligned with the guidelines of the Council of Architecture for Practical Training (page 38). CoA says:

"Practical Training shall be undergone during 8th/ 9thsemester of the Architecture Degree course for a period of six months or one semester in the office of an architect or an organization operating in an allied field of practice or research, duly approved by the institution, under mentorship of an architect having experience of at least 5 years."

WEsearch Lab operates as an architectural research and design practice working at the intersection of architecture, computation, and industry knowledge systems. The internship provides exposure to multiple aspects of professional practice beyond conventional design production, including:
• Architectural and market research.
• Industry analysis and business strategy.
• Study of built projects and professional practices.
• Contribution to platforms that document and evaluate contemporary architecture.

The internship will be mentored by Joy Mondal (architect) and is intended to provide practical exposure to emerging areas of architectural practice. You are advised to seek prior approval from your institution.

Who we're looking for

• Students in Architecture: You must "speak the language" of the industry and recognize the nuances of high-quality design.
• Generalists who enjoy working across research, data, AI tools, visual communication, and business problems.
• People who are highly resourceful and enjoy figuring things out independently, even when the path is not clearly defined.
• Comfortable learning new software, AI tools, and digital workflows as required.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to organize information systematically.
• Willingness to engage in structured, high-volume research and documentation.
• Availability for a full-time hybrid internship in Kolkata (minimum 4 months).
• Prior experience with graphic design tools, spreadsheets, AI tools, web research, automation, or basic scripting is a plus.

Location: Kolkata (hybrid mode)
Duration: Minimum 4 months

This internship is not suitable for someone looking for a conventional architectural design internship focused on CAD, BIM, or working drawings.

Ready to contribute? If you're a dedicated and eager architecture student looking for a unique internship experience, we encourage you to apply!

Name*

Email address*

Contact number (Whatsapp enabled)*

College*

Completed year of study*

City of residence*

Expected stipend*

Internship start and end dates*

Suppose that you are tasked to "find the top 10,000 architecture firms in the world." The only instruction you receive is that sentence. Describe how you would approach the task. What questions would you ask? What sources would you use? How would you know when you are done? (Max 200 words)*

Describe one real problem where you have used AI tool to save significant time or produce better work. Do not include report writing and image generation. Explain your workflow rather than just the final result. If you have not, kindly answer "Have not used." (Max 200 words)*

Suppose you have the following tasks due by the end of the day:
1. Design five Instagram posts,
2. Research 200 architecture firms,
3. Reply to 30 emails,
4. Prepare a presentation for tomorrow's meeting,
5. Fix incorrect data in an Excel sheet.
How would you prioritise them? Explain your reasoning. (Max 200 words)*

Imagine you have ₹50,000 to market a brand-new architecture competition for students. How would you spend it? Briefly explain your strategy. (Max 200 words)*

If you are to review the quality of a housing design, how will you go about it? (Max 100 words)*

Tell us about a time you had to complete a high-volume, detail-oriented, but repetitive task. How did you ensure you didn't make mistakes? How did you maintain motivation? (Max 100 words)*

I understand that this is not a design studio role. I have reviewed the Council of Architecture Practical Training guidelines (page 38) and confirmed with my institution that this internship is acceptable for my academic requirements. I am available full-time.

Thanks for applying. We shall get back to you soon!