Announcements June 16, 2025

Meet Our 2025 NOMA Future Faces Fellow, Jeremy Lynn

Jeremy will be based out of our Durham studio.

The National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) continues to champion the next generation of diverse designers through its Future Faces Fellowship. Now in its seventh year, the program connects architecture students and recent graduates with leading firms across the country for a two-month summer experience focused on design research, mentorship, and professional development. In a field where less than 20 percent of licensed architects in the U.S. identify as people of color, the fellowship plays a vital role in expanding access and shaping a more equitable future for the profession.

This summer, we’re proud to welcome Jeremy Lynn, an architecture student at Penn State University, to our Durham studio as part of the 2025 cohort. We spoke with Jeremy about his journey into architecture, the values that guide his work, and what he hopes to contribute to the profession.

Where do you consider home, and how has that place—or the people there—shaped the way you see the built environment?

I would consider home to be in two places: the Bronx, New York, and Pocono Lake, Pennsylvania. For the first ten years of my life, I lived in the Bronx, a borough defined by towering apartment buildings, gridded streets, and large numbers of people. There, the built environment reflected the cultural diversity of my community, which was predominantly Latin American, and allowed me to see a city truly created by the people, for the people. When I moved to Pocono Lake at age eleven, the built environment offered something completely different. The homes are nestled within forests, lakes, and quiet roads, and the town values privacy and a closer connection to nature much more than New York City. Together, these two places taught me how geography, culture, and community influence the way people understand the spaces around them

Your resume speaks not only to academic excellence but also to heart—a care for community, equity, and accessibility. Where do those values come from in your life?

I believe a big part of those values comes from my family upbringing. Growing up, my family and I always made sure we could provide not only for those living with us but also for our relatives in Puerto Rico. I was fortunate to always have food on my plate and someone to help me with homework whenever I was stuck on a question. As I got older, it became clear to me that not everyone has the same experience. This realization led me to start volunteering in communities both locally and abroad to help ensure everyone has equal access to resources. I believe architecture has the power to change lives and support those who are less fortunate. Every time I design, I remind myself to “put yourself in someone else’s shoes.”

As part of Penn State’s architecture program, Jeremy (leftmost side) studied abroad in spring 2024 through The Pantheon Institute in Rome, Italy. He visited Paestum with classmates from Penn State and Connecticut College to explore some of the most well-preserved ancient Greek temples in the world.

In 2023, Jeremy traveled to Kairo, a rural town in Tanzania, with the organization GIVE Volunteers. There, he helped construct an accessible wheelchair ramp and a concrete structure for a new water tank.

Are there any school projects or moments so far that you’re especially proud of?

Each school project I have worked on offers something to be proud of, whether it’s the time I took to develop the project or how useful it was to the local community. My favorite project—one I feel was the most impactful both for me and the community it served—was a design for an intergenerational daycare in Brazil. The daycare was designed to connect the rural community of Nova Viçosa to community, food, and nature through a large agricultural area while also combating heat stress. My group and I worked tirelessly to develop new earthen wall systems using traditional techniques, improve existing community systems, and strengthen community outreach.

Apart from school projects, some of my proudest moments in my career so far have been being selected as a NOMA Future Faces Fellow this year and serving as the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Task Force Chair for the American Institute of Architecture Students. Both roles really reflect my passion for making architecture more accessible and equitable for students everywhere.

You’re part of the NOMA Future Faces Fellowship, a program rooted in mentorship and opportunity. What drew you to it, and what does being part of this year’s cohort mean to you?

The idea of being a part of a large community of like-minded students working to improve the architecture profession for everyone is what drew me to the program. I think having representation in architecture is so important because it helps create equal opportunities for all people. Being selected for this year’s cohort is truly inspiring—it makes me feel like I can really make a difference in the built environment.

Through Penn State’s community-centered design research studio, Jeremy helped design an intergenerational daycare center in Brazil with a team of classmates. His focus was on developing a new earthen wall system that could be adopted and sustained by the local community.

When you think of architecture as a way to serve others, what kinds of communities or projects are you most drawn to?

I’m most drawn to communities in need of affordable housing, food, basic necessities, and educational resources—those are some of the challenges I’ve seen people in my own communities’ face. Lately, I’ve been especially interested in education and multi-family housing projects, particularly in areas with the greatest need.

What drew you to Perkins&Will, and what excites you most about working here?

I first heard about Perkins&Will during my freshman year of college when a friend shared their experience from a firm crawl. I was instantly intrigued by the idea of working someday with such a diverse and talented group of people. My freshman-year self would be thrilled to know I’ve achieved that dream. I’m really happy to be growing my skills as a designer and diving into the profession. This is my first internship, so I’m excited to learn as much as I can and collaborate with community members on projects that matter to them.

You’ll be spending the summer with our Durham studio. What are you most excited to learn, try, or explore while you’re here?

Since this is my first internship, I’m most excited to get a behind-the-scenes look at how an architecture firm actually functions. In school, students don’t learn nearly enough about the business and operational side of architecture. I’m looking forward to seeing how the Durham studio works, while also getting to participate in site visits (which I’ve never done before), client meetings (also new to me), and exploring different parts of Durham.

In 2024, Jeremy worked alongside rural fishing communities in Thailand and Laos, contributing to permaculture development, English education, and wildlife conservation initiatives.

What does mentorship mean to you right now? What are you hoping to learn from it—and what would you love to pass on someday?

Mentorship is not just about sharing knowledge; it is about connecting with someone on a deeper level and understanding their perspective. During my time at Penn State, I have had countless mentors who inspired my curiosity about the world and helped shape me into the architect I am today. Someday, I hope to pass on a love for the profession and show that architecture is not just about buildings, but about how those spaces make people feel. By embracing my culture and being proud of my background, I want to inspire others who look like me to know they can be architects too.

In your eyes, what makes a project “good”? Is it about how it looks, how it works, or how it makes people feel?

At the core of my beliefs, a project is “good” when people feel they can take ownership of it and make it their own. People not only need to feel drawn to the built environment, but the built environment also needs to feel connected to the people it serves. I believe this dialogue between people and spaces is what sets architecture apart from other professions.

Looking ahead, what’s one hope you have for your path after school—or one difference you hope to make through your work?

I’ve always had a passion for helping people. That passion is what ultimately led me to pursue architecture and to lead by example. I look forward to a future where everyone can live harmoniously and come together to create new ideas and build sustainable cities. Until then, my hope is to one day build an organization that gives back to places most people haven’t even heard of. There’s a real problem with who has access to resources and who doesn’t. If I can push the profession just one step further toward addressing that, I’ll consider my work fulfilled.