New Perspective: M.Arch Student Hunter Bentley Interns at Bensonwood
For Hunter Bentley, M.Arch ‘28, a four-day field trip to Boston in February 2026 turned into the starting point for a summer internship that would reshape how he thinks about architecture.
Traveling with his studio cohort and Professor Ryan Smith, director of the School of Architecture, Bentley visited Bensonwood in New Hampshire and quickly became drawn to the company’s approach to design and construction.
“On the last day of the field trip, I got a push to talk with Mr. Porschitz again,” Bentley said. “I was so mesmerized by this company and what they were trying to achieve that I gave him my elevator pitch on wanting to work for the company in any way possible.”
That conversation with Bensonwood Head of Operations Hans Porschitz led to a business card and an invitation to stay in touch throughout the spring semester. Bentley did just that, ultimately joining Bensonwood for a summer of hands-on experience on the factory floor.
At Bensonwood, Bentley found that his time at CAPLA had given him an important foundation for communicating across the worlds of architecture and construction. His undergraduate experience introduced him to construction terminology, while CAPLA strengthened his understanding of how design decisions support larger architectural goals.
One of the biggest shifts in Bentley’s thinking came from seeing architecture and construction not as separate phases, but as parts of the same process. At Bensonwood, communication between architects, contractors and workers was essential to understanding design intent and solving problems in real time.
“I see them all as one, one without the other and the project fails,” Bentley said. “In my humble opinion, a better question to start asking ourselves is how to morph together architectural design and physical construction?”
Rather than being hesitant about what he did not know, Bentley found himself increasingly comfortable asking questions and working through problems with his coworkers. That curiosity became one of the most valuable habits he took away from the internship.
“With more questions, more communication happens,” he said. “Communication is the number one cause of a failed or successful project.”
Beyond that, Bentley valued the culture he found at Bensonwood. He became the “Shop DJ,” built friendships with members of the crew and spent weekends exploring New Hampshire and the surrounding region, including hiking and climbing Mount Monadnock and visiting Acadia National Park.
“I got to blast my music, shoutout to Travis for letting me borrow his speaker all summer,” Bentley said. “I enjoyed talking with the crew and gaining friendships during the breaks we had between the work.”
The experience has also influenced Bentley’s plans for the future. While he does not see himself spending his career on a factory floor, the opportunity to work directly with materials and construction has given him a perspective he hopes to bring into future design work.
“I’ll always remember feeling the tools, wood, nails and even the glue (that gosh dang glue),” he said.
Working alongside the people who physically build architecture made him more conscious of the responsibility architects have to consider everyone involved in a project.
“One experience at Bensonwood that I know I will carry into my career is compassion,” he said.
For Bentley, that means recognizing that the drawings produced by architects eventually become physical work for someone else. The decisions made during design can affect the people who are on panels, ladders and roofs, as well as those who will maintain, renovate or eventually demolish a building.
“We must think about everyone involved in the process of the building’s life cycle,” he said.
Bentley’s summer at Bensonwood expanded his understanding of what it means to be an architect. For him, the experience reinforced the idea that good design requires curiosity, communication and an awareness of the people who make architecture possible.
The summer was a great success, and Bensonwood said they would be happy to have Bentley back.
“Thanks Hunter, for spending the summer learning, working and becoming part of the team,” they said. “We hope to see you again soon!”
