Take 5 with Our Intern Designer Kaysen Mills

How long have you been at GMSHAY?

I began working at GMSHAY 3 months ago.

What do you like to do for fun?

I have always been interested in art through a variety of forms. I enjoy drawing, which is one of the reasons I was drawn to architecture, and I love printmaking. Aside from visual art, I like to express myself through movement. I spend most of my free time doing aerial arts, including aerial silks, hoop, and trapeze. I grew up as a dancer with a specialty in acro and contortion, so doing aerial arts is the perfect way for me to combine athleticism with artistry. 

I also love spending time outside and really enjoy hammocking in Forsyth Park when it is nice outside. Slacklining, rock climbing, and going to the beach are some of my favorite things to do outside. The outdoors are a huge inspiration for my art so I like to be outside enjoying nature as much as I can.

What's your favorite thing about working with the GMSHAY team?

It has been fun getting the chance to work on a large variety of tasks, from designing social media posts, to researching materials, to working on floor plan layouts. I have been exposed to many different types of projects and learned about GMHSAY’s vast portfolio. The GMSHAY team is always willing to help me or give advice, and along with being extremely knowledgeable, I love how the entire team is very kind and positive. I can tell that everyone is very passionate about what they do, and it is inspiring to see. 

What do you like to design/What are the most important principles that you bring to the design table?

I like to design buildings that have a connection with nature. I like to use plants and the outdoors not only as inspiration for my design choices, but also as elements incorporated into my design. I believe that there should always be a strong relationship between the natural environment and architecture. When I am creating designs, I not only consider ways to include nature, but I also have a large focus on balance and precision. In my drawings, I use precise linework and enjoy creating detailed plans and sketches. I hope to be able to use the same precision and detail in all aspects of design in architecture. 

What else would you like to share with the world about YOUR story?

I grew up on a small farm in Virginia and have never lived in the city until I moved to Savannah for college. I think that growing up surrounded by trees, plants, and animals really shaped my love for the outdoors and helped me appreciate how important it is for humans to be connected to nature. Savannah was a great city to move to, for me, because it has such a great balance of parks and trees, and man-made structures, and it is a huge inspiration for what I want to be able to design in the future. It was still a big change for me to go from the country to the city, mainly the fact that Savannah is a walkable city. I noticed that there is so much more of a community here in Savannah because of the walkability and the fact that nature is so prevalent throughout the city. It is inspiring to see how the design of a built environment can affect a group of people so much. I had an interest in architecture before moving to Savannah, but living here really solidified my interest and I feel like I become more passionate about architecture the more I learn about it in this city.