New kids on the block!

We’re thrilled to welcome an incredible group of co-ops, fellows, and practicum participants from across the globe and schools nationwide. Each brings unique skills and perspectives to our work, spanning architecture, planning, marketing, and research.

We’re excited for all the fresh ideas and creativity they’ll bring to Utile! Stay tuned for a look at what they’re up to later this summer!

From left to right:

Jacob Naim, Corcoran Fellow, Boston College (‘26)

Originally from Marlborough, Massachusetts, he is a rising senior at Boston College pursuing double majors in Economics & Theology, as well as a minor in German Studies. He plans on attending law school upon graduation, with an interest in planning.

Nishka Kumar, Marketing Co-op, Northeastern University (‘27)

Originally from Dallas, Texas, she is a rising junior at Northeastern University pursuing a B.S in Architecture with a minor in Business Administration. She is passionate about the intersection of thoughtful architecture and strategic marketing to better communicate in the design world.

Sarah Friedman, Architecture Co-op, Northeastern University (‘26)

Sarah, Architecture Co-op: Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Sarah is in her 5th year at Northeastern University where she is pursuing a B.S. in Architecture with a minor in Civil Engineering.

Pradipa (Miang) Patanakijpaibul, Summer Intern, Rhode Island School of Design (’26)

Originally from Bangkok, Thailand, she is a fifth-year Architecture student at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), pursuing a B.Arch with a concentration in Nature-Culture-Sustainability Studies.

Evan Diaz, Research Fellow: Northeastern University (‘25) & University of California – Berkeley (‘28)

Evan joins Utile’s summer cohort after graduating from Northeastern University where he developed a core interest in housing design and policy. He is currently researching the potential outcomes of Providence, RI’s most recent upzoning and what local policy or economic road blocks could stymie housing development. He looks to continue similar research and advocacy at UC Berkeley starting this Fall.

Cayden Abu-Arja, Research Fellow, Harvard Graduate School of Design (‘26)

Cayden, Research Fellow: From Amman, Jordan, she is pursuing her Masters in Architecture and Urban Planning at Harvard GSD concentrating in International and Comparative Planning. At Utile she is researching Pre/Post Occupancy Evaluations across a variety of scales from Interiors, to Architecture, to Urban Design, to Urban Planning and Policy, through the lens of Community Engagement, Design Justice, and going Beyond Land Acknowledgements.