About Us

Since 2019, brwarchitects has proudly hosted the Erwin-Ramsey Fellowship for graduate students and graduating fourth-year undergraduate Architectural students. The Fellowship aims to deepen BRW’s architectural contributions to Charlottesville, where we’ve served the community for the past 41 years.

The Fellowship Experience

Every summer, one Fellow is selected for an intensive three- or four-week program. They will design a research project focused on addressing a community need for the residents of Charlottesville. The Fellow’s work concludes with a final deliverable and a public presentation, workshop, showcase, or similar capstone developed by the Fellow. 

The Fellowship spans either three or four consecutive weeks, during which the selected Fellow works on a self-initiated project aimed at enhancing Charlottesville’s built environment for all. Affordability, accessibility, and equity are crucial factors in shaping our communities. The Erwin-Ramsey Fellowship is for students passionate about exploring the intersection between these factors and architectural practice, particularly in serving marginalized communities. To see previous fellow projects, scroll to the bottom of this page and click “Program Overview.” 

Support & Resources

Throughout the Fellowship, brwarchitects provides resources, project support, and one-on-one mentorship. Fellows also benefit from our extensive network of professional and community relationships built over nearly four decades in Charlottesville.

Dates & Compensation

Program dates are flexible to accommodate the Fellow’s academic schedule. We offer a one-time stipend of $2,400 for a three-week program or $3,200 for four weeks. Unfortunately, housing arrangements are not provided at this time.

Qualifications

Qualified Candidates are graduate students or graduating fourth-year Architectural students from the accredited architecture programs at the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, James Madison University, or Hampton University.

Candidates should have a keen interest in addressing community needs through the built environment. We value motivation, self-direction, and creativity in research abilities. 

Submission Details

Candidates are required to submit:

• Cover letter with a brief personal statement about the proposed project or focus area
• Resume
• Work samples or portfolio

While not mandatory, detailed project proposals are encouraged.

Application Deadline: March 31, 2026

Schedule: Full-Time, in-person at our office in downtown Charlottesville.

Compensation: $2,400+ for a three-week fellowship or $3,200 for a four-week program.

Dates: The fellowship runs for three to four consecutive weeks during Summer 2026. Dates are flexible to accommodate the Fellow’s academic schedule.

How to Apply

Please submit application materials to Kendall King at kking@brw-architects.com.

.

New for 2025: Qualified candidates in the architecture schools at the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, James Madison University, and Hampton University are invited to apply. 

About Us

Since 2019, brwarchitects has proudly hosted the Erwin-Ramsey Fellowship for graduate students and graduating fourth-year undergraduate Architectural students. The Fellowship’s aim is to deepen BRW’s architectural contributions to Charlottesville, where we’ve served the community for the past 40 years.

The Fellowship Experience

Every summer, one Fellow is selected for an intensive three- or four-week program. They will design a research project focused on addressing a community need for the residents of Charlottesville. The Fellow’s work concludes with a final deliverable and a public presentation, workshop, showcase, or similar capstone developed by the Fellow. 

Support & Resources

Throughout the Fellowship, brwarchitects provides resources, project support, and one-on-one mentorship. Fellows also benefit from our extensive network of professional and community relationships built over nearly four decades in Charlottesville.

Dates & Compensation

Program dates are flexible to accommodate the Fellow’s academic schedule. We offer a one-time stipend of $2,500 for a three-week program or $3,500 for four weeks. Unfortunately, housing arrangements are not provided at this time.

Qualifications

Qualified Candidates are graduate or graduating fourth-year Architectural students from the accredited architecture programs at the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, James Madison University, or Hampton University. Candidates should have a keen interest in addressing community needs through the built environment. We value motivation, self-direction, and creativity in research abilities. While not mandatory, detailed project proposals are encouraged.

Submission Details

Candidates are required to submit:

• Cover letter with a brief personal statement about the proposed project or focus area
• Resume
• Work samples or portfolio

Application Deadline: March 31, 2025, by 5:00pm.

Schedule: Full-Time, in-person at our office in downtown Charlottesville.

Compensation: $2,500+ for a three-week fellowship or $3,300 for a four-week program.

Dates: The fellowship runs for three to four weeks during Summer 2025. Dates are flexible to accommodate the Fellow’s academic schedule.

How to Apply
Please send your application materials to Candace Cabral at ccabral@brw-architects.com.

We are thrilled to announce that after three years of working with BRW, Taro Matsuno has received his professional architectural license. Since joining our firm, Taro has distinguished himself not only as a skilled professional, but a natural leader in our affordable housing studio.

Congratulations, Taro!

About Us

Since 2019, brwarchitects has proudly hosted the Erwin-Ramsey Fellowship for graduate students and graduating fourth-year Architectural students. Our aim is to deepen architectural contributions to Charlottesville, where we’ve served the local community for over 40 years.

The Fellowship Experience

Every summer, one Fellow is selected for an intensive three- or four-week program. They delve into research and develop projects focusing on architectural issues related to equity, social justice, and affordable housing. The Fellow’s work concludes with a final deliverable and a public presentation, workshop, showcase, or similar event developed by the Fellow.

Support & Resources

Throughout the Fellowship, brwarchitects provides resources, project support, and one-on-one mentorship. Fellows also benefit from our extensive network of professional and community relationships built over nearly four decades in Charlottesville.

Dates & Compensation

Program dates are flexible to accommodate the Fellow’s academic schedule. We offer a one-time stipend of $2,500 for a three-week program or $3,500 for four weeks. Unfortunately, housing arrangements are not provided.

Qualifications

Qualified Candidates are graduate or graduating fourth-year Architectural students from the accredited architecture programs at the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, or Hampton University. Candidates should have a keen interest in equity, social justice, affordable housing, or related community issues. We value motivation, self-direction, and creativity in research abilities. While not mandatory, detailed project proposals are encouraged.

Submission Details

Candidates are required to submit:

• Cover letter with a brief personal statement about the proposed project or focus area
  Resume
  Work samples or portfolio

Application Deadline: April 12, 2024

Schedule: Full-Time, in-person at our office in downtown Charlottesville.

Compensation: Starting at $2,500+ for a three-week fellowship, increasing with additional weeks.

Dates: The fellowship runs for three to four weeks during Summer 2023. Dates are flexible to accommodate the candidate’s schedule.

How to Apply
Please send your application materials to Candace Cabral at ccabral@brw-architects.com.

We are thrilled to introduce the 2023 Erwin Ramsey Fellow, Jo Blount! Jo was raised in Charlottesville and has been involved in organizing efforts focusing on tenants’ associations, anti-gentrification, and community-led redevelopment in different regions. Currently, Jo is a part-time staff member at the Public Housing Association of Residents (PHAR) while pursuing her Master’s degree at UVA.

The 2023 Fellowship will address a critical aspect of Charlottesville’s development: our city’s commitment to racial equity and affordable housing goals through the Comprehensive Plan update and Rezoning process. Jo will be developing targeted resources to enhance and bolster the community engagement infrastructure established through the Cville Plans Together (CPT) Initiative.

What impressed us about Jo’s proposal is how firmly it’s rooted in existing community movements and resources. Like our resident-led design processes in Southwood and South First Street, Jo places community members at the forefront of her project, directly addressing the needs they have expressed.