#lora d.

[bac-connex]

Budding Buddies Bonding

This past spring, I was connected with a mentor through an IIDA program. While we have struggled to find time to connect, it is an important opportunity and  I look forward to strengthening the relationship. Furthermore, I have found that my fellow students and BAC instructors also offer mini mentoring opportunities, feeding my inquisitive nature and expanding my knowledge of the interior design industry. 

One thing my fellow Allsteel externs and I mentioned a lot this week was keeping our doors open to exactly what kind of role we’re headed for post-graduation. My goal with the last two years of my BAC program is to continue to explore what those avenues look like and where I feel I would be most fulfilled.

There are many pages in a book and I don’t know yet which one I'll land on. 

[bac-connex]

A Gracious Mentor

A good mentor commits time, shares knowledge thoughtfully, and serves as both ally and cheerleader. A good mentee brings curiosity and openness, asking questions and listening closely. At Allsteel, I’ve been able to do just that—ask freely and learn from a practicing designer. Having the opportunity to openly ask questions and receive portfolio feedback at Allsteel was a huge benefit of the week.

[bac-connex]

An Exploration of Innovative Materials

Allsteel has a strong commitment to its sustainability mission (read more here) and has been voted as one of America’s most sustainable companies multiple times. I’ve enjoyed learning about this part of their mission and culture.

Featured here is the Normann Copenhagen Mat Chair designed by Danish studio Foersom & Hiort-Lorenzen. This seemingly basic chair is made of some surprising materials - hemp and eelgrass - both of which are rapidly-renewable, bio-based materials. 

This chair and more of their product line fold into their goal of circular design by focusing on products that can be recycled at the end of their useful lifecycle. Its neutral palette ensures it can move easily to second and third owners, blending seamlessly into different office environments.

[bac-connex]

It feels like America's Workplace

Growing up in Oklahoma, my intercultural opportunities were more limited than in a mosaic city like Boston. Still, they nurtured my curiosity about the world and its diverse cultures. Since then, I’ve lived and worked abroad, traveled across four continents, and learned from many perspectives different from my own. No matter our backgrounds, we are all snowflakes shaped by life’s experiences—the good and the bad. It takes time to learn about your colleagues and their unique preferences and approaches, but I enjoy these opportunities finding that I learn more about myself and how to work with others along the way.

At Allsteel, we’ve met with members of the sales, office management, and research teams. Each person brings their individuality, but together their personalities align toward shared goals and a supportive, healthy workplace.

[bac-connex]

Workplace Culture

First days can feel daunting, but at Allsteel I found warmth and enthusiasm. The culture is welcoming, supportive, and genuinely engaged—a refreshing first impression.

Because the office itself functions as a showroom, our tour and meetings with five team members offered a glimpse into product development, workplace design trends, and the balance of private and public sector contracts.

Beyond those insights, it was energizing to learn about how a thoughtfully designed office space can directly support and reflect a positive workplace culture.

[bac-connex]

I am Lora! ;)

I'm a second year Master of Interior Architecture student at Boston Architectural College, and this week I'm thrilled to join Allsteel for my externship. A longtime resident of Salem, MA, I hail from Oklahoma and come from a background in marketing and project management. My design ethos blends a love of adaptive reuse, bold human-centered design, and storytelling—and I'm excited to see how a forward-thinking company like Allsteel blends sustainability into their design process.