Petro Vladimirov on His Internship at Henning Larsen

Ola Skorupa

16 of September '26

Fundamenty Podcast #71

Pedro Vladimirov —"
" podcast #71 from the "Fundamentals" series

This episode and the entire series are also available on SoundCloud and Spotify:

Petro Vladimirov is a graduate of the Faculty of Architecture at the Wrocław University of Technology. He earned his engineering degree in January 2019, and a few months later began a post-graduate internship at Henning Larsen Architects in Copenhagen. His decision to choose this firm stemmed from previous experiences gained during an Erasmus exchange in Sweden. In the “Fundamenty” podcast, he talks about the recruitment process, working on international projects, architectural competitions, and why an internship after completing a bachelor’s degree can help you better plan your further education.

From Erasmus to Copenhagen

The story of Petro Vladimirov’s internship in Copenhagen began while he was still a student. During the winter semester of 2017, he participated in an Erasmus exchange program at Malmö University in Sweden. Copenhagen’s proximity made it a natural destination for trips. Malmö and Copenhagen are connected by a bridge over the Öresund, making the journey between the cities take less than an hour.

One of the first reasons for visiting Copenhagen was the open house at the COBE architecture firm. After the tour, Petro also had the opportunity to see the inside of Henning Larsen Architects, where a friend of his worked. The two experiences were quite different from one another. At COBE, the tour was a group event and part of an organized program. At Henning Larsen, it took place on an individual basis and in a more relaxed atmosphere. It was this second visit that made Petro start thinking about returning to Copenhagen as an intern. Initially, he planned to apply to COBE, but after a few years, Henning Larsen became his first choice.

Recruitment at an International Firm

The recruitment process at Henning Larsen followed the typical procedure for international architecture firms. Applications are submitted through the company’s website, along with a resume, portfolio, and—if required—a cover letter. According to Petro, the cover letter should not be treated as an insignificant part of the application. It’s an opportunity to reflect on one’s own skills, interests, and what the candidate would like to learn during the internship.

After about two to three weeks, he received an invitation to an interview. The entire process took place remotely, and the interview was conducted by one of the firm’s partners via Skype. The meeting included a portfolio presentation and a discussion of projects, but the interaction with the candidate itself was also important.

In the case of a large international firm with hundreds of employees, it’s not just technical preparation that matters, but also the ability to function as part of a team.

Different departments, different opportunities

Henning Larsen is a firm that includes teams specializing in architecture and urban planning, landscape architecture, and sustainable development, among others. As Petro emphasizes, a student in the School of Architecture can also complete an internship in departments other than those typically associated with architecture.

Therefore, even at the application stage, it’s worth considering the direction in which you want to develop and which areas of architecture interest you most. The opportunity to join a specific team depends, among other things, on your skills, knowledge of computer software, and prior experience.

Petro himself began his internship in the architecture department. However, the scope of his responsibilities was not predetermined. It depended on the scale of the project, its stage, and the size of the team. The flexibility of tasks was part of the work culture for interns.

Learning to Work on Large Projects

The internship at Henning Larsen was not limited to learning architectural design. An important element was gaining an understanding of teamwork on large, interdisciplinary projects, methods of presenting designs, and how an architectural firm operates as part of the market.

An intern works with the entire design team, which may include partners responsible for the project, the lead designer, and architects. Petro also highlights the opportunity to participate in numerous meetings—both internal and external, including those with clients and consultants.

This allows someone just starting their professional career to gain insight into various aspects of the design process. If they have any questions, they can turn to team members, and the HR department provides additional support, including assistance with matters related to settling into life in Copenhagen, such as finding an apartment or handling banking issues.

Master Plan for the Imperial Shipyard

The first project Petro had the opportunity to work on was the master plan for the Imperial Shipyard in Gdańsk. Given his experience in urban planning, he began with this task.

The project was in the post-competition phase. One of the main challenges was adapting the master plan to changes introduced by the client, preservation guidelines, and Polish building codes. A significant part of the work, therefore, involved collaboration between the team of architects, the client, and the historic preservation officer.

Among other things, Petro participated in design workshops with the client and subsequently developed the resulting changes. He also worked on massing modeling using scale models, plans, and 3D simulations.

A Competition as an Intensive Lesson in Design

Another experience was a project completely different in terms of scale, function, and location. Petro was involved in an international competition for Cockle Bay Park in Sydney. The task involved designing a waterfront complex in the Central Business District. In addition to Henning Larsen, five other teams from around the world participated in the competition.

Among other things, the project involved integrating public spaces with the waterfront landscape. Work on the competition was very intense. In the period leading up to the project’s submission, there was often overtime and work on weekends. As Petro notes, however, this is not the norm in the firm’s day-to-day operations in Denmark.

Participating in the competition proved to be a particularly intensive learning experience for him. Tasks arose quickly and required an equally swift response. At the same time, an intern involved in the project from the start can participate in discussions and help shape its concept by proposing his own solutions.

If one joins a project at a later stage, the scope of tasks may differ and focus on refining the project’s details and developing its graphic design. In Petro’s case, his participation in the competition culminated in the team’s success—the Cockle Bay Park project was selected as the winner. Petro is currently also working on a master plan project in the Middle East. However, due to its confidential nature, he cannot disclose any details.

A Day at Work in Copenhagen

A standard workday at Henning Larsen lasts eight hours, but start and end times are flexible. Employees can also arrange their own breaks.

One of the key elements of the daily routine is a group lunch in the company cafeteria. The office also runs a Lunch&Learn program. At least once a week during lunch, there are lectures lasting about half an hour led by representatives of external companies, lecturers from Copenhagen universities, and office employees specializing in specific fields.

These activities are part of Henning Larsen’s broader educational program and allow employees to expand their knowledge beyond the immediate scope of their own responsibilities.

An Internship as a Step Toward Further Education

For Petro Vladimirov, an internship after completing his bachelor’s degree was not only a way to gain his first professional experience. It also became an opportunity to reassess his interests and better define the direction of his further education.

As she emphasizes, theory should go hand in hand with practice. Exposure to the professional world even before earning a master’s degree allows one to better assess the direction in which one wants to develop and what is worth focusing on during the next stage of studies.

His time at Henning Larsen not only provided him with knowledge and new skills but also with contacts and relationships with people working in an international environment.

After completing his internship, Petro’s next step will be to begin his master’s program. The experience he gained in Copenhagen has already allowed him to determine what he wants to focus on upon returning to school.

His story shows that an internship after completing a bachelor’s degree can be more than just the start of a professional career. It can also be a way to explore one’s interests, learn about the realities of an architect’s work, and make informed plans for one’s future educational path.