Ghost Residency Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifies a candidate as a “graduate architect”?
A graduate architect would be someone who holds an M.Arch or B.Arch degree (or both). Additional degrees are welcomed but one of the required two degrees is a mandatory requirement.

If I live outside of Canada, who will arrange the necessary work visa?
It is the applicant’s responsibility to apply for the appropriate work visa and related documents required to work in Canada. We can provide guidance and support material to help with the process.

What is an apprenticeship in the master builder tradition?
In the master builder tradition, the architect is both a “thought leader” and a “craft leader” in the building industry. Learning in a one-to-one exchange model, the intern will be learning about all aspects of the design process by working directly with Brian MacKay-Lyons. This represents a commitment by the firm to mentor the intern as a continuation of their professional education.

What does a typical day look like?
The intern will be working on all phases and aspects of the design process of multiple custom home and/or public projects the firm is working on. The intern will be working directly with Brian, the project architects, and other staff who work on each project. Similar to the main office, we expect that architects need to work between 40 and 50 hours a week to develop professionally. Approximately, 80% of the intern’s time will be spent on studio projects and 20% will be spent working on day to day physical farm work. Brian views architecture and agriculture as one and the same, utopian cultivating ethic. In addition to the work that the successful candidate will be involved in for the firm, the intern will also have ample opportunity to experience all that the South Shore of Nova Scotia has to offer including kayaking, surfing, and touring around Lunenburg - UNESCO World Heritage site.

Where will I be staying?
Intern accommodations are located on the Shobac campus.