I need help with something. I am 29 and have a Masters degree from USC. I have been practicing architecture for 7 years in Los Angeles- (4.5 since graduating graduate school) my real professional work, the 4.5 years has all been in custom residential. I am on track to become project manager.
I was offered a new position at a diversified firm which specializes in different types of commercial with the occasional residence. I would also be on track to become PM there also, but would need some time to adjust and learn commercial design.
My question is: Since I am young in my career, is it best to take a new job that will diversify my skills in architecture or stay with a specialized firm I've been with and remain in residential?
Hmm, I honestly don't know. I love residential architecture. You can get really personal with it, but I have nothing to compare it to and feel like trying out commercial could open new doors for me in the future. I guess I'm just nervous about leaving a good firm for the unknown and wanted some feedback from anyone else who has done this. I also know that if I don't like it I can always go back to residential, maybe even with my same firm.
If you're happy and fulfilled where you are, see a future there, and don't think there will be a lack of work that may leave you unemployed (and unemployable), I would stay. A bird in the hand and all that...
I can share my son's experience, went residential almost 10 years ago, wants to change now but can’t get a serious commercial firm to even look at his stuff, many don’t consider residential as architecture in the sense that they think they would have to train him from scratch. Might be smart to take the opportunity before it’s too late, like Sneaky says, you can always shift back.
A number of residential architects have gone on to do fabulous commercial/institutional work. I can't think of any commercial architects that successfully moved in the other direction.
my understanding has always been that commercial pays better and is more stable. Don't know that for certain but I do believe that the only way to get a significant raise is to leave. If you are happy where you are then ask for the top end of what you think you are worth
I don't know what you should do, but given your description, it sounds like you probably have a good relationship with your current boss. In that situation, I would talk to them, letting them know that I want to pursue/investigate the wider range of architecture by going to work for the other company...and make sure that they know that it is not because of any dissatisfaction with them, but that I want to grow and explore professionally.
Hopefully, what will happen is that they will wish me the best of luck, and give great references...if so, I won't forget to keep in touch regularly--even if just socially. (If I went to lunch with co-workers on occasion, I'd keep it up-but maybe less often). This approach, hopefully, keeps any doors open. Even if the current boss fills the position and you decide you want to return, if something else opens up, it'll most likely be yours.---This is similar to what I did do, but after 3 yrs away, I went out on my own. The firm that I left on good terms, occasionally sends work in my direction (when they get busy, but not enough to afford another person on the payroll full-time).
If, for some reason, they feel hurt/get angry and I was unable to reassure them, then maybe my relationship wasn't that good after all.
1. The codes are different. IBC instead of the IRC. ADA, ABA and FHA become very important. There are not only ramps but clear floor areas and multiple fixture heights.
2. Building systems. Concrete, steel etc.
3. Other required drawings. Life safety code footprint, reflected ceiling plan, drawings for sight lines(auditoriums) etc.
5. Zoning requirements are more complicated. Parking for instance can be a real challenge.
4. Less design design work, way more collaboration.
5. Your CEQA requirements and Title 24 are going to become more of a challenge. The AWJs have multiple and overlapping jurisdictions.
6. Fire walls at different conditions.
7. Possibility of more federal involvement. US army corps of engineers, FAA etc.
There are many others, those are just a few of them.
It is your decision of course. I would only add that in my situation it was a lot more difficult to go from residential to other building types than to move between other building types(schools to medical for example) not because of the difficulty of the work but because the opportunity to do so is so rare.
In non-residential work there is a line between the technical side and the design side that can not be crossed unless you have extraordinary persistence and luck.
If you are looking to be a complete Architect and you are skilled as a designer than you might consider doing the technical side. You will be better for it, but the down side is you will be doing a lot of drudge work.
If you are skilled on the technical side and want to be a complete Architect then you might go on the design side. You will be better for it, but the down side is you will really not know how a building goes together.
I can not over-emphasize the importance of this decision. It is in almost all cases final, so consider it carefully as it will map your career more than anything you will do.
For me, I prefer commercial clients. With residential, it is such a personal thing to them that those type of clients tend to be frustrated designers where you loose a lot of control over the design decisions and some of their ideas aren't good ones.
With commercial, there are more of those 'I want this image' clientele with budgets to support it where the client is hands-off enough to let you do your thing. Add to it that the contractors are typically much higher quality and professional more than happy to ask you for clarification versus 'winging it' I find in residential or grabbing the owners ear and making design/material changes during construction.
I think this taking of sides is usually one sided, unless you put the constraint upon yourself. I usually see the people skilled technically willing to accept design people into their club because it makes their job easier. Whereas it seems like people who are skilled design-wise are reluctant to let the technical people in their club because it means more competition (or more work/effort because now someone starts to question constructability and technical feasibility of their designs).
Additionally, I've seen people of both sides pigeon hole themselves because they don't think they can do or understand the other side's work.
there is a main difference between custom residential, and everything else; you are working for the people that will live there, whereas in everything else you're working for somebody looking only to make money out of it, or "add value" if you are a bs believer.
Feb 27, 15 10:26 am ·
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Residential vs commercial (diversified) architecture
Hello,
I need help with something. I am 29 and have a Masters degree from USC. I have been practicing architecture for 7 years in Los Angeles- (4.5 since graduating graduate school) my real professional work, the 4.5 years has all been in custom residential. I am on track to become project manager.
I was offered a new position at a diversified firm which specializes in different types of commercial with the occasional residence. I would also be on track to become PM there also, but would need some time to adjust and learn commercial design.
My question is: Since I am young in my career, is it best to take a new job that will diversify my skills in architecture or stay with a specialized firm I've been with and remain in residential?
What are some experiences in both?
You can be successful going either way. What do YOU want to do?
Hmm, I honestly don't know. I love residential architecture. You can get really personal with it, but I have nothing to compare it to and feel like trying out commercial could open new doors for me in the future. I guess I'm just nervous about leaving a good firm for the unknown and wanted some feedback from anyone else who has done this. I also know that if I don't like it I can always go back to residential, maybe even with my same firm.
If you're happy and fulfilled where you are, see a future there, and don't think there will be a lack of work that may leave you unemployed (and unemployable), I would stay. A bird in the hand and all that...
I can share my son's experience, went residential almost 10 years ago, wants to change now but can’t get a serious commercial firm to even look at his stuff, many don’t consider residential as architecture in the sense that they think they would have to train him from scratch. Might be smart to take the opportunity before it’s too late, like Sneaky says, you can always shift back.
A number of residential architects have gone on to do fabulous commercial/institutional work. I can't think of any commercial architects that successfully moved in the other direction.
diversify...see what else it out there.
I would advise discretion when posting something like this.
my understanding has always been that commercial pays better and is more stable. Don't know that for certain but I do believe that the only way to get a significant raise is to leave. If you are happy where you are then ask for the top end of what you think you are worth
I don't know what you should do, but given your description, it sounds like you probably have a good relationship with your current boss. In that situation, I would talk to them, letting them know that I want to pursue/investigate the wider range of architecture by going to work for the other company...and make sure that they know that it is not because of any dissatisfaction with them, but that I want to grow and explore professionally.
Hopefully, what will happen is that they will wish me the best of luck, and give great references...if so, I won't forget to keep in touch regularly--even if just socially. (If I went to lunch with co-workers on occasion, I'd keep it up-but maybe less often). This approach, hopefully, keeps any doors open. Even if the current boss fills the position and you decide you want to return, if something else opens up, it'll most likely be yours.---This is similar to what I did do, but after 3 yrs away, I went out on my own. The firm that I left on good terms, occasionally sends work in my direction (when they get busy, but not enough to afford another person on the payroll full-time).
If, for some reason, they feel hurt/get angry and I was unable to reassure them, then maybe my relationship wasn't that good after all.
I went from residential to other building types.
It is not better but it is different.
A few of the differences:
1. The codes are different. IBC instead of the IRC. ADA, ABA and FHA become very important. There are not only ramps but clear floor areas and multiple fixture heights.
2. Building systems. Concrete, steel etc.
3. Other required drawings. Life safety code footprint, reflected ceiling plan, drawings for sight lines(auditoriums) etc.
5. Zoning requirements are more complicated. Parking for instance can be a real challenge.
4. Less design design work, way more collaboration.
5. Your CEQA requirements and Title 24 are going to become more of a challenge. The AWJs have multiple and overlapping jurisdictions.
6. Fire walls at different conditions.
7. Possibility of more federal involvement. US army corps of engineers, FAA etc.
There are many others, those are just a few of them.
It is your decision of course. I would only add that in my situation it was a lot more difficult to go from residential to other building types than to move between other building types(schools to medical for example) not because of the difficulty of the work but because the opportunity to do so is so rare.
I forgot one very important thing.
In non-residential work there is a line between the technical side and the design side that can not be crossed unless you have extraordinary persistence and luck.
If you are looking to be a complete Architect and you are skilled as a designer than you might consider doing the technical side. You will be better for it, but the down side is you will be doing a lot of drudge work.
If you are skilled on the technical side and want to be a complete Architect then you might go on the design side. You will be better for it, but the down side is you will really not know how a building goes together.
I can not over-emphasize the importance of this decision. It is in almost all cases final, so consider it carefully as it will map your career more than anything you will do.
design side vs technical - true at the large corp. firms, less true in smaller firms that don't have the luxury of keeping specialists
im guessing that since the prospective firm also does some houses its not that big of a place
Have you taken the ARE? Experience in commercial architecture will help you pass it, something to think about.
For me, I prefer commercial clients. With residential, it is such a personal thing to them that those type of clients tend to be frustrated designers where you loose a lot of control over the design decisions and some of their ideas aren't good ones.
With commercial, there are more of those 'I want this image' clientele with budgets to support it where the client is hands-off enough to let you do your thing. Add to it that the contractors are typically much higher quality and professional more than happy to ask you for clarification versus 'winging it' I find in residential or grabbing the owners ear and making design/material changes during construction.
I think this taking of sides is usually one sided, unless you put the constraint upon yourself. I usually see the people skilled technically willing to accept design people into their club because it makes their job easier. Whereas it seems like people who are skilled design-wise are reluctant to let the technical people in their club because it means more competition (or more work/effort because now someone starts to question constructability and technical feasibility of their designs).
Additionally, I've seen people of both sides pigeon hole themselves because they don't think they can do or understand the other side's work.
there is a main difference between custom residential, and everything else; you are working for the people that will live there, whereas in everything else you're working for somebody looking only to make money out of it, or "add value" if you are a bs believer.
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