Based in Culver City in Southern California, Ehrlich Yanai Rhee Chaney Architects has a decades-long portfolio of projects that integrates California modernist style with multicultural and vernacular design elements, reflecting a core design philosophy that founding partner Steven Ehrlich developed while working and traveling in Africa during the 1970s. Now with four leading partners, EYRC Architects is continuing their legacy as a prominent architecture firm whose practice is based on a “profound respect for people and place” in everything they do, from designing to hiring. Partner Patricia Rhee and hiring associate-in-charge Ashley Richardson took a moment with Archinect to share what EYRC looks for in their potential new hires.

1. What positions are most in-demand at your firm? 
We have a great internship program at EYRC Architects; we are always looking for students and recent graduates who are interested in working with us for a 6-month position. This is a great opportunity for students to gain real world experience and for EYRC to learn from young talent. We are currently looking for licensed Architects with 7-10 years of experience to join our diverse team.

2. What are the three most important qualities for any new hire to have at your firm? Enthusiasm, good communication skills, and a desire to collaborate. And a good design sense, of course!

3. What is the best thing about working for your firm? 
The firm culture at EYRC Architects is really special. We take our design work seriously but have a lot of fun. We host summer BBQs in our studio courtyard, organize frequent firm tours of local projects, and enjoy a relaxed atmosphere in line with the LA lifestyle. The partners provide support for growth and leadership in a familial work environment.

4. What is the most challenging thing about working for your firm? 
We value design excellence and this can sometimes bring long hours along with it. However, we do try to achieve a good life/work balance.

5. What are some “red flags” for you in applications? 
Very short periods of previous employment can be a cause for concern. We use Revit for preparing working drawings so not having working knowledge of this program can be a negative, but it's not required.

6. After reviewing their CV, what are you looking to learn about an applicant from an interview? 
We are looking for a good cultural fit for the office; personality goes a long way! We also like to hear more about the candidates' role in the projects they have worked on, and how much direction they might need. We like people who are self-motivated and positive, with a great design sensibility.

7. What’s the most common mistake candidates make when applying to work with you?
Not sending a design portfolio and not proof-reading their email/cover letter/resume!

8. What kind of technical skills are absolutely essential for applicants?
Our firm has been utilizing Revit for over 10 years, so good working knowledge of Revit is ideal. We also value versatile knowledge of other rendering tools such as Rhinoceros and V- Ray, as well as Adobe Suite for presentation work. Physical model-making is another proud EYRC tradition and design tool, so a strong sense of craft is a plus.

9. What kind of training do new hires undergo when they’re first starting? 
We work in teams at our office. Everyone collaborates to make sure new hires are included, acclimated, and jumping in with both feet on their first day; from having lunch with their peers, to orientation with our admin team, software and station review with our in-house IT guru, or reviewing drawing sets with their supervisors. We believe in learning by doing!

10. Do you have an internship program? If so, briefly describe.
Yes, we have an internship program. We look for students or recent graduates to join our team for 6 months, although the summer internship program can be 4 months. We ask for a 40-hour per week time commitment. Work opportunities might include: utilizing Revit on a project, constructing study and presentation models, assistance with the design development of a project, preparing presentation drawings for publication and/or awards programs and supporting the day-to- day architectural office tasks.

11. What are three words that your employees might use to describe your firm?
​Creative, fun, diverse 

12. Which areas of your firm are growing the fastest?
We’ve always had a mix of project types occurring at any given time in the office. Our broad portfolio has helped us weather through the inevitable economic cycles and we like how different project types can inform each other. It never gets boring!

Listen to Steven Ehrlich and Takashi Yanai discuss what they look for in new hires, part of our conversation in Archinect Sessions episode 12...

Interested in joining Ehrlich Yanai Rhee Chaney Architects? Check out their Archinect profile to see if they have any current listings. To see more active listings from hundreds of firms, browse Archinect's Job Board.