Established by founding principals Andrew Kotchen and Matt Berman in 1999, New York City-based firm Workshop/APD has grown into a design force whose reach far exceeds the American Northeast with completed projects also in the Rocky Mountains, South Florida, California, Europe, and the Bahamas. As a vertically integrated practice with offices in NYC, Nantucket, Greenwich, and Minneapolis, the studio now employs a diverse team of more than 100 whose background and qualifications allows them to unite a wide range of services — including architecture, interiors, product design, planning, and branding — under one roof.
For this episode of Archinect's "How To Get A Job At ____" series, we talked to members of the Workshop/APD leadership team to learn more about their hiring process, what the firm is looking for in prospective new "Workshoppers," and how the company encourages work-life balance within the office.
What positions are the highest in demand at Workshop/APD?
Our NYC office frequently looks for junior and intermediate designers to fill roles across all our architectural studios. We’re always interested in bringing on talented new designers.
When meeting with a candidate, what is the best way that they can make a positive first impression during the interview?
We appreciate when candidates come prepared, understanding the role and responsibilities outlined so they can share what they will bring to the position. We can usually tell when a candidate is genuinely interested because they are engaged and positive and come to the interview excited by the possibility of joining the firm.
What is the most common mistake that candidates make when applying to your firm?
We sometimes see applicants submitting for roles that don’t fit their experience level. We typically have open roles at different levels, so we encourage candidates to make sure they’re applying for one that matches their background closely for the best chance at getting to an interview. If a position isn’t available at their particular experience level, we also encourage them to reach out directly with their portfolio and resume so that if — and when — a position becomes available, we can continue the conversation.
As a vertically integrated firm, our architectural designers oversee interior architecture, working in collaboration with interior designers who are more focused on FF&E day-to-day.
We also see architects and hospitality designers applying for roles in our interior design studio. As a vertically integrated firm, our architectural designers oversee interior architecture, working in collaboration with interior designers who are more focused on FF&E day-to-day.
How important is an applicant's educational background?
While education is important when hiring architectural designers — at least a bachelor of architecture is required, and a master's degree is preferred for some roles — there are many positions in our office for those looking to get their feet wet in the architecture and design industry. Studio coordinators and other operational staff play a key role in supporting our teams logistically, making architecture and design happen without an extensive design background or education.
Experience and drive are as important as education, and we value an incredible portfolio and on-the-job learning tremendously.
What makes an outstanding CV and portfolio?
A good CV is organized, visually appealing, easy to read, and concise.
What kind of technical skills are essential for applicants?
We look for experience and software skills, including the use of Revit, AutoCAD, SketchUp, and 3DStudios.
Experience and drive are as important as education.
What kind of training do new hires receive during their first day on the job?
Within a day at Workshop/APD, new hires join our company-wide Monday Morning Meeting, tour the office, get their IT set up, and review HR policies. They’ll have lunch with their new studio and begin to break down the roles and responsibilities for themselves and their teammates. By week one, new Workshoppers have a grasp of our company structure, their project work, and our design tech stack.
Do you have an internship program? If so, briefly describe.
Workshop/APD offers internships — commonly in the summer months — where architecture students can gain hands-on experience in projects, drafting, sourcing, etc. Our interns become part of project teams and have professional work to show for their time. We strive to provide our interns with broad hands-on experience.
By week one, new Workshoppers have a grasp of our company structure, their project work, and our design tech stack.
Workshop/APD is headquartered in New York City with satellite offices in Nantucket, Greenwich, and Minneapolis. Do the firm's different offices frequently collaborate with each other when working on projects? What challenges are usually involved? Or does each office operate more independently?
Our offices do not run independently from each other — studios and their projects are sometimes split geographically across offices, with some members connecting remotely. For every event at our New York HQ, there is an analog at our Minneapolis office, and opportunities to participate remotely for our other outposts. We like to have a continuity of culture within Workshop/APD, so that everyone feels like they’re an important part of this firm.
How do you encourage a work-life balance for your employees? Does Workshop/APD have any fun, longtime traditions?
We have a Health and Wellness Program and initiatives that help to support employee’s overall health, including work-life balance. In addition, WAPD is committed to growing our culture internally with monthly happy hours, team outings, and internal clubs. We sail in the Architects Regatta, gather for lunch on our office roof deck, and compete annually for best team Halloween costume. Our flexible work-from-home schedule allows our staff time to balance home and work life.
We have a Health and Wellness Program and initiatives that help to support employee’s overall health, including work-life balance.
How does Workshop/APD promote diversity, equity, and inclusivity in its work culture?
In addition to professional coaching available to our employees, DEI trainings, and workshops, we have monthly WLED (Women’s Leadership, Education and Development) breakfasts and cultural events like our annual Pride party.
Based on your own observations, how has Workshop/APD's design process and office culture evolved over the years? What aspects of your practice do you want to improve?
We have experienced tremendous growth over the last few years, with new team members bringing diverse experience, talent, and vibrancy to our culture. We continue to focus on our values: People First, Creativity, Learning, Excellence, and Collaboration. We’re always honing these values, making Workshop/APD a more supportive and fun place to work.
If a job candidate had the choice between you and another firm, what argument would you use to win them over?
Workshop/APD is a vertically integrated firm, where designers have the unique opportunity to work on a project through various stages and realize holistic, creative visions for our clients. As a growing firm, our body of work continues to expand and diversify, giving designers more chances to try new verticals, disciplines, and styles within modern design.
We have a supportive, positive culture where people enjoy coming to work, as well as great benefits.
Alexander Walter grew up in East Germany with plenty of Bratwurst. He studied Architecture and Media Design at Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, Germany, and participated in foreign exchange programs with Washington-Alexandria Architecture Consortium in Alexandria, Virginia and Waseda University in ...
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