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working for Meier

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LRHC

I'm just beginning the NYc job search, and was wondering if anyone has had any experience working for Richard Meier.... or heard any stories?

Thanks

 
May 24, 05 10:56 am
larslarson

i've met two people that worked for him...and interviewed
there...the office is..as you might guess...very sterile. very
quiet, white everything...doors that are unlabeled and either
lead to the elevator, bathroom, offices or conference rooms.
slightly confusing if you're there for the first time.

my friend that worked there seemed to work alot...something
like 8-10...and seemed to be challenged quite a bit on the
project management side early on. he said that it was really
rewarding though and i think he works for gehry now. i think
meier is a good conduit to quite a few firms in nyc..you'll
make a lot of good contacts if you can stand the work. at
least the detailing is challenging...

May 24, 05 11:00 am  · 
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LRHC

thanks larlarson.. responsibility and hours were definately 2 things I was wondering about.

May 24, 05 11:19 am  · 
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MickMack

i also heard that several of the higher associates (maybe principles...not sure) have been making an exit recently...

rumor has too possible answers for this...
1. the "scandal" with the Perry Street apartments in NYC

2. have heard that there is a ceiling and nobody can get higher than a certain level...which for some of the higher ups was an issue...no planning for the future of the company (if he wanted one)

not confirmed, though...just what i have heard

i too interviewed there several years ago and it is exactly as lars described.

May 24, 05 11:48 am  · 
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futureboy

i worked there a while back (97-99). it's a good office with a very rigorous approach. definitely there's a ceiling at the office, but it is also a great conduit to other offices. the people working there fall into two camps....half the office seems to work constantly (i was in this camp) especially if you're young and you work on a lot of competitions (which i did)..i spent quite a few nights sleeping on the office chairs while i had 10 machines rendering (ouch, my back still hurts)...then the other camp which would only ever seem to work 8-9 hour days...i can't figure out how they did it....anyway, i was lucky in that meier wasn't there much when i was there, so i didn't have to wear a white shirt and black pants everyday...i've heard it's regressed back into that now that he's there all the time, though.
if you get a job, then find yourself on a real project (especially a small one)..it's great. you can really get a lot of experience and a tight project under your belt with good supervision..it all just depends on the workflow in the office and luck.

May 24, 05 12:20 pm  · 
 · 
soleil

The space could be described as sterile and library-like but another way to say that is clean, orderly and conducive to concentration (lots of light and high ceilings too). The office has a lot of work right now and hours aren't as bad you might initially think though depending on the project you're on and what stage its in you'll pull your share of overtime (isn't that the truth in every office?) There is a real rigor to the way drawings are put together making it a great place for someone straight out of school or any OCD-prone individuals. The material palette, as you may have guessed, is predictable so if you're looking to experiement, its probably not the place for you. There is truth to the 'ceiling' as well - but thats really only affects seniormost architects - a lot depends on experience within the office - not just experience in general.

additionally, the people that work there are incredible - very real, down to earth OUTSIDE of the office - in the office however, the first impression you'll have is that they're all strictly business and unapproachable - don't let that first impression fool you...

May 24, 05 2:22 pm  · 
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Suture

Do you like white?

May 24, 05 2:37 pm  · 
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liberty bell

Meier requires everyone to wear white shirt/black pants? Because he wants the office to look as if it is staffed by waiters???

I never, ever wear the above clothing combinaton, for the above reason.

May 24, 05 2:42 pm  · 
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ether

<- wears black shirt and white pants (and when i'm feeling especially funky, i'll wear black shoes and a white hat)

May 24, 05 2:56 pm  · 
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trigirl

as urban legend has it:
1. meier has a personal assistant follow him around the office - in meetings, lunches, the bathroom, etc.
2. meier sketches something, anything - on trace, napkins, whatever
3. assistant collects the sketch
4. assistant documents and archives sketch
is this true?

May 24, 05 11:48 pm  · 
 · 
futureboy

actually he only sketches with a lightbox and a rendering underneath the sheet he is sketching on..big fat greasy pencil.
definitely, as for the sketching, don't believe the hype.
he also collects all of the debris from the model shop every month or so to cast in metal to sell and sell to wealthy "art" collectors

May 25, 05 9:23 am  · 
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Toby

The joke is: if you are female do not get in the elevator with Meier. The same follows for the Christmas party.

May 25, 05 9:24 am  · 
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soleil

ugh, thats not a joke - thats the truth...

May 25, 05 1:42 pm  · 
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Toby

Soleil: as someone who worked at that office, is the free overtime=obtained knowledge? Left aside the great group of people, the nice projects: is it worth it?

May 25, 05 4:59 pm  · 
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soleil

There are a lot of different factors but if you're asking from the perspective of someone relatively fresh out of school - as far as overtime goes - thats hard to say if its = to knowledge obtained...it depends on what you're working on. If you're in the modelshop - no. If you're drawing - for the most part, yes. If you're rendering - its a toss-up...

In my opinion, you can't divorce the people you work with and great projects from your wholistic opinion/experience of an office. I guess what I'm saying is there is no way I could love my job if my supervisor was an idiot and I spent my days detailing a mansard roof and all the horrors that might be associated with it. For me, its worth it - for a couple (or 3-4) years anyway...after that I'll have to go to a place where the salary is better than 'livable'...

May 25, 05 9:14 pm  · 
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clerestory strip™

"The joke is: if you are female do not get in the elevator with Meier. The same follows for the Christmas party."

...I'm dying to know, why not? Lol....

I 'd like to know if any of you could tell me what kind of boss RM is? Is he nitpicking and hard to please, or is he a really nice guy to work for? I understand that he is not in his office often, but when he is, do you dread seeing him come through the door or are you happy he's there?

I actually met RM in December of 2006 at a lecture/book signing, and I was so nervous I had a hard time talking to him. I had written to him in October and he actually did write me back, which surprised and pleased me very much.

Jun 13, 07 6:11 pm  · 
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vado retro

all bosses are nitpicky and they should be. this guy seems anal with a capital ANAL.

Jun 13, 07 6:21 pm  · 
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redchairs

I can't wait to show him this page - he'll love it!

Jun 13, 07 6:26 pm  · 
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mdler

I heard that Calvin Klein fired one of his staff members because she recieved red roses at the office...apparently black and white are the only colors permitted

Jun 13, 07 6:52 pm  · 
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redchairs

You're both funny.....no, there is no dress code in the office. Believe me, there are so many rumors out there, I hate to put a damper on everyone's fun! And believe it or not (I can't believe people think we are just a one-trick pony)....we do employ color in our work!

Jun 13, 07 6:52 pm  · 
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mdler
Jun 13, 07 7:09 pm  · 
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snooker

I love an Architecture Firm of Color....

Jun 13, 07 8:55 pm  · 
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snooker

white on white
black on black
gray on gray
green glass
yup I love color

Jun 13, 07 8:58 pm  · 
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clerestory strip™

I wonder if any of the celebrity architects ever read these postings?

Jun 14, 07 12:26 am  · 
 · 
Sean!

i see him in the elevator all the time... seems like a nice guy...he's always talking with someone which annoys me because i cant wait to strike-up a conversation with him

Jun 14, 07 12:20 pm  · 
 · 
clerestory strip™

Wow, Sean, you are so lucky! RM was very kind to my brother and I when we took a trip to NYC to see his lecture, so if you get the chance, by all means say hi to him sometime. If only I had a second chance to make a first impression...I was so nervous when I went to have my book signed at his lecture, my hands were shaking (and that NEVER happens to me), and that embarrased me a great deal...aagh!!! Not to mention, when my brother tried to get a picture of me with RM, we couldn't get the new camera to work properly, and he was pretty good humoured during the whole ordeal, although he seemed to be in a rush to go somewhere.

Jun 14, 07 2:31 pm  · 
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snooker

oh....yes travertine.....thinking mybe my coffee table is a mieir's reject. Black steel tube base , slab of tavertine top.

Jun 14, 07 2:39 pm  · 
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redchairs

Go ahead an introduce yourself, Sean! He's not going to bite!

Jun 14, 07 2:45 pm  · 
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Living in Gin

Is his office hiring right now? I'll probably be sending a resume in that general direction.

Jun 14, 07 2:46 pm  · 
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redchairs

We are hiring in Los Angeles!

Jun 14, 07 2:49 pm  · 
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Living in Gin

That's about 2200 miles in the wrong direction from Chicago.

Jun 14, 07 2:49 pm  · 
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redchairs

Well, sorry, we don't have an office in Chicago either....

Jun 14, 07 2:59 pm  · 
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Living in Gin

I'm moving to NYC in two weeks.

Jun 14, 07 3:31 pm  · 
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vado retro

the aia site has about four hundred ny jobs posted. as well as archinect's new york job hookup. do not apply unless highly qualified.

Jun 14, 07 3:57 pm  · 
 · 
oshit

if i recall correctly during my visit there a couple years ago, ppl were not dressed white on black. they were dressed like anyone else would dress, you kooks.

Jun 14, 07 3:58 pm  · 
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vado retro

i remember reading about some designer who wore only those janitor coveralls. he had a different color for each day.

Jun 14, 07 4:00 pm  · 
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Living in Gin

Mandatory dress code in New York firms:

Jun 14, 07 4:06 pm  · 
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snooker

I would have figured mier's office would be clothes optional....you know get down to the true essense of humanism.

Jun 14, 07 5:13 pm  · 
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clerestory strip™

Do you have to be there for an interview or part of a tour group to get a tour of Meier's office? My brother and I wanted to get a look around the office while we were in NYC last year, but his assistant told me she couldn't arrange that for just two people. :(

Jun 18, 07 2:25 pm  · 
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romanpanther

The office seems to be locked down. In lieu of an office visit, you might want to try visiting his recently opened graveyard of models (now called a gallery) in Long Island City. There was a NY Times article about it a month or two ago. I believe appointments can be made through the office.

Jun 19, 07 11:38 pm  · 
 · 
clerestory strip™

Thanks Romanpanther-I intend to check it out whenever I get a chance to go back to NYC (Hopefully the end of this year)
Do you know why his office is on lock down?

Jun 20, 07 12:43 am  · 
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Sean!

i went to the impromptu model gallery a couple of weeks ago..it was mediocre, but they had a really great model of the getty center @ 1/8 scale. very cool it's worth checking out.

Jun 21, 07 11:09 pm  · 
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meowmeow

I interviewed with Meier and didn't even get a tour of the office. My friend also interviewed there and was told that Richard Meier doesn't like strangers, so they only show people the office when he isn't there. They have some nice white models in the reception area though...

Jun 22, 07 10:47 am  · 
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redchairs

"...Richard Meier doesn't like strangers...."
"...didn't even get a tour of the office..."

Where do you people come up with this stuff?!?!?

Jun 22, 07 12:38 pm  · 
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clerestory strip™

The assistant told me they would only give a tour after hours, and they'd have a junior architect there to lead the tour.
That is, if I were with a tour group.
He doesn't like strangers? Awwww....
That's the first time I've heard that! He seemed to enjoy meeting folks at the book signing I attended, but maybe he doesn't enjoy having people coming through his office while he's there in his "natural habitat".
I know I don't enjoy having groups of folks looking over my shoulder while I'm working (I work in a record manufaturing plant in the label design department) and it annoys me a little to have people leering at me while I'm at my computer.
I can kind of understand that...

Jun 22, 07 1:30 pm  · 
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vado retro

well its a business not a freakin museum. why should they give tours to numbnut students and freaks?

Jun 22, 07 1:38 pm  · 
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redchairs

Vado Retro - THANK YOU FOR STATING MY THOUGHTS EXACTLY!

Jun 22, 07 3:34 pm  · 
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clerestory strip™

Oooh, he just called me a numbnut freak! (Just kidding) :)

In defence of the numbnut (or numbovary) students and freaks (ducking)...maybe they'd like to take a look around to see how things work in a real office environment. I know I was encouraged to tour architects' offices in high school and even today, talking to people in the business is recommended to people who are looking for a job in the industry. But, I do agree that because it is a workplace, having groups of people coming by all the time would be irritating. I suppose that's why RM gives tours after hours-and I suppose he doesn't want to be bothered with people interrogating him and asking for autographs while he's trying to work, so the tours are done when he's not in.
It makes sense.

Jun 22, 07 8:29 pm  · 
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holz.box

of course "white dick" is jovial at book signings - some sap just forked over $50 bucks for a recycled book.

whereas students (a.k.a. "strangers") are nothing but money grubbing freeloaders.

Jun 22, 07 8:37 pm  · 
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clerestory strip™

Damn, I guess I'm a money grubbin' freeloadin' sap then...

But... I love his work so...(sob)...how could he...(sniff) be so cruel? (sob)

Jun 22, 07 9:00 pm  · 
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soleil

...having tour groups come through the office is distracting - honestly
whether they're students or prospective clients - you feel like you're working in a fish bowl. Plus, every so often there is some television crew that sets up for the afternoon and all the phones are quieted, odd lights are shining every which way and whatnot. The office tries to keep that sort of thing to a minimum so tours for student groups are given after hours (as in - they typ. start around 6-6.30). To my knowledge, school tours aren't really scheduled around RM's schedule - its just that when scheduling the tours, people invariably ask whether they'll get to meet him and thats just not something that can realistically be promised.

As far as RM being around on a day-to-day basis - - -- he's in the new york office every day unless he's travelling - usually staying well into the evening.

And the model gallery in Long Island City - - -- before it opened it was just a model storage space (for quite a long time, actually) but it seemed a waste to not allow people to see it as its contents are impressive - especially as a large part of a body of work. The space may be mediocre, but there's no charge to get in and you're not there to look at the warehouse space anyway, right? You're there to check out the models...

Jun 25, 07 2:18 pm  · 
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