mmhh... i actually been switching firms when i realize their work, and what i would do there its more important/relevant and satisfier to me... thank god, my work is good and i have no problem always finding myself a more challenging enviroment, money is not an issue for me at least, but yeah i can tell ppl is all about the money in architecture (maybe that's why there's a lot of lame stuff around everywhere) small firms r best than large offices so far
Small firm feel in a large corp. environment for the moment. I thought this was not possible, but that is the case where I'm at now. There are 2 studio heads which oversee +/- 30 ppl with an average age of 28. The atmosphere is borderline cut-throat (reminds me of school) but you are in a way running a small practice, you are given clients/leads and expected to maintain those relationships and create new ones. If you need help, you tap into your "friends" in the studio to help you out.
I agree with MADianito (I'm assuming that means you are in/from Madrid) that at the end of the day it should not be about $$, but unfortunatelly for alot of us $ are important (for the right reasons). The problem lies where the paycheck is your only reason for working, and architecture (pumping cad) just happens to be the method.
...if you become bored you become complacent...A challenging environment is key whether you are involved in your private practice, sm firm, corp. world. anything for that matter.
Otherwise, small firm with few interesting projects that you can really contribute to. Also experimental drawing and model making exercises mixed with critiquing young architecture students and having small exhibits for those that are "in-the-know" and arent architecture groupies. Although arch groupies can be fun.
To sum it up, a firm that doesnt get stuck going through the motions and is always wanting more more more, but never sacrifices other important things in life.
a small firm with a tight team of cool and talented people... who you would enjoy hanging out with just as much as enter competitions with... but who know how to get things done, who are versatile and roleplayers, and who all have a passion for design and creative enterprise.
a multidisciplinary firm, that would delve into landscape, urban design, graphics, art installations, furniture, and public art as much as buildings.
that's the firm I'd want to work at or start myself, and I'd work for less $$...
oh the ideal firm has to have female co-workers, i dont mind if they're hot or not, i just need always a female point of view in any discussion and or creative session... only-male offices sucks....
bRink...the firm ur describing, is, as a friend of mine like to call them (kind in a peyorative way, but im cool w/the kind of office u describe)
This is actually a question that I've been asking myself as I consider my future where I'm currently at and contemplate if a move could improve things for my ambitions/goals.
A few things my experience has made me appreciate.
Working in an office with on-staff consultants and engineers. Although this more or less singles out larger firms I've found that the spaces I've designed when working hand in hand with a structural/elec/mech engineer tend to turn out infinitely better. Of course having consultants in the office aren't required for good design but I've found it to make the process easier and more rewarding in the realm of pushing the limits of design.
An office with a good mixture of staff. I like when a design team gets input from everyone from a summer intern to the 75 year old firm founder who still works part-time. Agreed that this mixture includes both genders as well as different ethnic/economic/education backgrounds.
Firms that build long term lasting client relationships. It's nice when a client calls me and can name an architect who helped them on their building back in 1976 and still remembers him/her by name and is returning to the same firm because of the excellent job both on design and with building a client relationship.
On the same note a firm should build strong relationships with their own staff. I don't like when the principals look down on the technical staff. We all work together to get the job done and most architects couldn't get much done without their support staff.
I also have found that medium to large firms fit myself personally better because they tend to have the resources to get the large projects. I've worked in firms that couldn't compete for the real break water projects because they just didn't have the staff or experience. I must say it is a thrill being the lead designer on an $80 million building and running a team of a dozen architectural support staff.
Compensation and benefits of couse cannot be forgotten. I often say I don't do this job for the money but I wouldn't be doing it if I couldn't pay the bills. A firm should pay competitively and reward their employees when times are good. I'm not a big believer in layoffs and a solid firm should have employees that work through the tougher times. If when the first down turn happens people start jumping ship one must wonder why the people were there in the first place.
Oh, and free cookies and donuts on Fridays are a plus.
I was going to create a new thread inspired by a couple of other threads (i.e. retirement thread), but here it is. A bit dusty, but still valid.
My list:
1. Potential for growth and stake in the firm
2. Some semblance of stable work
3. Ambitious but collaborative and not internally competitive
4. Schedule flexibility
5. Diverse staff (age, gender, work & academic background, etc)
6. Fair compensation and benefits (OT)
7. Alternative opportunities (Research, competitions, etc)
how bout a work environment similar to Googles at Googleplex in mountain view, CA. That would be sweeeet! But then when work wouldn’t get done and everything disappears bit by bit leaving you with an empty table and a lawn chair with a computer in a large open warehouse.
The office I currently working at has something similar but it is called
"Friday's at 4". It is supposed to be a professional development hour for everyone in the office. Ever since starting working there 5 years ago only twice was it a real lunch and learn type activity. It is mostly to "shoot the breeze" with your fellow co-workers. Booze and snacks are provided and we just congregate in the conference room.
I'll second Friday happy hour... Senior leadership down to the junior intern should be able to *booze up* or *chill out* together after a long week! :)
I didn't realize there was a terminology for that ROWE thing, although I've often thought about the same thing. It does sound a extreme, but I'm willing to bet there is a way to incorporate that in a way.
Like 20 CORE hours where everyone is in the office at the same time and the 20+ hours being flexible.
And clearly people like pets in their offices. I've known of two, and there is definitely a cool vibe with places like that.
For the employer to realize the benefits of the ROWE you really have to cut down the amount of time everyone is in the office at the same time to the point where you don't need a dedicated workspace for every employee.
agree with slartibartfast about the "dusty but valid" list. i think it would be interesting to get paid at a rate proportional to how much profit you generate instead of tenure at an office.
i love working with co-workers who are interested in helping each other out--realizing it's not about competing with each other but making the process more efficient and thus more profitable. and duh, more enjoyable.
it would be amazing to work for someone who loves architecture, is inspired and knows how to run their business.
and booze/bonding sounds nice. little gestures really do help morale.
slartibartfast - interesting to compare your comments to the list from '04 - no mention of 'stability' then, eh? trust me, i think all of us would gladly trade a few of the other qualities for more stability right now...
i've been at this just long enough now that i can honestly say i think we're building an office i truly like working at. beyond trying to actually 'get' the work, we've got a lot of the common factors above: pretty tight group of staff, pretty casual work atmosphere, pretty flexible as employers, much more results oriented than time clock punchers... (we should do happy hour more often, though we did do a king cake this week).
as we evolve, i'm desperate to expand our efforts into more 'mass market' type arenas, both for diversification but also polemic reasons. we're currently prototyping furniture with a local manufacturer - we're optimistic we can do the line as an 'on demand' process with them. meaning, we'd develop a fixed price for a period of 6 months, we put a fee on top of that, and we're working with a few places to land the pieces on display for sale. the long term goal towards is to work ourselves into a position where we can work with some larger companies so that we can revert back to more of the 'design' role. we've also secured a deal with another company to market some spec home plans we've developed (and built) to a broader audience. not sure the housing market overall is quite there yet, but it's something we'd love to do more of and we're trying to learn that game in the downtime.
what i'd ideally love right now: more 'toys' - a cnc, laser cutter, more complete shop, killer printers, etc. having to outsource to do the most basic prototypes is not good and not cheap. we're hoping the furniture can help fund that expansion. finally, i'd just love to have a little bit bigger cushion or source of money - too many ideas ready to launch that are just going to take time and money to develop.
The Ideal Studio/Firm
Describe the ideal firm. Not project(wise) but environment.
Would you work there for less $$$ ?
The only reason I would leave for less $$$ would be to go on my own. That's my only ideal firm.
mmhh... i actually been switching firms when i realize their work, and what i would do there its more important/relevant and satisfier to me... thank god, my work is good and i have no problem always finding myself a more challenging enviroment, money is not an issue for me at least, but yeah i can tell ppl is all about the money in architecture (maybe that's why there's a lot of lame stuff around everywhere) small firms r best than large offices so far
Small firm feel in a large corp. environment for the moment. I thought this was not possible, but that is the case where I'm at now. There are 2 studio heads which oversee +/- 30 ppl with an average age of 28. The atmosphere is borderline cut-throat (reminds me of school) but you are in a way running a small practice, you are given clients/leads and expected to maintain those relationships and create new ones. If you need help, you tap into your "friends" in the studio to help you out.
I agree with MADianito (I'm assuming that means you are in/from Madrid) that at the end of the day it should not be about $$, but unfortunatelly for alot of us $ are important (for the right reasons). The problem lies where the paycheck is your only reason for working, and architecture (pumping cad) just happens to be the method.
...if you become bored you become complacent...A challenging environment is key whether you are involved in your private practice, sm firm, corp. world. anything for that matter.
I guess one that you run yourself.
Otherwise, small firm with few interesting projects that you can really contribute to. Also experimental drawing and model making exercises mixed with critiquing young architecture students and having small exhibits for those that are "in-the-know" and arent architecture groupies. Although arch groupies can be fun.
To sum it up, a firm that doesnt get stuck going through the motions and is always wanting more more more, but never sacrifices other important things in life.
the ideal firm:
a small firm with a tight team of cool and talented people... who you would enjoy hanging out with just as much as enter competitions with... but who know how to get things done, who are versatile and roleplayers, and who all have a passion for design and creative enterprise.
a multidisciplinary firm, that would delve into landscape, urban design, graphics, art installations, furniture, and public art as much as buildings.
that's the firm I'd want to work at or start myself, and I'd work for less $$...
oh the ideal firm has to have female co-workers, i dont mind if they're hot or not, i just need always a female point of view in any discussion and or creative session... only-male offices sucks....
bRink...the firm ur describing, is, as a friend of mine like to call them (kind in a peyorative way, but im cool w/the kind of office u describe)
"ARTitechts"
roleplayers?
I've read that one before, but it was on another site....
WHEN INTERNS DONT HAVE TO KEEP UP THE MESSY LIBRARY
This is actually a question that I've been asking myself as I consider my future where I'm currently at and contemplate if a move could improve things for my ambitions/goals.
A few things my experience has made me appreciate.
Working in an office with on-staff consultants and engineers. Although this more or less singles out larger firms I've found that the spaces I've designed when working hand in hand with a structural/elec/mech engineer tend to turn out infinitely better. Of course having consultants in the office aren't required for good design but I've found it to make the process easier and more rewarding in the realm of pushing the limits of design.
An office with a good mixture of staff. I like when a design team gets input from everyone from a summer intern to the 75 year old firm founder who still works part-time. Agreed that this mixture includes both genders as well as different ethnic/economic/education backgrounds.
Firms that build long term lasting client relationships. It's nice when a client calls me and can name an architect who helped them on their building back in 1976 and still remembers him/her by name and is returning to the same firm because of the excellent job both on design and with building a client relationship.
On the same note a firm should build strong relationships with their own staff. I don't like when the principals look down on the technical staff. We all work together to get the job done and most architects couldn't get much done without their support staff.
I also have found that medium to large firms fit myself personally better because they tend to have the resources to get the large projects. I've worked in firms that couldn't compete for the real break water projects because they just didn't have the staff or experience. I must say it is a thrill being the lead designer on an $80 million building and running a team of a dozen architectural support staff.
Compensation and benefits of couse cannot be forgotten. I often say I don't do this job for the money but I wouldn't be doing it if I couldn't pay the bills. A firm should pay competitively and reward their employees when times are good. I'm not a big believer in layoffs and a solid firm should have employees that work through the tougher times. If when the first down turn happens people start jumping ship one must wonder why the people were there in the first place.
Oh, and free cookies and donuts on Fridays are a plus.
Bump
I was going to create a new thread inspired by a couple of other threads (i.e. retirement thread), but here it is. A bit dusty, but still valid.
My list:
1. Potential for growth and stake in the firm
2. Some semblance of stable work
3. Ambitious but collaborative and not internally competitive
4. Schedule flexibility
5. Diverse staff (age, gender, work & academic background, etc)
6. Fair compensation and benefits (OT)
7. Alternative opportunities (Research, competitions, etc)
dogs allowed
how bout a work environment similar to Googles at Googleplex in mountain view, CA. That would be sweeeet! But then when work wouldn’t get done and everything disappears bit by bit leaving you with an empty table and a lawn chair with a computer in a large open warehouse.
Friday Happy Hour.
The office I currently working at has something similar but it is called
"Friday's at 4". It is supposed to be a professional development hour for everyone in the office. Ever since starting working there 5 years ago only twice was it a real lunch and learn type activity. It is mostly to "shoot the breeze" with your fellow co-workers. Booze and snacks are provided and we just congregate in the conference room.
I'll second Friday happy hour... Senior leadership down to the junior intern should be able to *booze up* or *chill out* together after a long week! :)
How about liquid, and I don't mean booze...
dogs allowed
cats allowed
A firm that serves beer on Fridays.
I didn't realize there was a terminology for that ROWE thing, although I've often thought about the same thing. It does sound a extreme, but I'm willing to bet there is a way to incorporate that in a way.
Like 20 CORE hours where everyone is in the office at the same time and the 20+ hours being flexible.
And clearly people like pets in their offices. I've known of two, and there is definitely a cool vibe with places like that.
For the employer to realize the benefits of the ROWE you really have to cut down the amount of time everyone is in the office at the same time to the point where you don't need a dedicated workspace for every employee.
agree with slartibartfast about the "dusty but valid" list. i think it would be interesting to get paid at a rate proportional to how much profit you generate instead of tenure at an office.
i love working with co-workers who are interested in helping each other out--realizing it's not about competing with each other but making the process more efficient and thus more profitable. and duh, more enjoyable.
it would be amazing to work for someone who loves architecture, is inspired and knows how to run their business.
and booze/bonding sounds nice. little gestures really do help morale.
Right now I'd settle for a coffee machine and paper towels in the bathroom :/
slartibartfast - interesting to compare your comments to the list from '04 - no mention of 'stability' then, eh? trust me, i think all of us would gladly trade a few of the other qualities for more stability right now...
i've been at this just long enough now that i can honestly say i think we're building an office i truly like working at. beyond trying to actually 'get' the work, we've got a lot of the common factors above: pretty tight group of staff, pretty casual work atmosphere, pretty flexible as employers, much more results oriented than time clock punchers... (we should do happy hour more often, though we did do a king cake this week).
as we evolve, i'm desperate to expand our efforts into more 'mass market' type arenas, both for diversification but also polemic reasons. we're currently prototyping furniture with a local manufacturer - we're optimistic we can do the line as an 'on demand' process with them. meaning, we'd develop a fixed price for a period of 6 months, we put a fee on top of that, and we're working with a few places to land the pieces on display for sale. the long term goal towards is to work ourselves into a position where we can work with some larger companies so that we can revert back to more of the 'design' role. we've also secured a deal with another company to market some spec home plans we've developed (and built) to a broader audience. not sure the housing market overall is quite there yet, but it's something we'd love to do more of and we're trying to learn that game in the downtime.
what i'd ideally love right now: more 'toys' - a cnc, laser cutter, more complete shop, killer printers, etc. having to outsource to do the most basic prototypes is not good and not cheap. we're hoping the furniture can help fund that expansion. finally, i'd just love to have a little bit bigger cushion or source of money - too many ideas ready to launch that are just going to take time and money to develop.
Fight Club? Would be nice though I can't take a punch on the chin.
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