Following last week’s visit to New York-based ODA Architecture, this week’s edition of our Meet Your Next Employer series remains partly in NYC where we meet Morris Adjmi Architects (MA).

Established in New York City in 1997 by Morris Adjmi following his 13-year-long collaboration with Aldo Rossi, MA has since expanded from its NYC base to open a second office in New Orleans.  

The firm describes itself as a “leader in the revitalization of post-industrial neighborhoods and historic districts,” exemplified by a broad portfolio spanning a renovated brick warehouse in Tribeca to a contemporary glass tower built on an existing art deco building along the High Line.

The firm now seeks to expand by advertising for several roles in NYC and New Orleans on the Archinect Job board. For candidates interested in applying for a role, or anybody interested in learning more about life as an architect, we spoke with the team at MA for a behind-the-scenes look at their studio.

How did Morris Adjmi get started?

Morris Adjmi, FAIA established Morris Adjmi Architects (MA) in 1997 following a 13-year collaboration with Pritzker Prize-winning architect Aldo Rossi. On that strong foundation, Morris built a multidisciplinary design practice dedicated to interpreting the historic forces that shape cities to create buildings and environments that are both contextual and contemporary. While continuing to be inspired by history and tradition, today, MA is recognized for its creative use of new materials and technologies, sophisticated, sustainable designs, and thoughtful engagement with the arts.

How big is your team?

MA has a total of 93 staff members between New York City and New Orleans. We currently have 7 interns in the studios from Syracuse, Cincinnati, and Tulane universities. Our team is split into studios, each about 20 people. This gives you the best of both worlds–the resources of a larger office but the sense of community that a smaller studio offers.

Are your offices open plan or subdivided?

Both of our offices have open floor plans to encourage collaboration. It is important for staff to be able to see and easily access one another during the design process.

Describe the areas your offices are located in.

Our New York studio is in NYC’s bustling Financial District and our New Orleans studio is in the picturesque Lower Garden District.

Do your New York and New Orleans offices collaborate often or mostly work independently?

All of MA’s studios collaborate often. Project teams across both offices meet regularly in person and through Teams. We also get together often for social and educational programming. The firm has a distinctive work/play culture founded upon our collective passion for community building, both in and out of the office.

Is there much overlap between your architecture and interiors teams?

MA looks at projects holistically from a multidisciplinary perspective. Our architectural design, interior design, and art services departments collaborate to bring our clients’ comprehensive visions to life.

What is your favorite thing about working in New York and New Orleans?

NYC and NOLA both have a rich history and strong architectural and urban traditions – even when we work in other cities across the US, we often come back and reference that history and context in our own backyard. We especially love shaping the evolution of their historic districts and postindustrial neighborhoods. Some architects feel restricted by the protective regulations in these areas, but for MA – this is our bread and butter—we love the challenge of balancing historic and contemporary concepts.

If you could collaborate with one famous architect from another era, who would it be and why?

We are lucky to have lived this reality. What Morris learned alongside Aldo Rossi during his 13-year collaboration greatly influenced the way MA has approached each project over the past 25 years. We recently designed a museum exhibition paying homage to Aldo’s interdisciplinary design achievements, which is now on display at the Museo del Novecento in Milan through October 2, 2022. It was a great honor and privilege.

Where is the most popular lunch spot in or around the office?

In NYC, it’s our communal kitchen. Three days each week, MA caters family-style lunch for the staff. Our staff uses this time to chat and do the New York Times crossword together. In NOLA, the team frequents our outdoor terrace or nearby Resurrection Garden for a change of scenery. Both offices are also surrounded by a mix of wonderful places to grab a bite or a coffee.

What is the most popular design tool in the office?

A combination of high-tech and low-tech tools are always popular. Pushing the envelope with Enscape VR walkthroughs, but then also being able to pin things up on the wall, sketch with trace paper, and have a conversation about design.

Tell us about a completed project you are proud of.

We’re so proud of what we’ve been able to achieve with Front & York, the recently completed 1.2 million-square-foot mixed-use development in Dumbo, Brooklyn. We worked on every aspect of the building’s architecture, interior design, and art programming, including 150,000+ square feet of amenities and the conceptual design and development of the recently installed Ampersand sculpture that anchors the corner of Front and Jay Streets. We’re thrilled by the response to the project, which is seeing the highest prices per square foot for condo sales in Brooklyn. 

Is there a building sector (e.g. residential, commercial) you are particularly passionate about?

Our portfolio primarily consists of multifamily, commercial office, and unique hospitality projects within sensitive urban contexts or mixed-use multi-parcel developments featuring a blend thereof. Our overall focus and passion is to create buildings and spaces that are imbued with a distinct sense of place and purpose, no matter the typology.

What position(s) are you currently hiring for?

Our Interiors Studio is expanding. We are looking for highly creative and collaborative interior designers at all levels, especially those with FF&E experience and senior interior designers/architects with project leadership skills.

What project(s) are the new team members likely to be working on?

We have a wide range of exciting and diverse projects that are kicking off or underway throughout the US—something for everyone!

In three words, how would you describe your team’s design ethos?

Context, Community, Collaboration

Meet Your Next Employer is one of a number of ongoing weekly series showcasing the opportunities available on our industry-leading job board. Our Job Highlights series looks at intriguing and topical employment opportunities currently available on Archinect Jobs, while our weekly roundups curate job opportunities by location, career level, and job description.