Following last week’s visit to New York-based Morris Adjmi Architects, we are moving our Meet Your Next Employer series west to Los Angeles, where we find OPEN OFFICE.

Recently founded by friends and colleagues Edward Cronin and Reed Webster, the firm has just moved into an office at the architecturally-acclaimed, SelgasCano-designed coworking complex Second Home Hollywood. From there, OPEN OFFICE is building a nimble, collaborative operation to tackle upcoming projects including affordable housing, multifamily, high-end residential, and kit home commissions.

The firm now seeks to expand by advertising for several roles on Archinect Jobs. For candidates interested in applying for a position, or anybody interested in learning more about life as an architect, we spoke with the team at OPEN OFFICE for a behind-the-scenes look at their studio.

How did OPEN OFFICE get started?

OPEN OFFICE was formed by longtime friends and former colleagues Edward Cronin and Reed Webster. Over the years, we had always toyed with the idea of having our own studio, but things came into fruition earlier this year as we were able to secure some very exciting projects.

Where did the name ‘OPEN OFFICE’ originate?

The name OPEN OFFICE came from our core goal to form a truly collaborative studio. We see ourselves as a collective of talented designers and architects, each having a unique set of skills rooted in a variety of backgrounds and experiences. Each of our team members plays an integral role in our day-to-day operations, and as a small office, everyone wears many hats.

How big is your team?

We currently have 4 team members, although we hope to grow to a team of 8–10. We prefer a smaller office which allows us to stay nimble and give our full attention to each project.

Is your office one open-plan space, or subdivided?

Our office is open-plan and located at Second Home in Hollywood, within a Paul Williams building. Touted as “The healthiest place to work in LA,” there are generous common spaces, sprawling gardens, and some great onsite amenities. We love the common courtyard where we sometimes work from; the diffused light and cooler temperatures make it especially pleasant.

Describe the area of Los Angeles your office is located in.

East Hollywood is mostly known for its great Thai Restaurants, with Thai Town seen as a major draw. There is a lot of new development going on, but we chose the area for its central location — with proximity to the likes of Los Feliz, Silverlake, Atwater Village, and West Hollywood.

What is your favorite thing about working in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles has an amazing design & art scene, and to also be surrounded by classic modernist buildings, it’s hard not to be influenced by the city. More pragmatically, we also see the current housing crisis as an opportunity to create inclusionary design.

What is one non-architectural book you would recommend to colleagues?

A lot of the studio loves to cook, so we’re often chatting about cooking and recommending different cookbooks. Most recently, Take One Fish by Josh Niland has been making the rounds.

If you organized an office trip to one U.S. building, which one would it be and why?

We have been talking about taking the studio on a trip to Sea Ranch. We love the design & detailing of the original buildings but also how Sea Ranch recognizes that it also needs to evolve. Not to mention, the location isn’t bad either!

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

The office loves to hit up Wax Paper more often than not. Second Home has a great café, too, for when we’re on the run.

What is the most popular design tool in the office?

We prefer a more tactile approach to design, especially in the early stages. Sketching and model building are still very relevant to our design process. We also push our digital tools as well, trying to utilize alternative methods such as GIFs, animations, and walkthroughs to give our clients a greater understanding about the building; whether it be concept models, daylight & spatial studies, or more detail-oriented walkthroughs.

What is your favorite material to work with?

We see architectural detailing as a unison of materials which makes it difficult to choose just one. Many of our best design moments are actualized in the intersections where materials come together. The intersection of concrete, timber, and metal is always an inspiring union.

Tell us about a completed project you are proud of.

One of our favorite built projects (although it is more of a product) is the work we have been doing with Hygge Supply. As their design partner, we really love to see how this modular product has evolved. Last year, we had upwards of 10 projects in 5 different states. In most custom work, there is a lot of energy and time spent on one-off details, but with the kit home, there is a continued repetition and refinement that we find refreshing. It is an ever-evolving design problem which we love the challenge of.

What position(s) are you currently hiring for?

We are currently hiring for a Project Designer and Project Manager position.

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

We maintain a nice diversity in project scale/type within the studio and like our team members to gain experience in it all. We have some exciting affordable housing and multifamily projects on the boards right now as well as high-end residential and the kit homes. New team members will likely be working on a variety of these projects.

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

Collaborative, adaptive, and meticulous.

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.