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Quotations
The quotations below represent the opinions of respondents to the firm survey. These individuals are unrelated to InsideArch. Their opinions are based on their individual experiences and in no way reflect or represent the views of InsideArch or its employees. Other opinions, including contrary opinions, may exist."It is a small office, so managing a project is as good as it gets. Responsibility is given, but micromanaged [after 3 years, I sent out a memo without anyone reading it].”
"Principals pride themselves on being open to listening, but you will do much better if you can talk over others.”
"The firm wants to do outstanding work, but does not take the risks to get past very good."
"The firm takes on a range of work, from town planning to low-income housing, to high end residential.”
"It is a single room office with many pinups and dialogue about how to improve designs. Comments are fairly well received and an intern has as much of a chance to make interesting design decisions as anyone else."
"Abacus tries to develop employees, and makes occasional forward movement, but is generally bogged down in work and is forced towards production."
"People generally support each other. Asking questions and seeking guidance is always encouraged.”
"Micromanagement can be a problem to the point of occasional condescension."
"There is a lot of banter about design and process that continues until there is a mad rush to produce drawings.... lots of drawings.... excessively realistic when a diagram would do.”
"A model of inefficiency a la design school charretting."
"The firm needs to put more trust in workers to make appropriate decisions and work to make the office more efficient."
Key Questions
(Scale: 1-5)
A majority of the people polled agreed that the multiple choice statements below, taken from the firm survey, best described their opinions of the firm. These survey results are based on the experiences of individuals unrelated to InsideArch and in no way reflect or represent the views of InsideArch or its employees. All responses, which are selected by multiple choice from a list of possible responses, represent
the opinions of the respondents. Other opinions, including contrary opinions, may exist.
Does the firm have a strong unifying design philosophy?
4 Moderately
How is the firm doing financially?
2 Things are tight, but we're getting by.
How important to the firm is pursuing a social agenda?
2 We'll do a green project, but only if the client suggests it.
How would you rate the overall design quality of the firm's work?
4 Moderate
What level commitment do you feel your firm exhibits toward a quality internship?
4 Moderate
Rate the overall quality of the learning opportunity
4 Moderate
Would you recommend this firm to potential employees or interns?
2 Probably wouldn't recommend, but some people have a good experience here.
How would you rate the overall design creativity and technical skill of the architectural staff at this firm.
4 Maybe not the starting line-up, but definitely major-league players
How would you rate the overall employee satisfaction at the firm?
2 Low
The general attitude at this firm toward interns is:
5 Go, go, go -- interns are thrown into the mix immediately.
How satisfied are you with your overall compensation at this firm?
1 Very Dissatisfied
Note: The answers shown in the 'Key Questions' section are not the actual words of any user but represent the average answer selected from the five available options of a multiple-choice question.
User Comments
(Unedited comments about Abacus Architects & Planners or this Firm Report.)
: 16.0 (scale: 1-25)
 © 2003, Albert Vercerka / Esto&photogurl=http://www.avphotography.com/
)
N/A
3.9
4.6
5.0
4.1
3.4
2.0