"This is both an architectural design firm as well as a lighting design firm, which mean we consult other architects in lighting as well as light our own in-house arch. projects. This makes for an interesting perspective on architecture. Artificial light is given special focus in the design of spaces."

"This is a great firm for someone who isn't shy and is ready to get their hands dirty in all aspects of the design process. Highlight your education and design skills (CAD, 3d modeling, drawing skills) to get in the door."

"Although, A+L touts that they are an integrated architecture and lighting design firm who collaborates, they do not do it effectively on the office projects. The partnership of the two disciplines and the partners are somewhat dysfunctional and there is very little communication between the teams. The lighting design studio does more as a consultant to other architects than on client work in the office."

"This firm needs a direction. It functions as very disparate entities- a lighting design consultant to other architects and as a restaurant design firm. The small remainder of the work is catch as catch can. I would not recommend it to anyone that does not fit squarely into one of these two groups until the firm as a whole collects itself and establishes a direction."

"It's easy to get in the door here but I'm not sure it's worth it. Those with no experience should really look to where they can get quality experience."

"There's no hierarchy or organization to this firm, so it's hard to say what the best position is. Intern are not considered interns here, they're simply draftsmen which can free you from being locked into a role."

"At the present you could get a job at this firm if you are still breathing. There has been a partnership shuffle (implosion) in the last several months and a majority of the staff has left in droves. One partner in particular seems hell-bent on destroying the firm with low ball fees and no possible way to do the work requested efficiently or at a profit. Employee turnover has been a constant problem at this firm and there is very little repeat client business, except of course dog work on bad chain restaurants that no one in their right mind would ever want to do. The offices are beautiful and spacious, but don't be fooled by walking in the door that good design happens here."

"There is no best position or role at this firm. You go in, do your work and leave. It's up to the individual to gain as much knowledge and experience and move on. Don't expect promotions of any substance. Salary increases are uneven."

"This firm suffers from a dysfunctional relationship between the partners. They aren't sure what their role should be and it's quite apparent to the staff, communication is minimal even to seniors. They recently had a mass exodus due in part to the departure of one of the partners. Since a management void had been created, five Associates were appointed with more responsibility but no authority, benefits or salary increase. Three have left within 2 months of the promotion, the other two are dissatisfied and may be pursuing positions with other firms."

"The management seems intent on convincing employees that the firm is 'top rated' one of the 'ten best' in the bay area. Unfortunately this borders on the delusional. They have a great space which is empty most of the time. Most employees are not encouraged to interact, even on in-house projects though the philosophy is the exact opposite. It's telling that in the 5 years that I was there, I was the second senior person in the firm. Approximately 45 employees at various levels have walked through their revolving door within the past 8-10 years and no one has returned. Many talented and qualified architects recruited from various local firms bailed in just under six months. It's a good gig for a short term, but don't get stuck. The firm is treading water financially and rumblings among staff regarding payroll is a frequent topic of conversation. Don't expect to get a lot of help or guidance on first getting there from the higher ups. It's definitely a sink or swim attitude."

"Interns are not really treated as such, but rather as full-time employees contributing the same way as all other employees. I must take the initiative to get mentoring, or request different types of work that I want to do. There is a $300 education fund per year for every employee to pay for continuing education classes, CAD classes, seminars, AIA convention travel, etc."

"There is a diverse array of work to do here, everything from lighting to interior design as well as architecture. They work very hard and hardly ever over 40 - 45 hours a week."

"There is no clear vision of the type of work the firm would like to do. They take whatever they get."

"This is now a restaurant only firm with little interaction on the lighting side. Don't expect to get relevant lighting experience or knowledge. The attitude toward work is how fast can we crank out this low fee project?"

"This is now a strictly restaurant office with no time for competitions or pro-bono work. With a shrinking bank account, they have no choice but to take anything they can. Unfortunately, they can't make any of their jobs profitable."

"The firm at this point is really two separate firms - one a lighting design firm and the other a restaurant design firm. The firm would be better off just becoming a lighting design only firm, the partner who manages the architecture side is just about to run the whole thing into the ground doing cheap, low fee thematecture for bad restaurants."

"Most in-house projects tend to be of the mid to low end commercial and restaurant, i.e., chains with low budgets. Very little repeat business, somehow they end up alienating clients. The lighting portion of the firm does projects with other large architectural firms in the bay area. It's very lopsided. The fees are low balled to get the project, they're micro-managed by the partner and they end up costing a lot more. The firms attitude is get it done and out the door. Very formulaic attitude toward the restaurant projects."

"Good designers, work is okay, but office badly managed. It's a matter of getting the jobs that the firm really wants so that the employees are happy working on them, but I have yet to hear a clear plan about what kind of projects those are from principals."

"This firm provides an excellent learning opportunity, but don't expect to be led through it. They may not offer mentoring but they certainly have time for your questions and are more than capable to give an educated opinion."

"Career development is non-existent. Don't expect conversations on philosophical discourse or even expect your ideas to be taken seriously. The boss has a clear idea of how things should be done and has no concern for your professional growth, he just wants you to meet that 6 o'clock deadline."

"Sink or swim was the attitude here. You're immediately thrown into the mix with little or no guidance. PMs used to be reliable for help but they've all left recently. Instead, the boss will micro-manage your project and look at you funny if you don't understand. Tip - If you end up here, bring your own library for reference."

"The firm has tried to take a role in developing future leaders but it just keeps stumbling around blindly with seemingly no clue to how to run a successful architecture practice."

"Developing future leaders is not on the radar. They're more interested in maintaining the status quo."

"If they sense that an employee may be leaving they provide 'verbal incentives' to try to keep the people there. Unfortunately some buy it and get nothing and end up leaving shortly thereafter, i.e. talk is cheap."

"This firm centers on a collaborative process that often involves interns, they are patient, professional, and ready to hear your ideas."

"Most people only interact with me when they have to do so. Most of them wear headphones and do not pay attention to what is going on around them. There is very little interaction amongst the team members unless there is a meeting. At staff meetings, there is very little sharing of information."

"This office used to have tons of competent and eager staff but they've all fled after a recent partnership shuffle. Project Managers are especially lacking at the moment, leaving you to be micro-managed by the boss. Expect no information and deadlines issued the day of. This is a poorly managed office and it shows."

"The staff is the only saving grace at this firm. Be cautious though, everyone is leaving this office to pursue other opportunities."

"Most people leave without having a long experience at this firm - it is a revolving door."

"Unfortunately I feel dragged down by my immediate staff. It takes a lot to motivate some of the juniors."

"Again, office culture strange for the work that we do. Not particularly well-organized."

"There is no time clock but it's hard not to get work done here. The office environment is supportive, relaxed, and conducive to long hours at the PC."

"The offices are beautiful but the atmosphere will put you to sleep. Most people keep to themselves and where headphones all day long. Some people never leave their desk all day until it is time to go home. They won't speak to you if you don't speak to them. The partners sit on a mezzanine and only come down when they are forced to do so. It's a drag."

"This office has nice digs, but they're deceiving in comparison to the quality of design. You may be given the latest software, plenty of space, and full run of the office - but don't expect anyone to tell you how things are done. You're simply thrown to the wolves and given looks of amazement when you don't know how things should be done."

"I take a fist full of Tums before walking in the door and a fist full of ibuprofen when walking out."

"The office is as quiet as a morgue usually - most people wear headphones all day and there is little interaction."

"This is one, no, THE most boring office of my career. Countless hours of nothing but clicking of keyboards. Lately even the phones don't ring very often. Most employees wear headphones and keep to themselves. Most times I want to run out screaming and not come back. The place is a drag to work in."

"Principals trying to move away from project management."

"The management at this firm is great and improving. This firm is ready to grow and seek out new markets. The opportunity to be heard and to make design decisions is enormous."

"Having worked for them for many years, I think they do not listen or heed good advice. They do what they want to do. They stumble from one bad project to another and mismanage all the projects. And, the architectural practice retains very few clients after a project is complete."

"Management is what this firm is lacking. The boss is extremely busy balancing marketing, design, and vacation which leaves little quality in all the above. Don't expect any information - even in the weekly meetings. Deadlines are frequently doled out on a daily basis. This is not the place for interns who need to learn how to be architects."

"The manager of this firm is steering the ship straight into an iceberg."

"You always know before a project begins that you will lose money but it does not seem to make an impression with one of the partners - You are constantly asking the question would it not be better to do fewer projects with a good fee and do them well than do a bunch of low ball fee projects that you do not have the time or money to do well – whadayathink?"

"I think that management has pretty much heard it all from their employees who are open and honest with them. Unfortunately they don't listen. As a result they leave."