"Architecture + is a fantastic firm to work for. You will not be pigeon-holed into doing specific tasks, unless you have a specialty that you want to continue to develop. The design professionals at a+ work on all aspects of projects seeing their own projects from start to finish. They do not hire and fire people on a project to project basis like a lot of local firms, rather if you are hired you will likely stay for a long time and be an appreciated member of a strong service-oriented design team."

"This firm is like a small family. There is a hierarchy here though."

"I would say that the structure of this firm is very horizontal and is the best internship that I've been in. Where I worked before, I was slave labor, worked between 50-100 hour weeks. And no matter how hard you worked, you were not appreciated. "

"Here they are very supportive of you and your professional growth. We are always doing something interesting, every experience that you have here is different, you will always learn something new no matter what level you are at. As far as I know all the employees here are very happy professionally and socially."

"The people here really care what goes on with everyone. There are mentor meetings and quarterly meetings where they look for feed back from their employees as to what they feel they need improvements on individually and as a whole office. They really take action from all the input."

"To succeed in this firm, is to just be yourself, work smarter, not harder. Be a good team member."

"Best quality of architecture+ from an employee perspective is the diversity and depth of responsibility in all areas of the profession that each employee is given. This has a lot to do with our small to moderate size - there is help and collaboration when needed but no cumbersome hierarchies to work around - but also a simple expectation from the principals that their employees have the desire to get the job done right and are capable of doing that. They trust us and we do the job right. Employees here really like their jobs as a whole, whether interns, architects or associates."

"It would be nice to get a few more high end design projects, but the meat and potatoes work certainly teaches us a lot, giving a sense of reality in design, the economic environment, the construction industry and the socio-political spectrum, all of which help us to create better architecture for everyday, real clients (i.e. with budgets)."

"The firm is too top heavy, so there's not much chance of promotion."

"This is a good firm to learn at. As long as you take the initiative to ask any questions you need to, they will take as much time as necessary to answer them."

"If you take the customer's needs to heart and give them what they need the firm will support you in everything that you do."

"The firm has completed a variety of different projects and is always looking toward expanding their market."

"We do various projects. We specialize in Special Populations Healthcare, Universities, Libraries, Governmental, Municipal, and Airports."

"We're charged up and ready for MORE!"

"Psychiatric and Outpatient Healthcare, Secondary Education, Residential, Libraries, Term Contracts"

"The firm knows its expertise and is proficient at landing and completing related projects. There are some project types that the firm has consciously avoided for various reasons (financial, political) but there are other genres that the firm is trying to get into or gain more depth of experience in (museums, airports, libraries, dormitories). In any case, the goal is to select projects knowing we can do a good job given any set of parameters (budget, code, site constraints, etc.) "

"The firm is dedicated to providing quality work, on time and on budget for our clients. We pride ourselves on making great environments for the users of a building, no matter the scale of the project."

"Our work serves our clients, many of whom are long term repeat clients. This base is constantly expanding and its presence gives us opportunities to develop interesting designs because our client's trust our judgment and intentions."

"Every opportunity is provided to advance and grow at a+. If you were to have a problem, needed help, or advice any one of the principals or associates would be glad to help you."

"Absolutely, their attitude towards this is if someone was unfortunate enough not to be here (for example, died), there will be someone in this firm to continue and carry on business. There will always be someone here that will know how to carry the torch."

"All employees are given real responsibilities. I was running job meetings within six months. Yet, principals and mentors take the time to answer questions and make sure their employees are comfortable, having the right information to do the job. Principals are proactive in teaching all aspects of the job, both one on one, and through weekly luncheons or office meetings. Those who desire to move up the ladder (as short as it is) are accommodated and encouraged."

"This firm is dedicated to providing a well rounded education to all its employees. No matter what your experience, you will always have something interesting to work on, at all levels of project development. Some designers get more exciting projects, but overall, it’s what you make of the projects you're given that counts."

"We have a great mix of different personalities and creative minds that work very well together and challenge each other to achieve high standards."

"They bring out the best in you. And they strengthen your weaknesses. At your 6 month reviews, they want constructive criticism as to what you feel is necessary for your professional growth, they take on the attitude of ...if you succeed, they succeed."

"We are a diverse group that yields a great chemistry. There are occasional bumping of heads but that is very rare or only at a surface level. There is a lot of respect and mutual enjoyment of fellow co-workers. The offices are open and casual conversation is common, as well as frequent interaction regarding questions about a project. Typically each employee has some special knowledge or personality trait that makes working here educational and interesting. Personal struggles are not unofficially banned... we feel comfortable helping each other at work and in life."

"We have a great camaraderie going with all the employees. They're friends first, and coworkers second. We have in-house project charrettes that really help develop skills in presentations, and foster a cohesive unity among the staff."

"We have a talented and committed staff that typically has a strong belief in the importance of working as a team."

"There's always an energy flow in here. It’s either very social or very intense depending on the work load and time of day. But like in life there's a time to be serious and a time to be more relaxed."

"There are busy seasons. When there are, it is go go go, but never without the ability to take time to laugh, play, talk or cry. The incentive to complete tasks isn't pushed on us from the principals - but rather by each of our own convictions to satisfy clients, even those with completely unreasonable expectations. The atmosphere at architectural+ is for the mature person. There is little need to push one another as we all feel the push from within. As such, the rest of our personalities are always free to come out to enrich the push to complete our work."

"Sometimes it can be daunting to work here, but overall it is a great environment. The work is satisfying when you're doing something you like, but some work can be tedious, as with all things in life."

"By and large we don't watch the clock. We may watch the calendar because the big issue is always balancing your time with when you need to be done."

"I think the management is doing very well, they have a very good feel as to what is beneficial to the company and what is not. i believe that they do very well and they have been very effective on timing when to hire and how much to hire. We also know which projects to pursue and we have been having very good luck on what they have an eye on."

"The firm made a conscious decision a few years back to be better managers, from hearing and coordinating the desires of its employees to actively seeking specific project types. As such, there are mechanisms in place to hear any and all suggestions and comments. What I would tell (and have told management) is to be more bold in response to unreasonable client or consultant requests. It is great to work for a service oriented firm but I think we could stand to get compensated better for the countless favors we do for our clients. On the other hand, their approach has led to strong, real relationships with our clients. It is nice to be a part of that."

"We all get a chance to express our opinion, and suggest types of projects we'd like to work on. The firm keeps us aware of marketing pretty well with weekly office meetings."