Perkins & Will Reviews

Pros

This is a great office to work at – I’ve recommended this firm, and specifically this office, to my friends, and will continue to do so. There is a mix of personalities, strengths, and interests, which can be great if you look at it in a positive and open manner, rather than a negative bump in the road. I’ve worked at some really awful firms due to the 2008 recession and stuck with them for the sake of a paycheck, so I can honestly say that this office has been too good to me. I have found so many incredibly supportive people who have genuinely cared in various ways including mentorship and work/life balance.

The Managing Director doesn’t play the favorites game, but he does genuinely care, as he’s often caught me in the halls and asked me how I’m doing in life and at work and if I’m on projects that are beneficial to my career. In general, leadership, including the MD, recognizes when someone works extremely hard. While everyone loves to talk and complain about the negative, which is expected at a large firm, there is often a lot of positive feedback that circulates around the office as well. If you’re a team player, you WILL get treated well. I’ve done small favors for various projects – like helped out a Senior Designer with a last minute photoshoot (which isn’t typical) and helped a Principal take a photo of a recently finished space that wasn’t professionally photographed yet, etc. and all of these people remember that and have returned the favor by being supportive in some form.

After being at various firms, I do have the pet peeve of bosses taking credit for your work, but I find this office really frowns down upon this situation which makes me respect the firm. Because I’m a pretty ambitious and transparent person, I find that this office respects and appreciate this, and responds to my favor. A Principal or PM will often hand me something that will push my abilities as an architect, will allow me to figure the task or situation out, but will be there for me when I express doubt or the need for help. While this may not work for everyone, but it definitely works for me!

I also find that if you want something and the idea has been shut down by one person or group of people, that’s your time to be creative and figure out another path to pursuit your idea. Thankfully, there are enough personalities, so someone will eventually be supportive of a crazy idea. I found this to be the case in regards to ideas I had for an Innovation Incubator, but found a different path within the firm to make it happen.

Fortunately, I can really be taken seriously, but I can also jovially joke around with my coworkers, including those in leadership. This dynamic makes working at a firm 100x’s more enjoyable, and encourages you to represent the firm as best as possible.

There has also been the opportunity to get to know other P+W employees in other offices. It’s always fun to collaborate in this manner.

Last bit: During the 2008/9 recession, when I was laid off from my first job, I decided to dream big and applied to Perkins + Will, but I also applied everywhere I could. As corny as this sounds, this job has been a dream come true, and I am looking forward to continue growing my career with this firm.

Last last bit: And of course, there are the great perks that people take for granted: bonuses, professional development, ARE study guides and support, lunch & learns, lunch time yoga, and most importantly: APPRECIATION AND RESPECT when it’s earned and deserved.

Pros

A good platform to set off a professional career, which helps you to get a good sense of what architects' responsibility is and what's going on in this industry. In a word, a big firm like Perkins Will provides you with an understanding of "typical environment of an architecture company".

Pros

The subsidized MARTA card is the only good thing. The physical office space itself is also pretty nice.

Advice to Management

If your job is business development and you don't bring in work, you should be fired. If you get our firm fired from projects then you absolutely should be fired, not paid a quarter of a million dollars.

There are still a handful of good people left. They should be promoted, not driven out.

Pros

Nice office and colleagues, interesting projects

Pros

Great hard-working atmosphere, especially in the Design and the Interior studios.

Advice to Management

Break down the silos of studios...and create project-based teams, instead of studio-based teams.

Pros

People are friendly. Annual event

Pros

Small-Mid size office, Some flexible schedule.

Pros

Great atmosphere and people
Flexibility in work
Opportunities to grow

Pros

I made some great friends who I still keep in touch with (most of them who have left at this point but some who are still there)

Advice to Management

Middle management needs to mentor... upper management needs to change. If key people cannot bring in work, they should be fired.

Pros

Excellent opportunities to grow and connect with inspiring projects and great people across North America and worldwide

Advice to Management

Go back to the start-up culture roots and incentivize people to work together across disciplines and offices.