ZGF Architects Employee Reviews about "great projects"

Pros

- The firm has an honorable mission. They've done some truly amazing work, and are working on more great projects. - There's a few really good people in the company. People who believe in working hard, making a difference, and changing the world for the better.

Cons

I can only attest to working in the firm-wide PR and LA marketing teams, in which I was subjected to passive-aggressive hostility, alienation, and outright dishonesty. This treatment went entirely unexplained, for they avoid open and honest communication at all cost. I know for a fact I'm not the only one treated this way. When I once asked a team leader how to help the other members improve in their performance, the response was, "Those people will weed themselves out. We just need to wait." This is just one of many examples that highlight just how reptilian these "leaders" are. They absolutely refuse to address issues in the open. Instead, they let ill will foster up until it completely blows open, and undeserving people who are doing their best with what little guidance they get suffer negative consequences for it. I listened to leaders talk so much trash about their own team and their abilities, yet did absolutely nothing to steer them towards improvement. I can't express enough how despicable it was. In addition to the two-faced nature that is the PR/marketing culture, project management is a disaster. No one owns anything that has clear and measurable results, and so results on a lot of things is incredibly poor. I feel bad for the partners--I don't think they realize what little value they are receiving for what they're getting billed. Outside PR/marketing, I have to concur with previous reviews that this company is pretty cliquey. I witnessed a lot of gossip and rigid social dynamics. I felt exceptionally isolated there. Overall, easily the worst so-called professional experience in my life. It's actually going to take me time to recover psychologically from the whole chapter.

Pros

Strong focus on integration of sustainability into projects. Great resources with model shop, 3d printing, VR technology is being explored. Dedicated. talented visualization crew to help concepts look awesome.

Cons

Politics between offices was an issue. Disagreements between partners and divisive behaviors that was visible to staff. This means there are disconnects between experiences at each location and tensions between how resources are shared, where the profit flows from/to, etc PDX is still somehow considered the center, but LA runs DC and NY. SEA is it's own entity in many ways, and tries to exert strong influence over the partnership with ZGF Cotter in Vancouver. A few years ago, ZGF hired a CFO to make the firm run more efficiently, but it also led to some bloodletting with loyal seasoned employees. The big family vibe no longer exists at ZGF.

Pros

Highly qualified and talented staff, great projects and clients

Cons

Communication can be challenged at times, firm has had growing pains