Employment

Open Positions -1/2020

Are you tired of being a cog in a wheel? Is being a wheel on a wagon more your speed?

Have you grown bored, plugging away at the same soulless design, day in and day out?

Is the highlight of your day perusing the architecture blogs, dreaming about working on something unique and unconventional?

What if that studio you work for fostered an exploration into new ways of living and building? What if the company you worked for promoted a healthy work/life balance by offering flexibility in scheduling, no late nights, and optional half-day Fridays twice a month.

Framestudio is just that upstart practice.

Since its founding by Chad DeWitt in 2017, the practice is built on a passion for creating unique, human-centric buildings using the latest in sustainable building technology. Our projects range from new homes from the ground up, to restorations and updates of notable 20th-century homes, and the occasional commercial commission. Our work is rooted in the Second and Third Bay Area Traditions, specifically that time in the 1950s-70s when you could hire an architect to design you a thoughtful, affordable home made from modest, honest materials. Architects like Joseph Esherick, Norman Jaffe, McKay-Lyons Sweetwater, and the lesser-known practices of Scott and Scott, and Austin Maynard Architects are our heroes. Our small size allows each team member to be involved in every phase of the project, lots of direct contact with the clients, and plenty of time working one on one with the Principal.

Our past projects that have garnered attention from the likes of Dezeen, ArchDaily and Spaces Magazine include:

Pool house addition clad with a cedar batten rainscreen inspired by European extensions meant to contrast with a historic structure.

A 1968 Sea Ranch Demonstration house designed by Joseph Esherick where we transformed the home with a focus on functionality and aesthetics for its new owners.

A 1959 hillside home designed by Henry Hill in Alamo, California, where we transformed the home by unifying later additions with the original home, and updating it’s mechanical systems while keeping its 20th-century simplicity.

Projects we have on our drawing boards:

A compound in rural Sonoma County which includes a geodesic dome main home constructed to PassivHaus standards, a minimalist barn design to utilize prefabricated metal agricultural building system, and a water tower with an observation deck.

A facade remodel and addition to a 1970’s A-frame style ski chalet near Truckee.

A 300 square foot guest house for a project at The Sea Ranch where we intend to explore how alternative construction systems like mass-timber can serve us on a small scale project.

How to Apply:

To apply to our open positions, please submit your CV and examples of your work to jobs@framestud.io No phone calls, please. Due to the volume of applicants we receive, we will acknowledge receipt of your submission, however, we are only able to contact candidates we are considering for the position.

You must be eligible to work in the USA. Framestudio is unable to sponsor foreign nationals at this time.

Project Architect

The position:

We have an opening for a passionate Project Architect to join our close-knit team. You will work closely with the Principal to manage 4-5 projects of various scales, with 1-2 team members reporting to you.
Collaborate with the Principal in the development of the design and detailing of the project.
Manage the production, organization, coordination, thoroughness, and accuracy of the virtual building model and all documents in the drawing set
Conduct quality control review of drawing sets and specifications at major project milestones with the Principal.
Communicate with and coordinate the efforts of project team members, clients, consultants, contractors, and municipal officials.
Research and specify materials, products, and systems.
Attend jobsite meetings, issue supplemental instructions and RFI responses, process submittals, and shop drawing review during Construction Administration.

Your qualifications:

Accredited degree in Architecture
Licensed in the State of California is preferred
7-10 years of residential and small scale commercial experience
Proficiency in AutoCADLT, Sketchup and Adobe CC and MacOS
The ability to manage budgets and schedules on several projects
Technical knowledge in Type V Construction detailing
Experience with sustainable high-performance building and design practices
Solid design skills and the ability to emulate our approach and aesthetic standards
Possess a valid driver’s license and are willing to travel to projects out of the immediate area
Excellent verbal, written and graphic communication skills
The ability to legally work within the United States. Framestudio is unable to sponsor foreign nationals at this time

Compensation:

Framestudio offers a fast-paced, detail-oriented work environment. Our office is located in downtown Oakland, steps away from Oakland City Center. We offer competitive wages, health insurance, retirement account with matching, two half-day Fridays per month, flexible scheduling, opportunities for travel (sometimes internationally), pre-tax commuter benefits, reimbursement for passed ARE exams, and an annual budget for professional development events. Oh, and that favorite brand of pen you like, we’ll get that for you as well.

Junior Architectural Designer

The position:

We have an opening for a sharp, Junior Architecture t to join our close-knit team. You will work closely with the Principal and Project Architect on 4-5 projects of various scales.
Support project team in the development of the design and production, organization, coordination, thoroughness, and accuracy of the virtual building model and all documents in the drawing set.
Communicate with and coordinate the efforts of project team members, clients, consultants, contractors, and municipal officials.
Research materials, products, and systems.
Record and issue project meeting minutes.

Your qualifications:

Accredited degree in Architecture
2-5 years of residential and small scale commercial experience
Proficiency in AutoCADLT, Sketchup and Adobe CC and MacOS
Experience in Type V Construction
Experience with sustainable high-performance building and design practices
Solid design skills and the ability to emulate our approach and aesthetic standards
Possess a valid driver’s license and are willing to travel to projects out of the immediate area
Excellent verbal, written and graphic communication skills
The ability to legally work within the United States. Framestudio is unable to sponsor foreign nationals at this time

Compensation:

Framestudio offers a fast-paced, detail-oriented work environment. Our office is located in downtown Oakland, steps away from Oakland City Center. We offer competitive wages, health insurance, retirement account with matching, two half-day Fridays per month, flexible scheduling, opportunities for travel (sometimes internationally), pre-tax commuter benefits, reimbursement for passed ARE exams, and an annual budget for professional development events. Oh, and that favorite brand of pen you like, we’ll get that for you as well.

Office Manager

We have an opening for an organized and dedicated individual to join our downtown Oakland architecture studio. We are a small team who get along well – there’s a lot we do and there’s never a boring day. The role suits an articulate, resourceful, hardworking candidate who is keen to assist with all office needs from ordering office supplies to updating our website and social media -and who can help ensure that our fast-paced environment runs smoothly.

The position:

You will work closely with our entrepreneurial Principal, supporting 2-3 team members.
Assist with onboarding new employees, running payroll, and minding the office benefits.
Keep office supplies in stock, water in the watercooler and help to find that missing stapler.
Send weekly reminders to the team to input their hours and assist the Principal in preparing monthly invoices.
Keep the office database in order, taking the lead on marketing projects like Christmas cards.
Updating our website blog, creating announcements for events, and assisting with the bi-monthly newsletter.
Pay invoices, track materials orders and inspect purchase on behalf of clients.
Light bookkeeping.
Make travel arrangements for the staff.
Assist Principal with special events, projects, etc.

Your qualifications:

Experience in an Architecture or Design Firm
The candidate should have a sunny disposition, be able to multitask and work well under pressure.
A passion for design.
Well organized and detail-oriented with a passion for perfection
Experience with MacOS, Adobe Creative Suite
Experience with Quickbooks, Harvest, Gusto, Wix, MailChimp, and Airtable a plus.
Strong desire to learn
A solid design aesthetic and the ability to emulate our studio voice and aesthetic standards
Possess a valid driver’s license
Excellent verbal, written and graphic communication skills
The ability to legally work within the United States. Framestudio is unable to sponsor foreign nationals at this time

Compensation:

Framestudio offers a fast-paced, detail-oriented work environment. Our office is located in downtown Oakland, steps away from Oakland City Center. We offer competitive wages, health insurance, retirement account with matching, two half-day Fridays per month, flexible scheduling, and pre-tax commuter benefits. Oh, and that favorite brand of pen you like, we’ll get that for you as well.