Designer (2 Positions)

San Francisco, CA

Full Time

Architecture

Mid Level

Firm Description - Designer (2 Positions)

Walker Warner Architects is an award-winning San Francisco firm with a staff of 80+ that has completed many residential, winery and hospitality projects in California, Hawaii and other Western states. Our work is tailored to the uniqueness and diversity of each client and place, maintaining a consistent focus on design excellence, thorough project management and superior service. We believe in collaboration, continuous learning and sharing, and actively support candidates on the path to become licensed architects. Our office is friendly and spirited, with regular happy hours, field trips and design-focused presentations. We are conveniently located in SoMa within walking distance of all major transit systems.

For more information about our projects and firm, please visit us on Instagram and LinkedIn.

This position is based out of the San Francisco office and open to a hybrid schedule once onboarding and orientation is complete.

Job Description:

With preliminary direction from a licensed architect,

Assist in pre-design/planning and all phases of residential design, including new construction, renovation, tenant improvement, parking garage, and unit plans;
Set up meetings with client representatives for presentations and workshops, analysis of goals and needs, develop programmed space spreadsheets, narrative summaries, room data sheets, adjacency diagrams, graphic content, and prepare final Developed Project Program document;
Gather information on past projects, content development, quick turnaround concept development, 3D digital modeling, along with presentation and proposal design and formatting;
Research building codes and regulations, collect data, and write reports and presentations to incorporate research and data into architectural designs;
Collaborate on concept alternatives, studies and development requiring 3D digital massing, floor plans, space plans, building elevations, sections and perspectives;
Produce site analysis studies with site photography, code research, base drawings, and diagrams;
Provide alternative site design studies requiring site plans, site sections, 3D digital massing and physical site modeling;
Prepare and incorporate weather data analysis to identify passive design potential based on the local climate and building use to minimize building energy needs and maximize the energy savings;
Develop design and construction drawings and documents for all phases, schematic design through construction documents including architectural plans, elevations, and details in imperial or metric standards for jurisdictional agency standards using 2D/3D modeling software, primarily using ArchiCAD and supporting tools;
Translate clients' functional and spatial requirements for structures into feasible design solutions, incorporating custom detailing, structural engineering principles and building systems into architectural designs;
Analyze sketches, photographs, notes, and other input material to determine best approaches for completion of drawings to solve technical issues of design in relation to sites, buildings and client needs;
Set up the context model environment and settings for VR architectural visualization for advanced design presentation options for the client(s), as well as to use as in house design reviews;
Design exterior envelope as well as interior finishing requiring enlarged plans, elevations, sections, details and axonometric drawings;
Research and draft details and schedules specifically designed for a given project in preparations for construction;
Work in conjunction with sustainable design leadership in the continued improvement and development of high performance design to maintain and improve the quality and consistency of design environment and deliverables;
Coordinate with the contractor and owner to make sure the overall design intent is achieved throughout the construction process;
Fulfill general contractor’s requests for information (RFI’s), submittals, and change order requests;
Execute site visits, field observation and meetings to review the progress of construction;
Coordinate with civil, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection (MEP/FP), lighting, landscape, code, traffic, parking, kitchen, zoning, signage, acoustic, security, curtain wall, façade maintenance, special systems, geotechnical, vertical transportation, and structural consultants to incorporate engineering systems into unified design;
Perform necessary modifications of drawings and specifications as construction projects progress and changes in dimensions, materials, and other aspects of design arise from client, agency or public input;
Apply architectural principles to review all related shop drawings, samples, mockups, and cut sheets on materials & equipment;
Review of structural construction for architectural coordination, HVAC system layout and installation, installation of lighting fixtures, and installation of electrical equipment;
Assist project manager or architect in project closeout, such as final inspections, preparation of punch list, record drawings, and post occupancy review;
Support project team in development of the design and production, organization, coordination, thoroughness, and accuracy of the virtual building model and all documents in the drawing set.

Job Requirements:

Bachelor of Architecture (5 year) or foreign equivalent plus 18 months of experience to include assisting in all phases of residential design, including new construction, renovation, tenant improvement, parking garage, and unit plans;
Setting up meetings with client representatives for presentations and workshops, analysis of goals and needs, developing programmed space spreadsheets, narrative summaries, room data sheets, adjacency diagrams, graphic content, and preparing final Developed Project Program document;
Gathering information on past projects, content development, quick turnaround concept development, 3D digital modeling, along with presentation and proposal design and formatting; researching building codes and regulations, collecting data, and writing reports and presentations to incorporate research and data into architectural designs;
Collaborating on concept alternatives, studies, and development requiring 3D digital massing, floor plans, space plans, building elevations, sections and perspectives;
Producing site analysis studies with site photography, code research, base drawings, and diagrams;
Providing alternative site design studies requiring site plans, site sections, 3D digital massing and physical site modeling;
Preparing and incorporating weather data analysis to identify passive design potential based on the local climate and building use to minimize building energy needs and maximize energy savings;
Developing design and construction drawings and documents for all phases, schematic design through construction documents including architectural plans, elevations, and details in imperial or metric standards for jurisdictional agency standards using 2D/3D modeling software, primarily using ArchiCAD and supporting tools;
Translating clients' functional and spatial requirements for structures into feasible design solutions, incorporating custom detailing, structural engineering principles and building systems into architectural designs;
Analyzing sketches, photographs, notes, and other input material to determine best approaches for completion of drawings to solve technical issues of design in relation to sites, buildings and client needs;
Designing exterior envelope as well as interior finishing requiring enlarged plans, elevations, sections, details and axonometric drawings;
Researching and drafting details and schedules specifically designed for a given project in preparations for construction;
Working in conjunction with sustainable design leadership in the continued improvement and development of high performance design to maintain and improve the quality and consistency of design environment and deliverables;
Coordinating with the contractor and owner to make sure the overall design intent is achieved throughout the construction process;
Executing site visits, field observation and meetings to review the progress of construction;
Coordinating with civil, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection (MEP/FP), lighting, landscape, code, traffic, parking, kitchen, zoning, signage, acoustic, security, curtain wall, façade maintenance, special systems, geotechnical, vertical transportation, and structural consultants to incorporate engineering systems into unified design;
Performing necessary modifications of drawings and specifications as construction projects progress and changes in dimensions, materials, and other aspects of design arise from client, agency or public input;
Applying architectural principles to review all related shop drawings, samples, mockups, and cut sheets on materials & equipment;
Review of structural construction for architectural coordination, HVAC system layout and installation, installation of lighting fixtures, and installation of electrical equipment;
Assisting project manager or architect in project closeout, such as final inspections, preparation of punch list, record drawings, and post occupancy review;
Supporting project team in development of the design and production, organization, coordination, thoroughness, and accuracy of the virtual building model and all documents in the drawing set.

Compensation and Benefits

Walker Warner Architects offers a competitive compensation package including fully paid health benefits for employees, profit sharing, employer 401(k) contribution, generous paid time-off and flexible spending accounts, plus so much more.

The annual salary for this position is $85,696. Any offer of compensation will be determined by a candidate’s education, skills, and experience as assessed during the interview process.

How to Apply

Please submit your resume, cover letter and portfolio samples, with indication of your role on the projects submitted. We will acknowledge receipt of your information, but only candidates being considered for a position will be contacted directly.

Please no hard copies, drop-ins or telephone calls. Reposting this job description elsewhere is not permitted.

Diversity

Walker Warner is an e-Verify organization. We value diversity and know that diverse workplaces lead to a culture of innovation and more successful business outcomes. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

COVID-19 Vaccination

We strongly encourage all employees to be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 and provide reasonable accommodations consistent with legal requirements (e.g., for medical and religious reasons.)

Physical Requirements

Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer
Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times

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