KPa+d is Hiring! Excellent Career Opportunity for Technical Architectural Staff—IN PERSON

KP a+d is an award-winning San Francisco architecture firm, looking for an intern architect with an interest in the technical aspects of our profession and very good Revit skills. They are a 5-person firm in the North Beach neighborhood of San Francisco, with a disciplined approach to design and a very wide array of projects in architecture and interior architecture. This woman-owned firm is notable for design work as well as our commitment to a healthy work-life balance.

If you have at least 3 years’ experience working full time in an architecture firm, and enjoying problem-solving and production drawing in Revit, KP a+d is eager to speak with you. The firm currently has an exciting mix of commercial, public and private sector work in all stages of development from conceptual design, construction documentation, and contract negotiation to construction administration. Their current slate of work includes a high-profile institutional project which will require them to produce solid drawing sets and custom detailing. Current project values range from $2.5 - $22 Million in probable construction cost.

The firm’s design approach is focused less on stylistic dogma and more on strong planning principles, the integration of natural light and landscape and meticulous detailing. The office engages in a variety of architectural and interiors projects, from single-family homes to public buildings to larger, urban-scaled housing and office buildings. They have completed numerous high-end private residences, several public libraries and custom commercial and institutional interiors throughout Northern California, as well as projects in New York State and Wyoming. Their work has been published in California Home and Design, Marin Magazine, PLAIN Magazine, Library Journal, Architectural Digest, California Homes, Sunset Magazine, and the local newspapers.

The Job: KP a+d is looking for an architectural intern or recently licensed architect with solid technical skills and good problem-solving instinct. In this small office each individual has a variety of responsibilities and opportunities; however, your principle role will be to produce drawings in Revit, working collaboratively with the project manager and principal. You will produce and coordinate design development and construction documents under direction of the Project Manager. If the opportunity arises you may be able to personally manage selected smaller projects.

Candidate should enjoy working in person, in the office, in a small-firm environment. The successful candidate will be a well-educated, self-motivated architect who enjoys producing well-coordinated drawings You are well organized, have excellent work habits and computer skills and have worked for at least 3 years, (ideally 3 - 5) in the United States since receiving your professional degree. At minimum, a B.Arch is required. Skill in Revit is required.

Skill and experience in Vectorworks and AutoCAD are a plus. Talented sketchers are always appreciated. Also required are fluency in English, both spoken and written, as well as legal status to work in the US, (no visa seekers, please).

Salary and benefits are competitive. KP a+d values and strives for optimal work/life balance and structure their schedule taking alternate Fridays off, year-round. The office culture reflects our commitment to nurturing a career while protecting your creative spirit. They insist that people take time off and encourage everyone to work hard but use your personal time. KP a+p cultivates whole lives. People are empowered to step up to opportunities, to interact with clients and to grow.

If you value a small firm structure with limited hierarchy in a firm that already has GREAT momentum, and if you think this might be the right career move for you, please send your resume to admin@kpad.com.

Debora K. Reiser, Architectural Designer, Educator, and Pioneering Feminist, Dies at 96

Architectural designer, educator, and pioneering feminist Debora K. Reiser died on September 19 at the age of 96. The news of Reiser’s passing was shared via social media by Pratt Institute. She is survived by her son Jesse Reiser and daughter-in-law Nanako Umemoto. Together, the three ran the award-winning studio RUR Architecture. - The Architect’s Newspaper

Anik, Nancy, and I had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing Deby in the Summer of 2021, where she shared stories about pursuing her Bachelors Degree from Pratt Institute in the 1940’s among a class of male peers returning from WWII. She went on to share stories about what it was like to practice architecture in the ‘50’s and how she has seen the profession change over seven decades.

You may recall our Special Holiday Event in December of 2021 where we premiered the footage of our interview with Deby. In this virtual event that Deby, Jesse, and Nanako attended, the MWA community got the chance to hear from them about practicing architecture as a family.

We are honored to have met Deby, to have experienced her palpable zeal for architecture, and to have been able to share her stories. Our deepest sympathies go out to Jesse, Nanako and the RUR team.

Watch our Special Holiday Event featuring the premier of our interview with the indomitable Debora Reiser.

Beverly Willis, Architect and Advocate for Women in the Field, Dies at 95

The San Francisco Ballet Building (1984), a major project by Beverly Willis considered as the first building in the United States designed expressly for use by a major ballet company (left); Willis pictured at a construction site in 1982 (right). Photos via Beverly Willis Architectural Photograph Collection, Library of Congress

Beverly Willis founded her own practice in San Francisco in 1958 and went on to create the Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation in 2002 out of frustration at seeing women largely absent from architectural history textbooks. She made it her mission to recognize the work of her female predecessors and contemporaries.

Ms. Willis recognized the work of little-known 20th-century female architects, as well as more established ones who worked into the 21st century as well, like Zaha Hadid, Annabelle Selldorf and Elizabeth Diller, of Diller Scofidio + Renfro.

These are just a few of the architects, designers and construction chiefs highlighted in her short film “Unknown New York: The City That Women Built.”

Ms. Willis died on October 1, 2023 due to complications with Parkinson’s Disease. She leaves behind a profound legacy of advocating for women in the field of architecture and will be missed.

Read what other outlets had to say about Beverly Willis.

NY Times

The Architect’s Newspaper

Architect

Architectural Record

MWA Kicks Off Our 5th Season with a Lovely Evening to Reconnect!

MWA Fall 2023 Mixer, September 21, 2023 @ Rimadesio New York

Last week we had the pleasure of stepping away from our computers and gathering for an evening of sharing stories, hugs, wine, and advice at our Fall Mixer!

Anik, Nancy and I are grateful to have been joined in person by so many of our community from NYC and from afar since transitioning to a virtual format in March 2020 due to the pandemic. Our community has grown so much in five years to expand throughout the country and beyond. This Fall Mixer was an evening to gather mentors and mentees that have grown with us over these five years and toast to the ‘old girl’s network’ you are all helping us to build.

Special thanks to the mentors that joined us:

Barbara Spandorf

Elizabeth Graziolo

Nadia Jarrett

Nalina Moses

Karin Payson

Kathy Chia

Nina Kinoti-Metz

In Cho

Nina Gotlieb

Special thanks to Shannon Donohue who flew from Atlanta, GA to be with us!

Our deepest gratitude to the team at Rimadesio New York for hosting us in their gorgeous showroom as well as to Jinhee Shin and Sumin Chwang for helping us host and photograph the event!

Check out the photos!

QBG Education Center Receives Public Design Commission Award

As NYC’s design review agency, the Public Design Commission is an advocate on behalf of innovation, sustainability, and equitability in New York’s public realm. PDC worked meticulously with BKSK to develop a strong indoor-outdoor relationship between building and landscape. The project is imbued with materials, biodiversity, and connections that embody the educational philosophy of the building.

Read more here.