An Invaluable Experience - Anonymous employee Byrens Kim Design Employee Review

BK is a high tech, highly engaged Architecture firm built on a solid foundation that is on the edge of transitioning from a small to a medium sized practice. BK does not suffer from the anxiety that many small firms may have to endure because of it's excellent reputation with it's return clientele and long history of successfully developing a diverse array of projects in the Bay Area and surrounding region. You should anticipate rolling up your sleeves and jumping right in here. You will be involved in every aspect of projects while assuming ownership - an invaluable opportunity not always structured-in at larger practices. Another excellent attribute is collaboration - we take time to share concept development ideas as a team. We are encouraged to share ideas, resources, and skill assets and do so freely. This fosters a non-egotistical, community environment that many designers require to develop and thrive. BK is more advanced technologically than most firms: we create and refine our projects utilizing hybrid 2D and 3D software, and engage in server-based, work-sharing environment. We convey and refine project information with our clients using the most advanced, adaptive and efficient means possible. We provide services that most others do not have the experience and/or technological capabilities to execute, such as complex building systems analysis and upgrades. Other bread and butter projects include ADA upgrades, Feasibility Analysis, and various tenant improvements such as Interior Architecture makeovers. Add to this a diverse blend of community development, new schools, health clinics and other creative endeavors. Every day is a new challenge with continuous opportunity for professional growth.

Nothing I can think of.

One would not expect to find decent software in such a neglected environment but the management makes efforts to keep up.

The name of the company says it all – it is not about architecture. If you try to figure out how the design works, you would not get many answers from the company’s website. The work pool is compiled from here and there from whatever is left over from the professional companies providing architectural services. In an effort to keep up afloat, the management offers commission to the employees who bring work, but rarely keeps its promises. When it does - giving the commission check to the happy employee, no matter how small the check is, becomes a cause for office wide celebrations. Do not expect to be given credit for your contributions. If you insist on a bit of appreciation, you will be blamed of disrespect and disloyalty. You probably will get fired. Your design and the projects you bring, of course will remain in control of the company. With such market positioning it comes as no surprise that out of staff of seven, three including the boss have professional experience more than two years. This experience includes not too exiting “projects” with construction cost in the range of few thousands to a million. You probably will not learn much about the profession in such environment. Even if you are a young professional looking for the first job you will be better off elsewhere where you can get involved in real architecture and in professional settings. Look for companies that have “Architects” in the name.