At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead high-profile architectural projects and drive innovative design solutions.
- Company: Join David Kohn Architects, a renowned firm with a focus on sustainable design.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonuses, training, and fun office events.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for professional growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on major civic projects while advocating for carbon-negative futures.
- Qualifications: 5-10 years of experience in delivering complex, sustainable architecture projects.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Contract Type: Ongoing and full-time
Salary: Competitive, plus benefits
Responsible to: Director
Location: Camden Town, North London
Applications by: Ongoing
Interviews: Ongoing
Start date: Dependent on Applicant
*Candidates are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible as the position may be filled earlier.
The Role
David Kohn Architects is looking to recruit a senior architect to lead high-profile projects and to drive the studio’s broader development. The successful candidate will be a highly motivated individual with the ability to lead the successful delivery of a major civic project and to become a key member of the practice, leading on the delivery of projects more widely and contributing to the direction of the business.
The Practice
David Kohn Architects was established in 2007 and has gained an international reputation for the quality of its design. We collaborate with our clients, consultant teams and end users to deliver highly tailored schemes that exceed expectations. We are currently working on major projects including new market buildings in Birmingham and the refurbishment of a major gallery in Ghent. Supporting our clients in the drive towards carbon negative futures is an important part of our current and future work.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead project team, stakeholders and consultants effectively on mixed use development across all RIBA stages, with a strong emphasis on collaborative design and performing to targets;
- Advocate for carbon negative futures at all stages of the project and benchmark design development against targets;
- Build relationship with a key client to ensure continuity through project stages and further collaborations;
- Embody and contribute to the studio’s identity and design ethos;
- Work closely with directors and inspire success in others to provide the scope and deliverables within agreed resources and timeframe;
- Lead and contribute to new business acquisition through bids, design competitions, industry and public engagement.
Experience and Knowledge
- You will have proven experience, five to ten years or more, including delivering similar projects (sustainable mixed use including retail and public realm) in scale and complexity, of at least £40m construction value;
- You have delivered low carbon / BREEAM excellent or outstanding designs;
- Your experience will include UK processes and standards;
- You will be commercially astute, having delivered projects within constraints such as agreed timescales, construction cost and internal resource budget;
- A sensitive and rigorous approach to brief development, design and materiality supported by a portfolio of the highest quality;
- Strong presentation skills with an emphasis on hand sketching;
- Working with BIM (Revit);
- A knowledge of architectural history, the work of David Kohn Architects and the practice's design approach.
Skills
- You will be a confident leader with excellent interpersonal skills and thrive in leadership roles.
- You will be highly organized, be able to prioritise both the design team’s and your own internal team’s work to meet deadlines under pressure;
- You will be able to communicate complex issues, verbally, in writing, and through drawings and models, to different audiences;
- You can develop creative solutions such that the interests of different stakeholders are appropriately addressed;
- You are able to hand draw ideas, plans and details confidently in design discussions;
- You understand physical model-making and are able to direct the team to explore ideas efficiently.
Benefits
- Competitive salary and performance related bonus;
- Profit share bonus scheme;
- Competitive workplace pension;
- Training (formal and informal);
- Annual office trip;
- Tickets to evening lectures;
- Friday lunches and evening drinks.
How to Apply
Applications should be made through the practice’s online job board at https://davidkohn.bamboohr.com/jobs/ and requires:
- Upload a brief cover letter addressed to David Kohn explaining why you are interested in the role and your availability;
- Upload a CV or resume detailing any relevant experience and qualifications;
- Provide a link to your online portfolio (up to 10 sides of A4) showing images and drawings of key previous projects and personal work (make sure the link is not password protected or has an expiration date);
- If you are offered the position, you will need to provide proof of your eligibility to work in the UK.
We will only be able to enter into correspondence with shortlisted candidates; Direct applications, no recruitment agencies please.
David Kohn Architects is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
Senior Architect Summer / Winter 2025 in London employer: David Kohn Architects Ltd
David Kohn Architects is an exceptional employer located in Camden Town, North London, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration. With a strong commitment to sustainability and carbon-negative futures, employees are encouraged to lead high-profile projects while benefiting from competitive salaries, performance-related bonuses, and opportunities for professional growth through training and engaging office activities. Join a practice renowned for its design excellence and be part of a team that values innovation and community impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Architect Summer / Winter 2025 in London
✨Get Your Portfolio Game On Point
As an aspiring architect, your portfolio is your golden ticket. Make sure it's not just a collection of your best work, but tells a story about your design process and creative thought. Showcase a range of projects, from conceptual sketches to final renderings—think of it as a visual CV!
✨Slide into Networking Events
Architecture thrives on community connections, so keep an eye out for local architecture meetups, exhibitions, and lectures. These events are gold for meeting industry professionals, and who knows? You might just bump into someone from David Kohn Architects Ltd who can give you the insider scoop on their hiring process!
✨Learn the Software Inside Out
Make sure you're up to speed with design software like AutoCAD, Revit, and SketchUp. Being able to discuss your proficiency during interviews can really set you apart. Plus, if you can mention particular projects where you’ve used them, you’ll demonstrate both skill and practical experience.
✨Refine Your Interview Skills
Interviews for architecture roles can get quite technical, so practice answering questions about your design process and decision-making strategies. Prepare for potential design challenges they might put forward in interviews—show them you can think on your feet and come up with innovative solutions!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Architect Summer / Winter 2025 in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Design Skills:Architecture is all about creativity and technical skills, so make sure your portfolio is front and centre! Include a range of your best projects, showcasing different styles and techniques. Don't forget to explain your design process and the challenges you overcame for each project – it gives hiring managers a glimpse into your thought process!
Tailor Your CV to Architecture:When putting together your CV, highlight relevant experience in architectural design software, like AutoCAD or Revit. Plus, if you have any internships or coursework that involved real-world projects, be sure to mention them. We want to see not just what you've done, but how it relates directly to this role at David Kohn Architects Ltd!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to David Kohn Architects Ltd. Talk about specific projects or values of theirs you admire, and how you see yourself contributing to their team. We want to feel your enthusiasm – let it shine through your words!
Use Professional Terminology:Don't shy away from using industry-specific jargon that demonstrates your expertise! Terms like 'sustainability', 'scale', and 'aesthetics' can not only show your knowledge but also help you connect with the hiring team. Just ensure it's done in a way that's relatable and not overly technical, so we can see your passion clearly!
How to prepare for a job interview at David Kohn Architects Ltd
✨Master the Technical Questions
In an architecture interview, be ready to tackle some technical questions about building codes, design principles, and software like AutoCAD or Revit. Brush up on your knowledge of materials and components, as you might even face scenarios to solve during the interview that showcase your problem-solving skills in real-time.
✨Bring Your Portfolio to Life
Your portfolio is your golden ticket! Make sure it not only showcases your best work but also highlights your design thinking process, from sketches to final outputs. During the interview, be prepared to discuss the projects in detail—what challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and what you learnt.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Sustainability
In today's architecture landscape, sustainability is key. Be sure to highlight any projects that involved eco-friendly designs or your understanding of sustainable practices. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the trends but are genuinely passionate about creating a better future through your designs.
✨Engage with Your Interviewers
Architecture is a collaborative field, so showing that you're a team player is essential. When conversing with the interviewers, actively listen and respond to their ideas. This isn’t just about you showing off your skills, but also about connecting and demonstrating how well you’d fit into their team at David Kohn Architects Ltd.
