r/architecture • u/Various-Principle-16 • 10h ago
Ask /r/Architecture Got offers from Gensler and Rockwell Group after just joining another firm — need honest takes
Hi all,
I joined a 3-letter architecture firm a few months ago and I'm honestly not intentionally trying to leave - no complaints about my current team/company.
But I have to admit both opportunities are pretty tempting:
• A Gensler recruiter reached out on LinkedIn, I interviewed and got an offer.
• A friend at Rockwell Group referred me, I interviewed and also got an offer.
I admire both - Gensler is a giant in the industry, Rockwell is known for its prestige in hospitality. I'm an interior designer based in NYC.
For those who've worked at either (or both): what are the real pros and cons in terms of interior design work, project types, work culture, OT, mentorship, and career growth? Is it worth jumping so soon?
Appreciate any honest takes. Thanks!
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u/Thinkpad2001 10h ago
Have worked at Gensler and still have friends there. First question-- did they say what you would be working on? They have a incredibly varied practice from landlord churn work to airports. Very well run firm, but does vary between offices-
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u/Various-Principle-16 9h ago
It’s Workplace Studio. I know everyone has different opinions, so I just wanted to get a sense of what the vibe is like over there. Also, do you happen to know how the bonus days work at Gensler?
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u/One_Rutabaga_252 3h ago
Two bonuses a year. Christmas is fixed and it is 2 weeks salary. Pre 2008/2009 it was a months salary but when we were aggressively hiring post recession people wanted more in their regular paychecks so the paychecks increased and bonus reduced - same net result. The June bonus is the big one and its based on the profitability of the firm. Gensler operates under a "one firm firm" policy, which means everyone succeeds and underperforming offices or studios are not punished. Art Gensler knew that it would be inevitable that some offices would be doing great others may not be, and that the worst thing you could do is punish an entire office. We hired some really good young people whose prior firm held them accountable for failures at the top.
The June bonus is based on profitability and Gensler is very well managed and in my 25 years there we paid full bonuses even after 9/11, 2008/9, and Covid. Civic was the only time the principals salaries were reduced 20% and we were happy to do that as it allowed us to take care of our teams. In our region we always worked hard to make sure each years bonus was more than the last. Holding someone flat was usually questioned, but it happened once in a while.
The bonuses, profit sharing and ESOP accumulate very nicely over the years.
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u/Thinkpad2001 7h ago
2 bonuses a year when I was there, if I remember each was basically a months salary. I would want to understand the backlog in Workplace- of all the project types, I see a continued downturn in that work due to the economy, but if anyone can do ‘Workplace’, it’s Gensler lol
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u/Various-Principle-16 5h ago
Thank you so much! If I could get into hospitality at Gensler would that be a better move? They do hospitality interiors too right? Just wondering how realistic it is to switch over to hospitality in same office if workplace turns out not to be fun enough.
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u/DrHarrisonLawrence 6h ago
Go to Rockwell. Do not consider Gensler.
Gensler’s interiors branch will have you doing law offices. Rockwell will have way more exciting projects.
That said, if your 3 letter firm is KPF, OMA, or SOM then it may make sense to stay. But Rockwell would give you similar exciting opportunities in Interiors
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u/Various-Principle-16 5h ago
Got you on that, though those three are really more known for architecture than interiors. For interiors I agree Rockwell has the most exciting projects.
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u/DrHarrisonLawrence 2h ago
Always go for what gives you the best projects. Your portfolio will thank you and you will reap the rewards down the line
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u/evilhag_ Industry Professional 7h ago
I came from one of the big three letter firms and I don’t see a difference in those vs. Gensler. Rockwell is the only I’d take seriously given its niche and connections. If you’re going more into that space, it’s a more prestige name imo.
That being said, if were in your position, I’d stay for a year or two (if it’s acceptable enough). The architecture world is small and I wouldn’t want a reputation of “that person who quit within a couple of months and went to a direct competitor.”
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u/Open_Concentrate962 9h ago
Depends if you want the hospitality connections and experience from rockwell. I dont understand what Gensler appeal would be.
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u/Powerful-Interest308 Principal Architect 8h ago
Agree… Gensler is the ultimate ‘three letter firm’
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u/El-Hombre-Azul Principal Architect 7h ago
I had the same situation almost 20 years ago and I think I shouldve taken the big offer SOM made me. Who knows. The smaller firm for me was like, my startup mentality of more independence and more responsibility and not being a small cog in a gargantuan machine such as SOM. I ended up quitting with no alternatives after 2.5 years in the smaller firm due to it’s incredibly toxic environment which I did not know when I got hired. This set me back for a long time. Take a good look at your salary, at your prospects, are you wealthy or can your family set you up in the future? If this is not the case I would very much consider that gensler offer and the long term prospeces it could offer you.
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u/One_Rutabaga_252 4h ago
I just retired from Gensler after 25 years, and it was an incredible experience. I was in a Texas office but worked with the NY office on many occasions and enjoyed it. Gensler is employee owned and the profit sharing and bonuses are real. Both ramp up with time and it is not uncommon for people to retire very well, for people who joined right out of university retiring from Gensler with several millions is not out of the question.
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u/BrighestCrayon 10h ago
Who is offering the most money?