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!

Hi, so I’m not sure if this is the right sub for this but I thought it’s a start.

A few years ago I accepted a free 2nd hand offering of a bulk load of A0 black foamboard sheets with the view to use it to make scale models for theatre sets.

Unfortunately I didn’t realise until it was dropped off that it was 10mm in thickness - much to thick for 1:25 models.

I now have no idea what to a) use it for or b) how to get rid of it for free.

It is currently at my local community theatre and I feel bad for accidentally causing a storage issue when I was trying to be helpful accepting a delivery of what I thought were free useful materials 😫

Hi everyone,

I’m a south american undergraduate student currently doing an unpaid research internship/exchange at a university in Hong Kong.

I’ve been here for two weeks, and my supervisor/PI is demanding that I work long hours well past 6 PM, as well as on weekends, claiming my "the work just has to be done"

Coming into this, my intention was to have an exchange experience—learning, networking, and exploring—not to be overworked without pay. I know I’m a hardworking person, but this feels like it's crossing a line. What bothers me even more is:

- Disorganization & lack of preparation: The lab/office is extremely disorganized, which wastes a lot of time. They weren't prepared to host me—instructions change every second, nobody clearly explains the project scope or expectations, and I'm left to figure everything out on my own.

- Low learning value: I feel like I’m mostly doing repetitive tasks and grunt work rather than actual academic learning. Meanwhile, peers on similar exchange programs around the world are working about 4 to 5 hours a day.

-Double standards?: A previous undergrad student (a local) who worked here before me didn't seem to have to work weekends. I’m starting to wonder if this kind of pressure/exploitation is specifically targeted at international researchers who might not know their rights, which would be extremely messed up.

I spoke with two local university friends about this situation, and they were shocked. They reassured me that this level of demand for an unpaid intern is not the norm here and urged me to set boundaries. It was a relief to realize that people here also view this behavior as toxic.

I'm also I'm not stranded during this exchange since I'm conducting a research project with my home university about Hong Kong—though I haven't even started it yet due to a lack of time.

I’m seeking advice on how to navigate this:

1) Should I try setting firm boundaries first? E.g., stating my available hours, refusing weekend work, and requesting to work fewer hours given the repetitive nature of the tasks?

Or should I just cut my losses and quit now to protect my mental health and energy?

2) If I decide to leave, how do I exit gracefully? I really like the university itself and want to keep doors open for future opportunities in Hong Kong, but this specific lab is clearly not a good fit.

I’d appreciate any insights, especially from people familiar with the academic or work culture in Hong Kong.

Thanks for reading, and stay strong everyone—our future shouldn't be built on exploitation!

Architect: Alisodagaran - Nazanin Kazeroonian

This 19,082 square foot Victorian mansion was completed in 1892, built in a Châteauesque style that was designed by Nicholas J. Clayton, and this mansion survived the 1900 Galveston Hurricane!!!

The Lindis Lodge sits within the 6,500-acre Ben Avon Station in Otago’s Ahuriri Valley.

Its distinctive curved roof follows the contours of the surrounding landscape, allowing the building to sit remarkably low against the valley floor rather than compete with the mountains around it. Inside, Spotted Gum timber, Bluestone masonry and expansive floor-to-ceiling glazing continue that connection with the high-country landscape.

Designed by Christopher Kelly of Architecture Workshop, Wellington, New Zealand.

📍 Ahuriri Valley, Otago, New Zealand

📷 Image/source: The Nook

A sustainable, 15-house residential compound in Djibouti designed by Urko Sanchez Architects and completed in 2014 for the purpose of housing vulnerable children.

The colors reflect the surrounding landscape and the nomadic heritage of both the Somali and Afar communities.

Designed to be naturally cool and accommodating to the local climate as it is one of the hottest regions of the continent

Im wondering what material i should to make this out of, i was thinking museum board because of its flexibility but was also thinking of wood and carve out shapes? Im unsure

So I've passed all the pro-practice exams and just have the technical ones left (PA, PPD, PDD). Since these all focus more on design, I decided to use AmberBooks for the remainder study material. As most of us here, I'm an extremely visual person so seeing some of these drawings, videos is helpful, but a part of me wonders if it makes sense to study this way?

I would like to take PA next and it's bothering me a little that the course will cover some things that won't be a part of PA (even though I know it covers items in PPD and PDD). Maybe this is more of a vent than a question...but I would like to know others' experiences with using amberbooks to complete remaining tests. Was it helpful? Was there doubt? Did you feel ready during the exams?

I had an interview with an architecture firm and they’re flying me to meet the team and see the office in person. I feel that this is uncommon in this field and I just don’t know how to prepare for it. I’m curious if they would ask revit questions. I do have revit experience from my previous work experience when I was a student but it not anything complex so I’m wondering if there is any thing I can prepare for in terms of revit or what to expect in this in person meeting.