Design That Does More.
At A3C Collaborative Architecture, sustainability isn't an add-on to good design. It's part of how we've approached architecture from the beginning.
Since 1983, we've partnered with clients to create responsive, sustainable solutions, bringing together architecture, interior design, technical expertise, environmental stewardship, and a collaborative approach.
Our work spans healthcare, education, municipal, corporate, community, and institutional environments. Every project starts with the same question:
How can we make this work better - for the people who use it and for the world around it?
Sustainability Is Part of the Design.
Our sustainable design experience spans early passive and active solar strategies, earth-tempering, and super-insulated buildings through today's LEED, Net Zero Energy, geothermal, solar, green roof, stormwater management, commissioning, and high-performance building solutions.
We consider energy, materials, performance, longevity, people, and place. Our portfolio reflects that thinking, from LEED educational facilities and Net Zero concepts to healthcare, municipal, and community spaces designed around people's well-being.
Collaboration Is More Than Our Name.
The best ideas get better when people challenge them. We welcome architects and design professionals who ask questions, care about details, share their knowledge, and explore different solutions.
You'll collaborate with clients, consultants, architects, designers, and technical professionals from the first conversation through construction - and have a voice in the process.
Bring Your Experience. And Your Ideas.
Lead projects, build client relationships, mentor developing professionals, and explore sustainable solutions. Help shape where A3C goes next.
If you're looking for a practice where collaboration, sustainability, technical quality, and thoughtful design influence the work, we'd like to meet you.
Job Description
The Senior Architect is responsible for the following:
Architectural Design & Technical Leadership
- Lead complex architectural projects from concept development through detailed design, construction, and close-out.
- Serve as a senior technical resource, providing architectural leadership and direction throughout project delivery.
- Lead preparation and review of drawings, specifications, technical reports, design documents, and permit/tender packages.
- Ensure compliance with building codes, accessibility and zoning requirements, industry standards, and client requirements.
- Resolve complex design, code, coordination, and constructability issues using professional judgment and technical expertise.
Project & Multidisciplinary Coordination
- Act as the architectural discipline lead on assigned multidisciplinary projects.
- Coordinate architectural requirements with structural, mechanical, electrical, civil, interior design, and other disciplines to deliver integrated solutions.
- Lead and participate in design reviews, coordination meetings, and project planning sessions.
- Coordinate drawings, specifications, schedules, and deliverables to identify and resolve conflicts.
- Identify design, constructability, coordination, schedule, and scope concerns and work with the Project Manager and team to resolve them.
- Manage multiple projects and priorities while maintaining quality and meeting deadlines.
Team Leadership & Mentorship
- Provide direction to architects, designers, technologists, and CAD/BIM staff.
- Assign and coordinate tasks based on project priorities, schedules, deliverables, and resources.
- Review team members' work for technical accuracy, quality, coordination, and compliance.
- Mentor and coach intermediate and junior staff.
- Promote collaboration, accountability, communication, and knowledge sharing within the team and across disciplines.
Client & Stakeholder Coordination
- Represent the architectural discipline in a client-facing role throughout project delivery.
- Lead and participate in client meetings, design presentations, project updates, and technical discussions.
- Understand client objectives, functional requirements, design priorities, and concerns.
- Build effective relationships with clients, consultants, contractors, authorities having jurisdiction, and other stakeholders.
- Clearly communicate design concepts, technical requirements, project considerations, and recommendations to technical and non-technical audiences.
- Support the Project Manager in managing client expectations, changes, and project communication.
Construction Administration & Project Close-Out
- Lead architectural construction administration and provide technical support throughout construction.
- Review and process submittals, shop drawings, Requests for Information (RFIs), substitutions, and other construction documentation.
- Coordinate responses with engineering disciplines, consultants, and project team members.
- Conduct site reviews and field observations to assess general conformance with drawings, specifications, and project requirements.
- Collaborate with contractors, consultants, clients, and engineering teams to resolve field conditions, design changes, and construction issues.
- Lead architectural close-out activities, including deficiency reviews, documentation, and outstanding-item resolution.
Project Management & Financial Support
- Lead smaller projects or assume project management responsibilities as assigned.
- Support Project Managers on larger projects through planning, scheduling, coordination, and deliverable monitoring.
- Help develop and monitor architectural scopes, schedules, budgets, fees, and resource requirements.
- Monitor progress and communicate concerns or changes affecting scope, schedule, or budget.
- Assist with subconsultant scope development, coordination, and cost estimating.
- Support construction cost estimating, value engineering, and evaluation of design alternatives.
- Identify scope changes and assess impacts on fees, schedules, resources, and deliverables.
Business Development & Proposals
- Support business development through technical expertise, client relationships, and understanding of market needs.
- Contribute architectural scopes, fee estimates, schedules, project approaches, and technical content to proposals.
- Participate in client presentations, interviews, and project pursuits.
- Identify opportunities to expand services with existing clients and contribute to new client relationships.
Job Requirements
Education & Professional Designation
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture.
- Valid Registered Architect (RA) license in the State of Michigan.
Experience
- Minimum 10 years of progressive architectural design and project experience.
- Experience in a consulting architecture and engineering environment, working with multidisciplinary teams to deliver coordinated design solutions.
- Experience leading architectural design and coordination through design and construction on complex commercial, institutional, industrial, or similar building projects.
- Healthcare architecture experience, including planning, design, documentation, and project delivery, is an asset.
- Experience with active or occupied facilities, particularly healthcare environments requiring phased construction and coordination with ongoing operations, is an asset.
- Experience designing religious and faith-based facilities is an asset.
Codes, Standards & Technical Knowledge
- Strong knowledge of building codes, accessibility, life safety, zoning regulations, and architectural design standards.
- Ability to independently interpret and apply codes, regulations, specifications, and design requirements.
- Strong understanding of architectural principles, construction methods, materials, detailing, and constructability.
- Ability to review architectural and multidisciplinary drawings, specifications, and documentation for accuracy, coordination, and compliance.
- Knowledge of healthcare planning, healthcare-specific codes, regulatory requirements, and compliance processes is an asset.
Software & Technical Skills
- Proficiency in Revit/BIM for design, documentation, and multidisciplinary coordination.
- Proficiency with architectural design, visualization, documentation, and collaboration tools.
- Advanced skills in Microsoft Office Suite and related programs.
Project & People Skills
- Ability to coordinate across disciplines and provide technical direction, design leadership, and mentorship.
- Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, deadlines, and technical requirements.
- Strong problem-solving skills to resolve architectural, technical, coordination, constructability, and regulatory issues.
- Experience working with clients, consultants, contractors, and authorities having jurisdiction.
- Excellent written and oral communication, interpersonal, organizational, and leadership skills.
- Professional discipline, initiative, integrity, and the ability to work independently and within a collaborative team.
Salary is based on experience.
Equal Opportunity & Accommodation
Ann Arbor Collaborative Architecture (A3C) is an equal opportunity employer that welcomes and encourages applications from all candidates. We are committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under governmental laws and regulations.
- Accommodations are available upon request for candidates participating in the recruitment, selection, and onboarding process.
