Project Architect - Vertically Integrated Housing Studio (Oakland, CA)

Feb 12

Location: Oakland, CA (On-Site, 5 Days/Week)
Compensation: $90,000–$140,000
Start: ASAP

A Different Kind of Architecture Practice

This is not a traditional architecture firm.

We are a vertically integrated real estate development, design, and construction platform focused exclusively on 100% affordable multifamily housing. Our mission is simple: deliver housing faster and at dramatically lower cost — without compromising design quality or technical rigor.

Instead of operating in silos (developer vs. architect vs. GC), we operate as one integrated team. We are building a standardized, componentized delivery system that includes:

Repeatable unit types and building layouts
Prefabricated and mass timber components
Centralized BIM production across disciplines
Early-stage clash detection and digital twin modeling
Automation tools to compress delivery timelines

Our goal is to start construction on thousands of affordable housing units across California in the coming years.

If you are excited by systems, scale, and real-world impact — this will feel very different from a conventional design studio.

To view this job and apply, click here.

The Role

This position is titled Project Architect, but in reality it is a hybrid Project Architect / Project Manager role.

You will not just produce drawings. You will own the project.

You will manage projects from early feasibility through Construction Administration, while coordinating:

Internal production teams (including overseas modeling teams)
Local Architects of Record in various jurisdictions
Engineers and consultants
Development and construction partners

You will work on medium-scale multifamily housing (often 5+ stories), primarily under the 4% Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program. These projects operate under tight timelines — often requiring construction to begin within 6–7 months of funding award.

This is fast-paced, execution-heavy work.

If you prefer long conceptual phases and slow-moving approvals, this is not that environment.

If you want to see housing delivered in months instead of years — this is.

What You’ll Actually Be Doing

Early Phase

Conduct zoning analysis and feasibility studies
Perform test fits and space planning
Develop residential layouts (typical floors, parking, ground floor programs)
Validate proformas against design realities

Mid to Late Phase

Manage local Architects of Record (entitlements, permitting, CA)
Coordinate engineers and consultants
Oversee centralized production modeling (Revit)
Ensure QA/QC of drawing packages
Run weekly coordination meetings
Maintain schedule discipline under aggressive timelines

Ongoing

Learn and apply standardized building systems
Advise on prefabricated and componentized assemblies
Support automation-driven production workflows
Take ownership of outcomes — not just tasks

Who Thrives Here

This role is ideal for an architect who:

Has 5+ years of experience on multifamily or similarly complex projects
Understands projects from concept through CA
Can operate autonomously without daily hand-holding
Is comfortable making decisions under time pressure
Thinks critically instead of following convention blindly
Is curious about improving how architecture gets delivered

Licensure is not required — but proactive, growth-oriented professionals tend to rise quickly here.

Affordable housing experience is a plus. Multifamily is strongly preferred. Experience in hospitality or healthcare can translate well. Primarily single-family residential experience will not.

Technical Expectations

Strong proficiency in Revit (non-negotiable)
Experience with medium-scale multifamily projects
Comfort with zoning analysis and programming
Familiarity with California codes and municipalities is a plus
Exposure to prefab, mass timber, or industrialized systems is a plus (not required)
Bluebeam required
Procore / Autodesk Build helpful but learnable

The Environment

~10-person team in Oakland
Highly collaborative and in-office 5 days/week
Fast-moving, high-accountability culture
Vertically integrated with development and construction
No traditional architect vs. GC antagonism
Real ownership over results

You will not hide inside a large corporate structure.
You will be visible.
Your work will matter.

Why This Is Different

Most architects spend years coordinating across fragmented teams, waiting on funding cycles, and navigating adversarial relationships between stakeholders.

Here, you are part of the entire system.

You see how financing decisions affect design.
You see how detailing affects fabrication.
You see how coordination affects schedule and cost.

And you help improve the system itself.

If you want to practice architecture as an integrated operator — not just a drawing producer — this is that opportunity.

Compensation & Benefits

$90,000–$140,000 (commensurate with experience)
Project equity / promote participation
Medical, dental, vision
401K (no employer match)
PTO, holidays, sick leave
Commuter benefits
FSA