Top Down Chaos - Architect Olson Kundig Employee Review

1.0
Oct 15, 2024
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Most of the designs are beautiful.

Cons

The firm has rushed into unchecked growth within the Seattle location as well as expanded to two other major cities in the past few years. It hasn't been able to break down the scale, or really track individuals within, so people with the same titles have very different experiences. If you're lucky you'll come into a team that you can grow, learn and develop your skills with. Maybe be staffed on two projects that you can balance your time between realistically. If you're unlucky you'll be staffed on 4-5 projects and more or less be on your own in terms of finding the best path forward for each. Sort of feels like navigating blindfolded. Most leaders are too busy with meetings to provide much insight or to learn from. In my opinion the design leads have convinced themselves that that they are able to maintain their workload just fine. In reality there is a massive inefficiency that they don't seem to be aware of, and most often than not they are a decision bottleneck. You can't be an effective leader if you are unable to read emails, limit your involvement to a project to a brief weekly touch-base, and have to schedule times to go to the bathroom. This is what I mean by the title of "top down chaos". I imagine at one point it was a very collaborative firm that fostered growth/invested in the staff. Currently feels impersonal and inefficient which just adds a lot of unnecessary stress to an already stressful profession. Again maybe you'll have a better experience, but if you aren't one of the few chosen "favorites" you're really going to be on your own.

Explore other reviews about Olson Kundig

5.0
Sep 11, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Very professional, friendly, and talented group of people to work with. Everyone in the office, at all levels, is very approachable and collaborative.

Cons

Nothing, aside from occasional late nights.

2.0
Jul 16, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Some interesting projects in the office; well-resourced firm; many of the people were great to work with.

Cons

No clear path for career growth; poor compensation, no effective salary increase in over 4 years of employment; lack of transparency around hiring/firing.

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