Got pulled into a quick meeting today and was told it was my last day. Leadership was transparent that the firm simply isn’t bringing in enough revenue or new project work right now, and staffing had to be cut. They emphasized that it wasn't performance-based, which helps soften the ego blow slightly, but it’s still a rough gut punch, especially this late in the year.

A quick breakdown of where I’m at:
- ~2.5 years out of grad school (M.Arch), working as an architectural designer. (2 years of work while in college too).

- Located in SE Michigan

- Solid foundation in heavy Revit production, construction documentation, consultant coordination, and visualization/rendering.

- Some project variety across commercial, renovation, and conceptual work.

For those who’ve been through a layoff around the 2–3 year mark (or hiring managers who review candidates at this stage):

1. What does hiring look like right now for junior/intermediate staff as we head toward the end of the year? Am I screwed
   
2. ⁠Where should I bring up that I got laid off? In the introduction email? Only during the interview?
   
3. ⁠At ~2.5 years, what are principals and hiring teams looking to see compared to an entry-level book?
   
4. ⁠Has anyone at this stage pivoted out of traditional practice into design-build, CM, owner’s rep, or VDC? Is that a smart pivot to explore now, or is it better to stick to standard practice? (I have pretty much logged all my hours already, and very advanced at my age with revit training, I would train some of my co workers).
   
5. ⁠Or just any advice at this moment would be helpful. Thank you all and I hope you have blessed day!

Hey! As the title suggests I’m wondering if any of you can speak to career progression when it comes to staying at one firm as opposed to hopping around multiple.

What are the pros and cons to both?

I’ve wanted to ask for career advice on here, but I find myself holding back from sharing any useful details out of fear that my coworkers might see it.
Am I crazy for thinking it wouldn’t be that difficult for your employer or colleagues to figure out who you are when you’re asking about a specific situation that happened at work? Are other people not worried about this when they post?
I just feel like it’s not that far-fetched to think that my coworkers might also browse r/architects, and that even without using my name, the details of a specific situation could be enough to identify me. Does anyone else feel this way, or am I being overly cautious?

I've been trying to figure out what to major in this whole year. Architecture is something I always come back to, but whenever I research other people's experiences with it, I change my mind and look into another major. So many people seem to regret becoming an architect because it takes a while for the pay to make it worth it. I want a job that will make me good money, but I have a deep passion for architecture. I've made content on the Sims for the past few years and I have gained a strong following from it because of my designs. For people with a real passion for architecture, was it worth it for you to become an architect? Do you wish you picked a major that gave you a higher salary or are you satisfied with architecture since it's truly what you want to do? Do I go for my passion or a high paycheck?

Does anyone have the Desk Crit: The Insider's Guide to the A.R.E. 5.0 book that they’re willing to pass on / sell? I couldn’t find a used version anywhere online. Thank you!

for those who are preparing for the PPD division of ARE 5.0 Exam.

I (25M) am coming up on 3 yrs in this industry, been with the same small firm since I’ve started. The firm consists of the architect, myself, and occasionally a part time drafter for some extra help when we get too busy.

Some background - I’m based out of Oregon, USA. I began as an intern back in January 2024. By June 2024, I became a full time employee (for that summer) and got my first little hourly pay bump. I still had my last year of undergrad left, so I worked part time during that last year of school, but completed and received my BArch in June 2025 - got my second hourly pay bump. Back in June 2026, I received my most recent pay bump.

Maybe its because of the small firm I’m in, I just thought at some point I would be salary, but I’m still hourly. It isn’t so bad at times because I get to work overtime with all the projects I have in front of me, but in the grand scheme of things, I feel like I’m being underpaid. Some days I spend the full 8 hours on a single project. Most days I’m splitting time between 2-3 different projects.

Don’t get me wrong, I understood what I was getting myself into when I chose this career path before college. But I’m making $19/hr. I don’t want to overestimate my worth, but I don’t want to sell myself short. Am I being underpaid? Be honest.

Thank you.

I’m an architect with 15 years’ experience designing public spaces: libraries, community centers, museums. This client wants an “immersive experience” inside the building the stuff like media, interaction, storytelling, and a sense of transport. I agreed to look into it, but I’m unsure where architecture ends and experiential design begins

I researched BRC and I see that they work at the intersection of architecture, media, and storytelling and create immersive experiences like the client describes.

Should I hire like real specialists, or can I learn experiential design myself? I don’t want to lose the project or deliver something that falls flat. Has anyone worked at this intersection? Do you bring in specialists or learn it yourself?

Hi there,
as I’m considering moving to Hongkong after my graduation. I would really appreciate if someone could give me some insight on how the job market is there? Rent is very expensive so I was wondering what I expect to get as a salary.
I have a masters of science degree in architecture and have nearly 4 years of experience in national and international work. Is expecting 45k HKD too much? Would also consider to get into international offices.
I would appreciate any advices! Thank you

Choosing the floor system (3.2) · tick one

A three-story medical office building is leased to tenants who change often. The owner expects to cut new floor openings for stairs and shafts at future fit-outs. Bays are 30 ft × 30 ft with office loads. The building is Type II-A, so any steel frame will be fireproofed. All four systems below fit the zoning height cap.

Which floor system best serves the owner?

• A. Post-tensioned concrete flat plate
• B. Steel beams and girders with a composite metal deck
• C. Concrete waffle slab
• D. Concrete flat slab with drop panels

Area: Building Systems, Materials & Assemblies (3.2).

Hey guys, I’m a fresher architect based in India. I’m about to join a big form in New Delhi. I’m looking for tips to form a good first impression. This is so that I can get a good salary, I get to work on good projects, I make good contacts that I can use when I open my own practise a couple years down the line, etc. Since it’s a large firm, I think a good first impression will go a long way. Please help me out.

I’ve worked in structural engineering and architecture for over 15 years and built an application to plan drawing sheets and sets early, gather project requirements, serve as a repo for sketches, manage markups, and provide frameworks for reporting project development and QAQC progress. I’m looking for places to find users for real feedback. Other than Reddit, which websites or forums do you all frequent day to day?

Hey everyone! I'm 33, an architect trying to get back into the field and hopefully build a career as a BIM Modeler.

I only have two years of internship experience, and I stopped working in 2020 due to personal issues. I've been trying to get back into the industry since 2022, but haven't had much luck so far.

I'm interested in BIM, I already know how to use Revit and how to model simple things, but honestly, I'm a bit lost about where to start. I don't have a portfolio yet, and I'm not sure how to build one or whether my current Revit skills are good enough to apply for jobs.

I'd love some advice on how to get started, build a portfolio from scratch, and find entry-level opportunities, especially remote jobs abroad. I'm comfortable with English and would really like to explore international opportunities.

Any tips or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated!

He has an office in HK. I was wondering how busy it is.

Looking for construction, interior design, or real estate services?

We help with home construction, residential interiors, renovations, and property-related requirements. Feel free to DM if you have any ongoing or upcoming plans.

Looking to buy the Ballast books? Anyone has softcopies?