Learned a lot, but there is a gap between management and employees - Recensione dipendente - Junior Designer presso SPF Architects

I've really enjoyed my first few months here. It's a great place for people with a self-starter attitude. You will of course be given tasks to perform, but if you feel there's an opportunity area where you can make an impact, your ideas are welcomed and initiative appreciated. I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in opening up their own practice someday. The culture is not corporate at all which is a big plus for me too.

There is a high standard of rigor in the design and beyond, which is hard at times but great for your career in the balance.

Limited positives that do not outweigh the overall experience.

This was one of the most psychologically damaging work environments I have experienced. The culture lacked basic psychological safety, accountability, and professional boundaries, creating conditions that were deeply harmful rather than merely challenging. Management reacted with public verbal aggression without first seeking to understand workload, responsibilities, or completed work. Performance was never discussed; instead, conclusions were drawn solely based on what an employee was seen doing at a single moment. Profanity was used publicly in reference to professional licensure study (“ARE”), which is widely regarded as a legitimate and serious part of professional development in this field. The language and tone used crossed basic professional boundaries. When clarification could have resolved the situation, direct supervision chose to align with senior management rather than assess the situation from a fair and objective standpoint, reinforcing the accusation instead of providing context. No meaningful support, accountability, or constructive follow-up was offered afterward. The harm caused was not limited to a single incident. The psychological impact of this environment was severe and difficult to recover from, with effects that extended beyond the workplace itself.