Urban Studio Designer

David Baker Architects is a collaborative team of optimistic designers and architects committed to leading with expertise, curiosity, tenacity, pragmatism, and joy. We are national leaders in affordable housing and innovative sustainable design, and we pursue projects that have the power to build, transform, and reflect the character and strength of a community. We understand that designing climate-responsive housing is more than pursuing a zero carbon building, and that the context of community development, infrastructure and social equity drive the impact of a project.

As a B-Corp and JUST-certified organization, we are committed to equity and social justice both in our practice and our workplace culture. DBA is headquartered in San Francisco, with an office and fabrication shop in Oakland, California, and a growing base in Birmingham, Alabama.
DBA’s Urban Design Studio provides a unique opportunity to work at both the urban and architectural scale. The Urban Studio Designer has the opportunity to develop and grow DBA_Urban. This includes supporting projects through all stages, developing relationships with new and existing clients, preparing and presenting proposals for projects. The candidate will have a background in both architecture and urban design, be well-versed in housing rules of thumb, and be comfortable supporting projects as the primary client point of contact. This role will help develop strategies for our urban scale work, and work may extend to the architectural scale that arises from our urban design and planning work: DBA doesn’t just plan neighborhoods, we often design the buildings within them.

Responsibilities

• Act as the main point of contact for urban design projects, managing projects from inception through conclusion
  
• Create and deliver proposal presentations at formal design reviews
  
• Conduct site and neighborhood analysis, test fits, and vision planning
  
• Facilitate project kickoff, and manage timelines throughout all phases of the project
  
• Plan and lead community meetings
  
• Create iterative site plan sketches for projects with Principal input
  
• Coordinate with other staff throughout the production process
  
• Evaluate prospective urban design projects for feasibility
  
• Conduct zoning analysis and execute land use and urban design evaluation to identify development project opportunities; prepare planning studies
  
• Ensure adherence to relevant local, regional, state, and/or federal regulations, as well as DBA design requirements
  
• May include preparing design guidelines for open space, building form, project review and site planning
  
• Prepare site layouts as well as land subdivision plans for industrial, residential, tourist, and mixed use developments.
  
• Perform site plus context evaluation and identify opportunities along with constraints to maximize good urban design potential.
  
• Support team members on urban planning concepts, standards, and design
  
• Grow to share and speak on behalf of DBA and/or clients at public meetings or conferences
  
• Develop and present plans to partners, decision makers, and other relevant stakeholders
  
• Help pursue business development opportunities
  

• 4-6 years of professional experience in Architecture and/or Urban Design
  
• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Urban Design, or Architecture
  
• Knowledge of and experience in urban design planning, including a track record of shaping, directing and delivering large scale projects
  
• Multifamily housing experience is strongly preferred - particularly with affordable housing communities
  
• Strong design skills and graphic sensibility
  
• Effectiveness in visual communication, including both internal and external communication
  
• Ability to work autonomously and in team settings to drive projects to completion
  
• 3 years min. of Revit Experience
  
• Zoning analysis experience
  
• Strong Adobe Suite skills
  

• Masters degree in Urban Design
  
• Project tracking and fee proposal experience
  
• Hand-sketching skills
  
• Previous work in Bay Area jurisdictions
  
• LEED AP or GA
  
• Actively involved in ULI, AIA and APA, and maintains current knowledge of trends, laws, and regulations in the industry
  

This is a full-time position and candidates located in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles Area, or Birmingham, Alabama are strongly preferred. May be open to remote opportunities for the right candidate. Our firm is extremely collaborative, working across offices as one seamless team. Currently the majority of staff are following a hybrid model of 3 days in-office and remote work. DBA has had success with this hybrid model and plans to support a flexible approach to work indefinitely. Salary commensurate with experience.

Benefits
We are proud to provide an inclusive and positive work environment that fosters employee happiness. All full-time employees are eligible for the following benefits:

• 11 paid holidays
  
• Competitive medical, dental, vision, and FSA / DCFSA plans
  
• Subscription to Modern Health which includes 12 therapy sessions and 12 virtual coaching sessions
  
• Bike & car share memberships
  
• Commuter benefits
  
• Office well-being: weekly culture lunches, healthy snacks, and monthly massages
  
• Annual staff retreat
  

Paid Leaves

• 15 days of annual PTO, increasing after 5 & 10 years
  
• Up to 18 weeks of paid Maternity Leave (in conjunction with state offering)
  
• Up to 8 weeks of paid Paternity Leave (in conjunction with state offering)
  
• School Visitation Leave
  
• Bereavement Leave
  

Retirement / Savings

• 401(k) program
  
• Profit-sharing plan
  
• 529 College Savings Plan
  

Professional Growth

• Mentorship opportunities
  
• Learning and development stipend of $1000 annually
  
• Reimbursement for Licensure and Certifications
  
• Opportunity to attend design conferences annually

Please Note: At this time DBA cannot offer sponsorship for employment.
If you are interested in this position, and meet the minimum requirements, we highly encourage you to apply or to connect with us to learn more about this role. 

Thank you for your interest in our firm and we look forward to your application.