Pluspunten
Access to interesting and complex project types with space to take on more responsibility; no ceiling to advancement. I joined RSS as a Part 2 and was supported through my Part 3 (successfully!) with one-on-one weekly input from a senior architect, lengthy reviews of PEDRs with the Director, and general support for the process. Unlike other practices, the company enthusiastically supports those seeking their Part 3. I'm very grateful for that. I had access to project experience through many RIBA stages during my time there; I wasn't resourced to just one type of work at one stage, again really great for Part 3. The practice is known for a high level of detailed design work through the construction stage so I had on-site responsibilities with great learning opportunities including working with listed buildings, higher education clients, new-build and refurbishment, modular and traditional. They are open to new technology and it is a good place to work to further BIM experience. I was invited to join the BIM User Group to troubleshoot issues and eventually joined the BIM Working Group to roll out company-wide practices. I had rudimentary Revit skills initially, and was given time to develop; ultimately I was responsible for BIM Level 2 project development and left the practice quite seasoned. They still have CAD and it's used for smaller, projects on short deadlines but a general move towards BIM was encouraging. The team is lovely, a great bunch of highly knowledgeable and friendly people work there. The balance between meeting deliverables and being disciplined with office hours was great. I rarely worked past my contracted hours (less than 5 times in 1.5 years) and was never expected to do so. While that should be an industry standard it's not always the case with architecture practices, good job RSS!
Minpunten
The location isn't great but I hear they're moving to Whitechapel soon.