We're hiring. Please write your own job description:

After four years Spark Architecture is getting more and more work, and needs your help. We've moved from the occasional bigger education project, and many odds-and-ends projects into the residential market. Not the millionaire's and starter-castle segment, but the +/- $200k market. Instead of frowning and mourning the quality or non-existance of those new homes, we're dedicating ourselves to the challenge of doing a better job. What a learning curve! Can it be done? Good design has many faces, some obvious from pretty pictures, others more hidden such as many sustainability driven design strategies, or the overall impact on a given neighborhood.
We have a couple townhouse neighborhoods on our boards, as well as a few single family residential projects.  A couple potential multifamily developments are on the horizon. And we need your help to make these projects the very best they can be.

How to write your own job description:
(switching into first person singular here, Sophia speaking)

I've seen incredible talent go to waste by folks being pushed to do things they really did not care about, or to work under logistically not so great circumstances. You've probably met them:

• The amazing Designer promoted to be project manager and stuck in endless meetings. The  introverted Geek expected to attend public functions as the face of the firm.
• The talented young graduate or intern pigeon-holed into cheap labor tasks instead of tapping into his skills.
• The experienced guy retiring because he's tired of PM BS instead of mentoring and sharing his experience with the new kids.
• The burnt-out newly (or almost) licensed kid that quits architecture and lives on an organic farm instead (of course that's cool too!). 
• The woman that quits to have a family, or doesn't have a family because her career seems too demanding.

I want to create the opportunity to align your skills and lifestyle preferences with your work. What those skills are, and whether that means working part time or from home,  incorporating sabbaticals, only you can say.

I'm confident that we can find great use for your talent, whether you're a design-, accountant-, PR-, PM-, graphics-, code-, Revit-, lighting-, landscape-, detailer-,  interiors-, construction-, visualization-, financial-, specifications-, legal-, or you-name-it sage (or aspiring sage).

Company Culture:
Spark Architecture is just starting to grow, so you will make a big impact on what our culture may become. A few things that are likely to stick around:

• Don't panic. I'm the kid that had to move out of studio because all the frantic panic and all-nighter heroism just made me unable to focus. A little stress here and there is good and part of our profession, but weekends and nights should be an exception to the rule instead of gold star points. No martyr mentality encouraged here. // If you've read this far you won't be surprised that I'm also a mother of two little ones, and a Yoga teacher for fun//
• Blame everyone else. Just kidding! I have a real hard time with folks that constantly complain about their circumstances or others behind their back, point fingers, or blame others. At the same time I encourage positive confrontation, which means a culture where questioning proposed designs, office culture, habits, and solutions is a good thing, and your annoyance with me or anyone else is voiced right away before it can build up into a stomach ache. Read Barbara Pachter if you're curious on how to do that, I had to learn it too.
• Live. Seriously. No count-down to retirement. It will be a challenge to put this into practice, but I get really excited about creating an opportunity to live a good life, whatever that means for you. I love Patagonias company culture - go surfing (fishing) when the fishing is good, and work the rest of the day. Initially we may not be able to offer high salaries, but we can offer flexibility. As we grow benefits and salaries should come along. 

Great Falls:
If you already live here I hope you share my appreciation for this place, and what it might become. I grew up in Europe, traveled the world, and spent a decade in the 6+M Phoenix Metro Area. I still enjoy traveling and visiting those places, but Great Falls is a great place to live. You can afford to buy a historic building downtown, or acres for a hobby farm a few miles out of town. We have great schools. Great Falls is just starting to wake up, and you/we can be part of it. We still need more bike and pedestrian friendly areas, and I'm waiting for a few more good dining choices, but things are happening. Yes, it gets windy, but we also get lots of sunshine and blue skies. Did I mention the truly un-crowded mountains, lakes, and rivers nearby?

If you're not ready to make the move to Great Falls, but live in Montana we can try a remote-work arrangement. We have one person out of state, but that is currently limited to "unsupervised" contractor/consultant relationships.

Send me a note:
Any suggestions, ideas, and interest in working or collaborating? It could be a summer internship, a part time job, a mentorship in either direction, or a path to ownership. When you first reach out feel free to include links to your work, but don't include file attachments. I look forward to hearing from you! Sophia@Spark-Architecture.com

Cheers,
Sophia

"Architect seeks beer garden (client/owner) for Great Falls"

I may be biased through my German upbringing, with beer gardens in every village, on every farm, in every other back yard,  on top of most castles, and along every lake, river, and creek. Beer gardens are generally family friendly, inviting the community to take a break. They feature simple but fresh menus, often with breakfast and lunch specials. There are garden elements such as trees, flowers, lawns or fountains, and it's common to have a play zone for little ones. Coffee drinks and "Saftschorle" (half juice, half soda water) are as common as the beverage giving these places it's name. Office workers cherish an outdoor lunch opportunity as much as weekend warriors.

As an architect, I wish I could wave my magic wand, and turn these environments into reality. To be honest, our powers turn out to be rather limited. We can design buildings, work with banks, builders, and owners to create or update a variety of spaces. But even the greatest space depends on organizations to own and operate them. Individuals such as owners of tenant businesses, chefs and service staff impact the overall success of a project as much as the architect. But even with all those in place, a space only comes to life with us, the community.  

This post wouldn't be complete without reference to some of the places around town that already come close to the spirit of a beer garden. Machinery Row is a cool historic building on 202 2nd Ave S, and houses a number of tenants including a sandwich restaurant (Staggering Ox), a Pizza place in the works,  as well as two bars. Tucked to the side, it features a great little side yard, that occasionally  fills up with music and people, transforming it into a true beer garden. Visit some of their concerts or open mic nights, and you'll get a taste of it.  The Front and  MacKenzie River also offer nice outdoor seating areas.

What is your favorite outdoor eating or drinking spot in town? Where would you like to see a beer garden? Attached to your favorite restaurant, along the river, or overlooking one of our beautiful parks?

Check out a variety of outdoor dining environments, from tiny to plaza-filling, on our Pinterest site: http://pinterest.com/sparkarch/dining-environments/
 
Whether you have plans for a beer garden or something else, call us at  406.453.0001 , or email me at sophia@spark-architecture.com

Enjoy your summer,
Sophia