Project Architect

Project Architect

Office Location: St. Louis, MO

Level: 3+ years of experience

Department: Architecture

Reports to: Architectural Studio Leader

Supervises: Project production team, including internal and external resources

Position Summary:

Directly responsible to produce the construction documents. Able to collaborate within a multi-discipline team environment and maximize the use of resources to improve design and build collaboration, increase profit per project, and improve the value-added building strategies provided by KAI.

Assists Designer and design team in completion of schematic design and design development documents. Assumes leadership role in Construction Documents and Bidding phases and assists in Construction Administration. Responsible for directing and coordinating assigned personnel and consultants. Keeps Project Manager fully informed of the production and project status.

Essential Functions - Internal: Management

1. Coordinates the work of others and clearly communicates the requirements for scope, schedule and budget for each task.
2. Develops cartoon set in compliance with KAI production standards, which determines the quantity and type of drawings required and aligns effort with the labor budget and schedule.
3. Reports weekly to Project Manager the progress of assigned tasks during the schematic design, design development and construction documents phases, manages assigned personnel; and reviews labor hours spent on each drawing against budgeted labor estimates.
4. Manages keyed note system and coordinates keyed notes with specifications.
5. Coordinates with BIM/VDC Manager to ensure all model uses and deliverables are clearly communicated and included in the labor budget and schedule.
6. Consistent with the firm's workflow documentation, receives project kick-off information and creates the initial project setup. Performs daily model management, maintenance, and administration.
7. Responsible for compliance with the firm's record retention standard operating procedure for projects.
8. Responsible for personnel assignments for optimum completion of required tasks.
9. Keeps the Project Manager fully informed of the production status.
10. Recommends to the Project Manager, increases or decreases in assigned team personnel when necessary to meet deadlines and deliverables.
11. Ensures conformance with construction document standards.

Essential Functions - Internal: Project

1. Works within parameters of Scope of Work.
2. Works closely with the Project Manager and project designer to interpret program in terms of design, spatial quality, human and environmental concepts.
3. In early project phases, collaborates in graphically communicating design concepts and project objectives to the project team and client.
4. Performs building and accessibility codes and standards assessment.
5. Assists Project Designer with the preparation of design drawings with sufficient detail, schedules, site work, and equipment layout and material selections to allow development of construction documents.
6. Responsible for developing final design solution within available construction budget.
7. Works with the Project Designer in completing schematic and design development drawings.
8. Responds to design review comments. Coordinates work with Interior Designer to achieve a unified design concept.
9. In coordination with the Project Designer, further develops catalogue of material and product data as an aid to material, systems, and equipment definition during Design Development and Construction Document phase.
10. Performs construction administration or assists the Construction Administrator or Build department representative in the review of submittals, RFI's and CO's.

Other Functions:

1. Responsible for the accuracy and detailed constructability of the construction documents. Leverages the talents of the firm's in-house Build group as needed.
2. Develops a preliminary furniture and equipment layout for all spaces on design drawings for confirmation of program.
3. Coordinates and integrates internal and external Engineering and Specialty Consultants.
4. With the assistance of the Project Manager and/or Project designer, provides programming and verification that satisfy project requirements.
5. Communicates, anticipates and integrates all disciplines' requirements within the design process.
6. Mentors the junior staff members in the technical aspect of production.
7. Assists Project Manager in establishing design team meeting agendas.
8. Creates BIM content consistent with firm's standards.
9. Capitalizes on the talent and abilities of our unique multi-disciplined team environment to find strategic advantages and leverages them for project, group and firm success.
10. Works as part of a digital design (BIM) team to achieve consistent results.
11. Integrates digital design and BIM products with other applications (Bluebeam, Procore, etc.).
12. Directly responsible to maintain project records and filing, both electronic and hard copy.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Desired Qualifications

1. Professional degree in Architecture required.
2. Registered Architect required; NCARB preferred. This position may be required to sign/seal project documents.
3. 5+ years of experience in profession, primarily in projects similar to KAI required.
4. Knowledge of Architectural production practices and experience in the utilization of documentation standards required.
5. Proficiency in Revit and Microsoft Office Suite required. Proficiency in AutoCAD and Navisworks encouraged.
6. Experience in other 3D software graphic programs is also valuable (SketchUP, Lumion, Enscape, etc.).
7. Proficiency in organizing and producing design and construction details and documentation from schematic design through construction documents.
8. Experience in assisting on projects during Bidding and Construction Administration required.
9. Excellent written, graphic and verbal communication and presentation skills required.
10. Experience in supervising team involved in production of project documentation and coordinating other disciplines and sub-consultants required.

About KAI

KAI Enterprises is a national design and build firm providing delivery-oriented building solutions with a diverse portfolio of experience, in-house multi-discipline professionals, and expertise in both design and construction delivery. Founded in 1980, KAI has grown into one of the largest minority-owned firms in the AEC industry. For more than 40 years, KAI has been instrumental in transforming communities through its expertise in residential, commercial, K-12, higher education, healthcare, science and technology, aviation, mobility, sports and entertainment, government, water and community-focused projects. KAI Enterprises is comprised of four distinct business units—KAI Design, KAI Engineering, KAI Build and KAI 360 Construction Services (KAI 360 CS). To learn more about KAI, visit kai-db.com.