Politics is everything - Architect/Designer NBBJ Employee Review

2.0
Nov 26, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

There are still a few good designers at the firm, and some truly excellent architects that know how to put together an impeccable building. If you can find these people and work with them, you will learn an incredible amount. I did. These people often fly under the radar, however, and are not valued as they should be. NBBJ used to be - and in some studios still can be - a place where work life balance can be achieved. This is changing for the worse, however, and how rapidly the change comes remains to be seen. Studio cultures are very different. If you're looking to work at NBBJ do your homework. Ask about employee turnover. There are great resources at NBBJ - in in-house librarian, code experts, a specifications team, software learning courses, etc.

Cons

If I had written this review 2-3 years ago I would have offered 4-5 stars, but things are changing. The partnership and leadership structure has changed (again), a new head of marketing has been elevated, and employees are leaving at a rate not seen in years. But, this is of no concern to the firm leadership who shrug their shoulders and hire new chattel because architects and designers that focus on the quality of built projects are expendable. The employees who will succeed are those who choose instead to play the politic game by applauding each other, writing regular blog posts on the internal blog, and repackaging/remarketing even the most mediocre work until in their eyes it looks good to them(but no one else). This was a somewhat political firm when I arrived. Now it is all politics - at great expense to the quality and integrity of the work. Mentorship is absent - at all levels.

Explore other reviews about NBBJ

5.0
Jun 4, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Super flexible and great coworkers

Cons

No real cons. Maybe wished it was more hybrid

1.0
Jun 16, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

healthcare benefit, good office location

Cons

Bonus points if you're white and can fit into the small inner circle (iykyk). If not, you may find yourself constantly reminded that you don’t really belong. There is a very obvious double standard around flexibility and trust. Certain people seem to be allowed to do whatever they want, while others get questioned for the same behavior and suddenly need to have a “conversation with the manager.” Openly talking negatively about coworkers and consultants is also treated as normal. There is a lot of casual criticism, gossip, and dismissive commentary, which makes the environment feel unnecessarily tense and unprofessional. The micromanagement is also exhausting, especially from managers who are too busy to know what you are actually working on. Instead of feeling trusted to do your job, you end up spending a lot of energy managing perception. Also, 4 days in the office is intense; sometimes people just need quiet time to focus. Although if you're one of the favorites, that can be negotiable.

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