PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT | DIRECTOR OF ARCHITECTURE (Boca Raton)
SKETCH. a design studio | Boca Raton, Florida Full-Time | In-Office | Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:30 PM Compensation: Competitive Benefits ABOUT SKETCH. SKETCH. a design studio is a full-service residential interior design studio specializing in highly detailed, design-driven luxury residences. Our work integrates interior architecture, custom millwork, cabinetry, materiality, furnishings, lighting, and construction detailing to create cohesive environments from concept through completion. We are seeking an experienced Florida-Licensed Architect to establish and lead our in-house architectural capabilities. This is a senior leadership position for an architect who possesses exceptional technical knowledge while also understanding sophisticated residential interiors. This is not a traditional architecture-only position. OVERVIEW The Principal Architect | Director of Architecture will lead the architectural practice within SKETCH., working directly with the Principal Designer and our interior design team to deliver fully integrated residential projects. The successful candidate must be capable of independently developing, reviewing, coordinating, and overseeing complete residential architectural construction document sets from concept through permit and construction. We are looking for an architect who understands not only how a building is constructed, but how ts interiors are resolved. LEADERSHIP & ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE • Establish, develop, and oversee SKETCH.'s in-house architectural capabilities. • Serve as the firm's Architectural Qualifying Agent, subject to applicable Florida requirements. • Exercise responsible supervisory control over architectural services performed by the firm. • Maintain an active and unrestricted Florida Architect license in good standing. • Establish standards and best practices for architectural documentation, technical detailing, code review, quality control, and permitting. • Provide architectural leadership and technical guidance to the interior design and production teams. • Collaborate directly with the Principal Designer to preserve design intent while ensuring technical feasibility, constructability, and code compliance. • Help develop systems, standards, details, and drawing templates as the firm's architectural capabilities continue to grow. • Participate in the evaluation and future development of additional architectural staff as the department expands. ARCHITECTURE & CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION Responsibilities include: • Schematic design and design development • Existing-condition documentation • Demolition plans • Proposed architectural plans • Dimensioned construction plans • Building elevations • Building sections • Wall sections • Enlarged plans and details • Door and window schedules • Architectural schedules • Life-safety and code information • Construction assemblies • Architectural specifications and notes • Permit documentation • Consultant coordination • Construction administration SIGNING, SEALING & PERMITTING • Review, sign, and seal architectural construction documents prepared under the architect's responsible supervisory control when appropriate and legally permitted. • Maintain professional responsibility for architectural services performed under the architect's license. • Maintain strong working knowledge of the Florida Building Code and applicable residential codes, zoning requirements, permitting procedures, and jurisdictional requirements. • Coordinate directly with municipalities, permitting authorities, plan reviewers, consultants, contractors, and engineers when necessary. • Respond to permit comments and coordinate required revisions. • Manage architectural responses to RFIs, field conditions, substitutions, and constructionrelated questions. • Participate in site observations, field verification, construction meetings, and punch walks as necessary. INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE & DETAILING A defining component of this position is the ability to develop and oversee sophisticated interior architectural documentation. • Interior elevations • Enlarged interior plans • Wall elevations and sections • Reflected ceiling plans • Ceiling plans and details • Lighting plans • Lighting control plans • Power and receptacle plans • Decorative lighting coordination • Floor finish plans • Wall finish plans • Door and hardware coordination • Stair and railing details • Fireplace details • Kitchen details • Bathroom and shower details • Built-in cabinetry • Architectural millwork • Paneling and molding details • Stone and slab details • Integrated lighting details • Niches and recessed elements • Reveals and shadow gaps • Trim conditions • Thresholds and transitions • Specialty architectural elements • Custom built-ins and furniture elements where applicable INTERIOR DESIGN COLLABORATION Responsibilities include: • Translating design concepts, sketches, renderings, inspiration imagery, and material selections into technically resolved architectural solutions. • Contributing architectural expertise during concept and design-development meetings. • Maintaining design intent while solving technical, structural, code, and constructability challenges. • Coordinating architectural documentation with furniture layouts, lighting, plumbing fixtures, appliances, cabinetry, stone, hardware, and specialty finishes. • Reviewing design concepts for potential architectural or construction conflicts before they reach the field. • Developing creative technical solutions rather than simply identifying problems. • Maintaining consistency between architectural drawings, interior design documentation, renderings, schedules, and specifications. CUSTOM MILLWORK & CABINETRY Understanding of millwork construction and detailing, including: • Custom cabinetry elevations and sections • Built-in furniture • Architectural paneling • Integrated doors and concealed conditions • Appliance integration • Plumbing and electrical coordination • Integrated lighting • Stone and countertop coordination • Hardware • Clearances and tolerances • Fillers and scribes • Reveals and shadow lines • Installation conditions The Principal Architect will collaborate with designers, fabricators, contractors, and SKETCH.'s affiliated custom millwork resources to resolve complex details and review shop drawings for consistency with architectural and design intent. CONSULTANT & CONSTRUCTION COORDINATION • Coordinate architectural work with structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, civil, landscape, lighting, AV/low-voltage, security, pool, and other specialty consultants. • Review consultant documentation for conflicts and coordination issues. • Communicate directly with contractors and trades regarding architectural details and field conditions. • Review shop drawings, submittals, and product information where applicable. • Respond to RFIs and construction questions. • Participate in site meetings and field observations. • Assist in resolving unforeseen construction conditions while protecting overall design intent. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS • Active Florida Architect license in good standing. • Professional degree in Architecture from an accredited program. • Minimum 7–10 years of professional architectural experience, with substantial experience in high-end residential architecture strongly preferred. • Demonstrated ability to produce and oversee complete residential construction document and permit sets. • Demonstrated experience signing and sealing architectural documents prepared under responsible supervisory control. • Advanced understanding of the Florida Building Code and residential permitting process. • Strong knowledge of residential construction methods and assemblies. • Significant experience with interior architecture and architectural detailing. • Strong understanding of custom cabinetry and architectural millwork. • Ability to read and coordinate structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and consultant documentation. • Strong construction administration and field experience. • Exceptional attention to detail. • Strong written and verbal communication skills. • Ability to communicate with clients, designers, contractors, engineers, consultants, vendors, fabricators, and permitting authorities. SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS Advanced proficiency in: • AutoCAD • Revit • Microsoft Office / Microsoft 365 • Microsoft Teams Preferred: • 3ds Max or comparable photorealistic rendering software • Bluebeam • Adobe Creative Suite • SketchUp • 3D model