Now Hiring! Design Architects and Project Architects

Designers, architects, urban design, new construction, jobs, St. Louis

January 21, 2019 – If you are passionate about architecture, community, construction, St Louis, modern design and office dogs…. We want to talk to you.

About US

UIC (Urban Improvement Company) is an integrated practice with expertise in architecture, construction, home building, carpentry and real estate development. UIC was founded by architects with a belief that design should be at the forefront of what our company is and seeks to be. While we operate at a variety of scales and project types, maintaining a consistent quality in design is central to our brand and our continued success. In fact, our core focus is to “Make cool stuff that builds community(ies).

As a design-centered company, it is critical to embrace the uniqueness that comes from unbridled creativity and boundless curiosity. At the same time, the discipline to be deliberately weird when called for, and practically-minded along the way to getting there energizes our process with a synergy around our three core values: 

  1. Do what it takes
  2. Challenge the status quo
  3. Inspire trust and have FUN!

About YOU

Design Architect

A Design Architect is accountable for ensuring the work performed meets the standards set by the project architect and design principal. You will collaborate with Project Architects and the Design Principal to effectively complete multiple design iterations, proposals, presentations, drawing issues, and will be involved in the day to day architectural functions in all phases of project delivery (Master Planning through Construction Administration). Accountability for organizing your time to meet the deadlines and finishing tasks set by supervisor is paramount.  – There is a lot of opportunity for growth in this position.

Requirements

  • Professional degree in Architecture
  • 3 – 5 years professional experience
  • Outstanding written, communication, analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills to foster a positive work environment.
  • Outstanding organizational skills
  • Proficient in the use of Yellow Highlighters, Revit, AutoCAD, SketchUp, Photoshop, Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, etc)

Project Architect

A Project Architect (PA) is a senior position in UIC and integral in leading the progress, drawing, and coordination of projects from start to finish. You will collaborate with other UIC business units, project managers and field staff to fully utilize and continue to improve the integrated practice model. As a Project Architect you will guide workflow and Design Architects to assure timely delivery of design, materials and documents. You will effectively complete multiple design iterations, proposals, presentations and lead all phases of project delivery. You will also assist in providing leadership, technical expertise, perform quality control and document review throughout the design process. Additionally, you will maintain good relationships with teammates, plan review officials and of course clients.
Requirements

  • Professional degree in Architecture
  • Professional licensure strongly encouraged
  • 7 – 12 years professional experience
  • Outstanding written, communication, analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills to foster a positive work environment.
  • Outstanding organizational skills
  • Proficient in the use of Red Pens, Revit, AutoCAD, SketchUp, Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, etc.), and project management software

Benefits

  • Collaborative, fun work environment that is also family, kid and pet friendly.
  • Work with great designers and builders that enjoy the process of making cool stuff for their clients.
  • Experience projects at all phases and work consistently from beginning to end.
  • Flexible work schedule.
  • Healthcare provided for employee, – competitively priced plans for additional family members.
  • Matching 401K
  • Vacation based upon experience. (Although, every day is a vacation when you love your occupation!)

To join our family

Please send your resume and portfolio to careers@uicstl.com.

If you have applied in the past and we didn’t reach out, now would be a great time to remind us of your continued interest in UIC.

 

Bonus points for identifying your favorite UIC project with your resume.

Reclaimed Space by REFINE featured in STL@Home

How UIC is Rejuvenating St. Louis

modern home exterior, red panel siding, raw wood home siding

UIC has already made a huge splash in St. Louis with their out-of-the-box way of blending architecture and design to create some of the most striking contemporary businesses and homes in the city. Some of their most eye-catching projects include the former City Hospital power plant downtown transformed into a climbing gym for Climb So Ill, the pair of upscale wine bars/restaurants Olio and Elaia, City Garden Montessori school, as well as many residential homes that have been popping up in the Botanical Heights and Grove areas.

Read the whole Vital Voice article HERE.

BMO Harris Spirit of St. Louis Finalist – UIC

school reception, modern ceiling lights, woman with young girl, orange chair

The Arcus Awards are presented to companies, organizations and institutions that demonstrate exceptional commitment to leading the St. Louis region’s authentic economic strengths and championing a better tomorrow for our region. These awards recognize companies and organizations that make the St. Louis region the best place to live, work and invest.

The BMO Harris Bank St. Louis Spirit Award honors a company, organization or institution for risk-taking, advancing an innovation, cutting-edge technology, or industry best practice that extends St. Louis’ rich history and global reputation as a hub of innovation and forward-looking vision.

 

Couple leaves St. Louis County for modern city living in the Grove

contemporary living, modern design, home exterior, city living

Nick and Sharon Blaine visited with UIC founders Brent Crittenden and Sarah Gibson and saw some open lots in the Grove where they could have a custom modern home built to suit their specific needs. They began building in July 2015 and moved into their new home in March 2016.

“Sarah is really envelope-pushing,” Nick says. “We knew we wanted an open, floating staircase, and she designed the stairs and unique railing. We also wanted a laundry room right off the bedroom, so she worked to customize that space as well.”

More HERE

CEO Brent Crittenden Joins the Table of Experts

When we say the biggest projects transforming St. Louis, I think in a lot of ways it’s a collection of things coming together. NGA is an important step forward, but if you look at the impact of that on the north side of the city, and then all the intensive development, whether it’s Cortex or commercial developments and new housing that’s going on in the central corridor of the city, that sort of puts us in an interesting place in time, in a very transformational place in time. So, collectively, there are all these things coming together that are forming unique opportunities, several opportunities for us to transform the city and, hopefully, then build off of that. So what’s happening in the center part of the city, hopefully then, has an effect throughout the region in the larger city.

Read the full article HERE

UIC Proposes Custom Residential Infill in The Grove

UIC, the design-build company best known for its transformation of the Botanical Heights, continues to build outside that original footprint. The company is proposing a custom home with first floor apartment at 4401 Gibson Avenue in Forest Park Southeast north of Manchester. The company has previously completed six homes in The Grove. Read more HERE

Now Hiring: Project Manager

Job Description

Responsible for all construction and financial aspects of multiple projects including budgets, contracts, supervising personnel on the project.  This includes maintaining the highest quality, supervising trade and field personnel, while administering good construction safety practices in order to successfully complete the projects on schedule and within budget.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Coordinates and supervises construction activities.
  • Prepares and submits budget estimates and cost tracking reports.
  • Prepares contracts and negotiate revisions, changes and additions to contractual agreements.
  • Responsible for all job costs, invoice approvals, and monthly draw/invoice preparation.
  • Directs field personnel to achieve completion of the project on schedule, within budget, with quality workmanship that conforms to original plans and specifications.
  • Confer with supervisory personnel, owners, contractors, and design professionals to discuss and resolve matters such as work procedures, complaints, and construction problems.
  • Maintain a working relationship with municipal and governing authorities and have a specific knowledgebase on local and national building codes and permitting. 
  • Be versed in reading blueprints, and creating ‘takeoffs’ of blueprints for bidding materials and labor.
  • Maintains positive relationships with customers, contractors, suppliers and other employees.
  • Prepares, schedules and supervises completion of a final punch list.
  • Promotes job site safety, encourages safe work practices and rectifies job site hazards immediately.  Ensures all company employees and contractors are adhering to the company safety policy.

Core Competencies

  • Organization – Must be extremely organized and capable of addressing various issues at any given time on multiple projects.  Must be able to see all aspects of the projects to close, not allowing any details to go unattended
  • Finance – Responsible for maintaining and reviewing an accurate financial statement for each project in coordination with accounting.  Identify issues and provide remedy for any discrepancies in the financial statements. 
  • Budgeting – Have a working knowledge of construction costs and market price for work performed to collaborate with subcontractors in bidding jobs.
  • Communication – Displays strong written and oral communication skills and employs effective listening skills.
  • Problem Solving – Analyzes problems and makes sound decisions in a timely manner based on objectives, risks, implications and costs.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree preferred.
  • 5+ years of successful Project Management experience.  Strong verbal and written communication skills.
  • Experienced in scheduling, ordering, field supervision, quality control, and production of all phases of construction.
  • Experienced in managing multiple projects.
  • Professionally and technically competent.
  • Computer proficiency (Microsoft Office: Project, Word, Excel and Outlook)

Personal Profile

  • A self-starting, highly motivated and goal oriented individual.
  • Excellent attention to detail with emphasis placed on quality and safety.
  • Very organized with a systematic approach tasks to achieve accuracy and efficiency.
  • Well-developed interpersonal skills, including the ability to manage diverse personalities and work within an integrated practice
  • Quick, sharp, confident, assertive, ethical and ambitious.
  • Analytical with the ability to examine issues from multiple viewpoints.

To apply contact Brent at bcrittenden@uicstl.com.

Now Hiring: Construction Superintendent

Job Description

Coordinates job site construction activities and supervises field personnel as required to successfully complete the project on schedule and within budget. This includes maintaining the highest quality, supervising trade and field personnel, while administering good construction safety practices.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Coordinates and supervises construction activities.
  • Directs field personnel to achieve completion of the project on schedule, within budget, with quality workmanship that conforms to plans and specifications.
  • Maintains construction schedule, identifies and solves problems. Develops and takes ownership of detailed daily and weekly schedules in accordance with master schedule and recognizes key schedule milestones. Understands critical construction activities and their effect on schedule milestones, and effectively communicates scheduling requirements to subcontractors, suppliers and project team members.
  • Understands the project budget and construction costs, and manages/works to ensure maximized production in accordance with budget.
  • Orders materials and manages deliveries throughout construction. Manages the staging of materials, keeps a clean and clear site with safe access to work areas.
  • Understand the inspection and permit process for the municipality that work is being undertaken and schedules inspections as necessary throughout the process.
  • Understands the project plans and specifications and recognizes details and information required for scheduled work to be undertaken, communicating to Project Manager additional information that may be required.
  • Maintains positive relationships with customers, contractors, suppliers and other employees.
  • Prepares, schedules and supervises completion of a final punch list.
  • Promotes job site safety, encourages safe work practices, performs regular site safety inspections and rectifies job site hazards immediately.
  • Ensures all company employees and contractors are adhering to the company safety policy.
  • Maintains an organized job site, including the construction office. Keeps on-site documentation, including drawings and design documents, safety documents, delivery dockets, copies of permits, site signage etc in a neat and organized manner.
  • Must have the ability to work in a team environment and successfully and positively communicate with supervisor, members or other departments, peers, customers and vendors.
  • Must perform work in a professional manner at all times and understand that they are performing as a representative of the company.

Core Competencies

  • Organization – Utilizes strong organizational skills.
  • Communication – Displays strong written and oral communication skills and employs effective listening skills.
  • Problem Solving – Analyzes problems and makes sound decisions in a timely manner based on objectives, risks, implications and costs.
  • Interpersonal Skills – Tactful and mature demeanor with well developed interpersonal skills including the ability to work well with diverse personalities.
  • Knowledge — Through understanding of construction practices including light commercial and residential.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s or equivalent experience degree preferred.
  • 2-10+ years of successful Superintendent experience. Strong verbal and written communication skills.
  • Experienced in scheduling, ordering, field supervision, quality control, and production of all phases of construction.
  • Experienced in managing multiple projects.
  • Experience in Historic Renovations and Multi-Family strongly preferred.
  • Computer proficiency (Microsoft Office: MS Project , Word, Excel and Outlook).

Personal Profile

  • A self-starting, highly motivated and goal oriented individual.
  • Excellent attention to detail with emphasis placed on quality and safety.
  • Very organized with a systematic approach tasks to achieve accuracy and efficiency.
  • Well-developed interpersonal skills, including the ability to manage diverse personalities.
  • Professionally and technically competent.
  • Quick, sharp, confident, assertive, ethical and ambitious.
  • Analytical with the ability to examine issues from multiple viewpoints.
  • Friendly and out-going in social contexts.
  • Works easily with others.

To apply contact Brent at bcrittenden@uicstl.com.

Inspired By: My Grandfather

30mm

My Grandpa Ralph passed away last year after a long and full life with good health into his 90’s. I was the very fortunate recipient of an archive of his drawings from a long career of design and drafting various large caliber weapons and turrets for the defense industry. His career stems from his time as a mechanic in the Air Corps in World War II, specializing in maintaining guns on bombers, and extended into the 1980’s when he trained young engineers on the correct magnitude of tolerance for production drawings. He was a perfectionist and an expert draftsman and this collection of drawings —ranging from the amazing isometric drawing attached to this post to large format production drawings—are works of art that I can spend hours going through.

I have a special connection to my grandfather on this as he and my grandmother bought me my first Crayola drafting set and he taught me the basics of drafting at an early age on this clear plastic parallel bar. (He also passed along a weird seemingly hereditary trait of sticking my tongue out and slightly to the left when I draw, but that may be material for a later post.) This early introduction to understanding how imagination could be described and explored in drawings helped to propel my interest in Architecture and my eventual career.

drafting arm

Along with the drawings I received one of his drafting arms, now a relic in the CAD age, which is now hung in the lobby of our offices. When I walk past it I am reminded of how he fostered my early love of drawing and am thankful of how he inspired me.

—Brent