The senior management team at Barker Rinker Seacat Architecture

The participants
This year's sixth annual Best Architecture Firms to Work For ranking saw participation from 16 firms, many of which were newcomers to the challenge.

The top three
The 2011 winners are all Best Firm veterans and have risen through the ranks!

First place – Denver-based Barker Rinker Seacat Architecture (www.brsarch.com) made a huge jump to number one from number 11 last year. Established in 1975, Barker Rinker Seacat Architecture has 22 full-time employees and focuses primarily on community gathering places such as libraries, schools, performing arts centers, and civic centers.

Even in the challenging economic environment last year – which did not result in layoffs but affected compensation – BRS broadened their geographic boundaries and expanded their market share. This firm continues to develop and improve. To increase transparency, companywide forums are held every quarter and help every employee develop an in-depth awareness of the challenges, opportunities and successes. An employee survey produced the comment, "Benefits have been maintained and we have been well informed about the company's financial health. This has had a very positive impact on morale. Lack of information breeds fear and worry about the health of the company and job security."

This year BRS staff participated in a wide variety of community activities, including fundraising events, neighborhood association activities, local AIA committees, a community gardening team, design review panels, non-profit boards, and mentoring and teaching at the local university and elementary school.

"Our commitment to our work, our employees, and to our community has been the fuel that has kept the practice moving forward for nearly four decades," said Katie Barnes, principal.

"Employees loudly affirmed their satisfaction with BRS, citing a very favorable work environment, a high level of appreciation seen from management for the work that they do, a strong satisfaction in company benefits/compensation offerings, and a perception of genuine interest on management's part regarding employees' professional growth/development," said Jeremy Clarke, Best Firm judge and director of operational search consulting at ZweigWhite.

"The employee survey reveals a sincere appreciation for the sacrifices made by the firm's leadership. Employees have great trust in management and they report that the firm conducts itself with the utmost integrity," said Larry Gard, Best Firm judge. "Employee satisfaction with the overall benefit package is significantly higher compared to the other finalists. Opportunities for professional advancement seem strong – this relatively small firm promoted four people last year. Employees feel that management takes an interest in their professional development."

Second place – Corgan Associates, Inc. (www.corgan.com) also jumped 10 spots to reach number two this year. This Dallas-based company was established in 1938 and has 282 full-time employees.

Judges

Larry Gard, Ph.D. Psychologist and senior consultant, Gard Executive Consulting, LLC, Chicago

Bernie Siben Principal consultant of The Siben Consult, LLC.

Jeremy Clarke Director of operational search consulting, ZweigWhite.

Corgan focuses on planning, designing and managing the construction of buildings most specifically in the aviation, corporate office, education, critical facilities, healthcare, and public visualization sectors.

Despite the firm's far-reaching presence (branch offices are located in Phoenix, New York, Sacramento, Miami, and Beijing), employees report a "family" atmosphere. "They focus daily on utilizing the most optimizing methods of production while ensuring the happiness and security of every person at the firm," said one employee.

"We pride ourselves on offering a work environment that promotes a work/life balance. Integrity at our firm starts from the top down, but is seen throughout all levels of the firm," said Renee Sneed, director of human resources.

Though 2010 was a challenging year for all firms, Corgan was proud to say they did not conduct layoffs and had the financial stability to continue to provide bonuses and 401(k) employer contributions, as well as other bonuses, such as a "fun budget." Transparency was reported as an important part of how Corgan operates and conducts business. Regular ongoing communication is shared through the publication of a monthly newsletter. Members of management encourage and support an open door policy and welcome feedback by initiating a follow up forum after an employee's fourth month of employment. An anonymous suggestion box is also available for all to provide input. "Employees are treated as they are an asset to the company," answered one employee in the employee survey.

Clark said, "Corgan prides itself on creating a working environment that stimulates professional development while seeking to foster a culture of continuous learning and collaboration. Further, Corgan has a solid reputation as a firm that is committed to maintaining a ‘family' atmosphere, and a work environment zealously focused on promoting a work/life balance. Employees have echoed these sentiments confidently."

Judge Bernie Siben commented on Corgan's policy of equity-based incentives, "I think this gives all staff members a stake in how things work out, and that is a great motivator."

Third place – Climbing five spots, Tacoma, Wash.-based BLRB Architects (www.blrb.com) made the list at number three this year. This 53-person firm has one additional branch office in Bend, Ore. They focus on educational facility design, civic facilities, historic renovations, commercial facility design, and residential/housing.

BLRB reports great communication among staff and an employee mentoring program. Clarke summarizes the positive environment, which he says is "hard to argue with in this challenging economic climate." Additionally, "BLRB saw no pay cuts, no salary freezes, and bonuses for all full-time employees in 2010. Further, employees enjoy an admirable PTO schedule, solid medical benefits, and a very commendable tuition reimbursement program."

In addition to a firm foundation of workplace benefits, BLRB demonstrates pride in their impact, recently moving into a new office building in Tacoma, the Pacific Plaza, one of the only LEED Platinum buildings in the area, which in addition to being environmentally responsible, also gets rave reviews from employees.

The employee survey yielded an impressive amount of positive and eloquent feedback such as, "BLRB empowers individuals to surpass their responsibility level if they take the initiative to be a leader. Those who excel get rewarded with increasingly important roles and leadership opportunities."

Gard said, "Employees at BLRB Architects describe a friendly, caring work environment. They respect how the firm's leaders have grappled with a tough business climate. They find their work to be challenging, interesting and rewarding."

Conclusion
The 2011 Best Architecture Firms to Work For have overcome the odds – maintaining an environment where staff feels appreciated, challenged, and able to do work to the best of their ability, all the while thriving in a challenging economy. We wish the top three and all the participating firms good luck in the coming year! Special thanks to the three judges who made this year's ranking a true success.

Christina M. Zweig is writer at ZweigWhite.
She can be contacted at christinaz@zweigwhite.com.