At award-winning multidisciplinary architecture and design firm Workshop/APD, projects are defined by a sense of place and purpose and a desire to enhance user experience through exceptional design at all scales. From layered, textured penthouses and seaside retreats to luxury residential developments and groundbreaking hotels and restaurants, our aesthetic is timelessly modern but site-specific, unbound by project type or a singular style.
Led by founding principals Andrew Kotchen and Matt Berman and principal architect Thomas Zoli, a collaborative team of 100 architects, interior designers, and product designers in NYC, Minneapolis, Nantucket, and Greenwich, CT leverages vast and highly varied experience to solve complex design challenges, resulting in evocative spaces that are exceptionally beautiful and accessible.
Through a vertically integrated service offering spanning all aspects of architecture, interior design, and product design, Workshop/APD can own every step of the process from inception to completion. We value people first, centering learning, collaboration, creativity and excellence. The firm is known for embracing technology and celebrating craft, pursuing materials with a worked hand, and creating one-of-a-kind furnishings and finishes to bring texture, materiality and contrast to modern spaces. Committed to designing places that celebrate a project’s location and history, the team demonstrates a profound respect for the physical and contextual environment in which projects are realized, extending the experience beyond the structure to merge landscape, neighborhood, architecture, and furnishings in a beautiful, synergistic unit.
The firm’s award-winning product collaborations - and its own Workshop Collection furnishings - are born from decades of experience designing custom products that marry composition, materiality, craftsmanship, and ease. Workshop/APD’s first monograph, Workshop/APD Homes, debuted in Fall 2022 with Rizzoli Books.
Rating Reviews
Rating is calculated based on
3
reviews and is evolving.
Pros: The best part is definitely the people. I worked alongside incredibly talented and collaborative designers who were always willing to help each other out. The projects themselves were often high-profile and visually stimulating, providing great portfolio pieces and a sense of accomplishment. The firm has a good reputation in the hospitality design sector.
Cons: While the work is engaging, the compensation package, particularly base salary and standard benefits, felt a bit below market for the level of experience and expertise expected, especially when compared to other architecture and design firms in the NYC area. Overtime is often expected during crunch times, which can impact work-life balance.
Advice to Management: Consider benchmarking salaries and benefits more regularly against industry standards to ensure competitive compensation. Also, look into better ways to manage workload distribution to mitigate excessive overtime during busy project phases.
Show more
Pros: The design challenges at Workshop/APD are top-notch, offering exposure to incredible hospitality and luxury residential projects. I've appreciated the mentorship opportunities and the chance to collaborate with very talented architects and designers. The New York City location is also a major plus, keeping us connected to industry trends.
Cons: The pace can be intense, and occasional long hours are part of the job, especially closer to project deadlines. Some administrative tasks could be streamlined to allow more focus on core design work. It's a busy environment, so managing workload effectively is key.
Advice to Management: Continue to invest in professional development and explore ways to further optimize project workflows to enhance work-life balance for the talented design team.
Show more
Pros: Working at Workshop/APD offers exposure to high-profile residential and hospitality projects, which is fantastic for building a portfolio. The team is genuinely passionate about design, leading to a very collaborative and creative work environment. There’s a real sense of shared purpose and a supportive network among colleagues, making the day-to-day enjoyable. The office space itself is inspiring and located in a vibrant part of New York City.
Cons: While the design work is fulfilling, the pay and benefits package doesn't always keep pace with other architecture and design firms in the competitive New York market. Opportunities for rapid career advancement can also feel limited unless you're on a specific track. The workload can be demanding, especially during project deadlines, which sometimes impacts work-life balance, although flexibility is generally respected when needed.
Advice to Management: Consider benchmarking salaries and benefits more closely with industry peers to attract and retain top talent. Investing in clearer career progression paths would also be highly beneficial.
Show more
As a CEO in the architecture and design industry, how does Workshop/APD define its core values and long-term direction?
Workshop/APD really emphasizes a collaborative spirit and a commitment to innovative design solutions, which guides our work across residential and hospitality projects globally.
What's the culture like at Workshop/APD for a CEO role in the architecture and design industry?
As CEO at Workshop/APD, I find the culture deeply collaborative, fostering innovation within our mid-sized New York City-based firm. We encourage cross-disciplinary thinking among our design professionals, which drives exciting projects.
What is the typical salary range and benefits package for a junior designer at an interior design firm like Workshop/APD in New York City?
For a junior designer role at a large, high-profile interior design firm in NYC, I've seen starting salaries generally fall between $55,000 and $70,000, often with benefits like health insurance and paid time off. While Workshop/APD is known for its prestigious projects, confirming specific salary bands and the full benefits package would require checking their career pages or asking directly during the hiring process.
US
