Senior Architectural Designer III; Landscape Architecture + Architecture

Senior Architectural Designer III (8-10 years) Landscape Architecture + Architecture
Fair Studio Employer

Manhattan Beach, CA, US

Full-time, part time or project-based contract

8–10+ years

$85,000–$125,000 annually; contract rate commensurate with scope

FAIR Studio collaborates with leading architecture and interior design teams in Los Angeles and beyond. Our work spans architectural design, façade design, landscape architecture, and complex hardscapes that integrate seamlessly with the primary residence. We value trust, rigor, curiosity, and thoughtful collaboration—and we believe exceptional design is strengthened by exceptional documentation.

FAIR Studio is seeking an exceptional Senior Project Architect / Architectural Designer III with a love of details, construction, and design. Working directly with the principal, you will lead the technical development, coordination, and documentation of significant custom residential architecture and exterior landscape projects.

This is a hands-on role for someone who can move fluidly between design intent and buildable resolution: owning projects, making informed design decisions, anticipating technical challenges, and bringing well-considered solutions to studio leadership. You will collaborate closely with designers, project managers, consultants, fabricators, contractors, permitting agencies, and clients throughout design and construction.

The position may be structured as a full-time, part time or a project-based contract assignment, depending on experience and availability.

Work from home time is a feature of this role.

• Lead the technical development and production of complete, coordinated construction document sets for high-end custom residential architecture, exterior environments, landscape architecture, and select interior architecture.
• Develop beautiful design presentations conveying developed design concepts
• Translate design concepts and precedent details into precise, buildable assemblies.
• Develop wall sections and envelope details independently, including waterproofing, eaves, and coordinated head, jamb, and sill conditions with window and door manufacturers.
• Integrate architectural, landscape, structural, civil, mechanical, irrigation, and lighting information into a clear and coordinated drawing set.
• Prepare hardscape, grading, drainage, irrigation, and exterior material documentation; support California WUCOLS calculations where required.
• Research applicable codes and agency requirements, navigate restrictive jurisdictions, prepare agency responses, and coordinate permit submissions and responses with permit expediters.
• Perform QA/QC of drawings, specifications, calculations, and consultant information; maintain drawing quality, clarity, and consistency.
• Manage day-to-day correspondence with clients, vendors, project consultants and city staff.
• Own assigned schedules, budgets, deliverables, and production organization while managing multiple priorities.
• Participate in client, consultant, agency, fabricator, and contractor meetings; support construction administration, estimating, and material procurement as needed.
• Assign and coordinate work with studio ownership directly to strengthen internal production standards, increase FAIR studio’s suite of programs. Currently FAIR uses Layout & Sketchup exclusively, production designers who have deep skills in Sketchup is required.
• Create and maintain internal file-management protocols, project templates, detail libraries, and team documentation standards.
• Provide estimation and budgeting services for projects including detailed stone and tile orders with overseas vendors to secure highly custom stone for masonry details.…