Gensler is deploying an Architecture Co-op attached to their Philadelphia design studio. You will not be fetching coffee or filing physical paperwork; you will be actively drafting, modeling, and contributing to live commercial and institutional projects. This mandate is designed for students seeking rigorous, hands-on experience through structured co-op programs that bridge the gap between academic theory and the harsh realities of professional architectural practice.
Commercial Real Estate Shifts & BIM Evolution
Gensler operates as the largest architecture firm globally, heavily focused on adaptive reuse, sustainable urban environments, and high-performance commercial spaces. Operating in a fully remote co-op capacity means you are stepping into a highly digitized, cloud-reliant workflow. You are not just learning basic drafting; you are executing real-time Building Information Modeling (BIM) coordination on institutional-scale projects that shape major metropolitan grids.
Studio Operations & BIM Integration
As an Architecture Co-op, your mandate is to provide direct operational support to project architects and senior designers. You are responsible for producing accurate BIM data, generating presentation graphics, and assisting in rapid design iterations. Your technical output directly impacts the studio’s ability to meet strict client deadlines and deliver flawless construction documentation (CDs).
Drafting Scope & Project Deliverables
- BIM Development: Build, refine, and update 3D models and 2D drafting views in Revit under the strict supervision of the project architect.
- Design Iteration: Produce digital study models and conceptual massing utilizing Rhino to explore spatial solutions rapidly.
- Visual Communication: Render architectural visualizations and compile client-facing presentation boards using Enscape and the Adobe Creative Suite.
- Documentation Support: Assist in the technical preparation of Schematic Design (SD), Design Development (DD), and Construction Document (CD) sets.
- Material Research: Coordinate remotely with product representatives to source materials and maintain the studio’s digital material libraries.
Revit Proficiency & Academic Prerequisites
- Academic Standing: Currently enrolled in a NAAB-accredited B.Arch or M.Arch degree program, explicitly eligible for a full-time co-op rotation.
- Software Proficiency: Intermediate to advanced practical experience with Revit, Rhino, and AutoCAD. You will be tested on your ability to navigate work-shared models.
- Graphic Execution: Strong command of Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop for precise layout and diagramming.
- Technical Comprehension: Demonstrated ability to read, interpret, and accurately draft architectural floor plans, sections, and elevations without constant hand-holding.
Compensation, AXP Hours & Career Leverage
This role offers an hourly baseline designed for students, but the primary structural leverage is the accumulation of mandatory licensure hours.
- Base Compensation: $22.00 – $28.00 USD / Hour. A strict, benchmarked baseline rate for architectural co-ops.
- NCARB AXP Hours: All eligible work hours count directly toward your Architectural Experience Program (AXP) requirements, validated by licensed supervising architects.
- Career Advancement: Direct exposure to the full project lifecycle, from concept to construction administration, serving as a documented pipeline for post-graduate full-time employment.
- Corporate Benefits: Access to intern-specific benefits, networking events, and internal software training programs.
Logistics & Hiring Process
- The Remote Studio Mandate
- Location: Philadelphia, PA (Remote). Status: Full-Time Co-op. While attached to the Philly studio, this role operates 100% remotely. You are strictly required to possess a reliable high-speed internet connection and a dedicated workspace capable of handling heavy, cloud-based BIM collaboration (BIM 360).
- Relocation Posture
- Zero relocation assistance. The remote nature of this specific co-op deployment negates the need for physical relocation funding.
Green Flags
- Advantage: NCARB AXP Acceleration: Logging direct AXP hours under licensed Gensler architects is a massive structural advantage. This directly fast-tracks your path to full licensure while you are still in academia.
- Advantage: No “Coffee Fetching”: The mandate explicitly places you in live commercial and institutional projects. You are building real resume equity and portfolio deliverables, not running administrative errands.
- Advantage: Remote Flexibility: Historically, architecture studios demand physical presence. Securing a remote co-op at a top-tier firm allows you to build a global portfolio without the friction or expense of a commute.
Red Flags
- Warning Sign: Hardware & Bandwidth Tax: Heavy cloud-based BIM collaboration (Revit/Enscape) on a remote setup will ruthlessly expose weak personal hardware or unstable internet. Expect severe technical bottlenecks if your rig is not production-grade.
- Warning Sign: Mentorship Friction: Remote co-ops inherently miss out on organic, “over-the-shoulder” learning. You must be highly proactive in asking questions, or you risk being isolated in a drafting silo.
