Small vs large practice: how to decide

‘If you could go back in time to when you first started your career, would you join a large established firm or a small, boutique studio?’ That’s the question we recently put to architects and designers around the world. It turns out there is an almost even split between professionals who would rather join a large, established firm (52%) and those who would rather work for a small, boutique studio (48%). 

Having spent the last twenty years supporting emerging architects and designers, we're often asked about the merits of working for a large or small firm. It’s a sensible question to ask, but the answer depends on a few variables.

For newly qualified architects or designers, your decision to work for a small or large company will be influenced by your career goals, working style, ambition and even your personality. We have a few insights to share from our recruiters and an industry veteran on how you could make this decision. 

The advantages of large and small-sized firms

Architecture and interior design jobs come in all shapes and sizes. Here are the benefits typically linked to a company’s size. 

Large companies offer:

Project prestige

As part of a large firm or studio, you’ll often have opportunities to work on big brand and landmark projects – which look great in your portfolio.

Development resources

Larger companies typically have more budget for training employees and technology tools.

Salary and benefits

A generous pay packet is often a drawcard for working in a larger firm. You may have more room to negotiate your salary at the start of your tenure and in regular pay reviews.

Small companies provide:

Broader experience

Working at a smaller firm means you’ll likely take on a variety of responsibilities, giving you broader exposure across different project phases and more direct client interaction.

Creative freedom and hands-on work

Small firms often require more versatility, which allows you to engage directly with the entire project lifecycle. Getting this hands-on experience can give you more space to be more creative than you would in a larger company.

Relaxed workplace culture

Smaller firms and studios tend to cultivate close-knit environments where it’s easier to get to know your colleagues and forge stronger bonds. 

… and the disadvantages

It’s just as important to understand the disadvantages of working for a large or small architecture firm, as these can influence your career satisfaction.

Large companies can:

Pigeonhole you into ‘junior’ tasks 

As a junior in a large firm, you may get stuck performing routine or entry-level tasks, without the chance to take on more challenging, high-impact responsibilities. Some of the more structured environments may not always allow you to stretch beyond your title. 

Have more administration (aka bureaucracy)

It’s a cliché that larger companies can bog you down in processes and procedures, but it is true to an extent. Larger clients, projects and teams require more admin to make it all work. 

Less recognition

Working in a large business can make it difficult to stand out. Although being part of a big group comes with networking opportunities, you may find it challenging to make your mark among so many colleagues.

Small companies can 

Have less job security

Smaller firms and studios tend to be more vulnerable to economic shifts or changes in client demand. In tough times, project delays and cancellations can accumulate, and without the financial cushion of a larger company, layoffs or reduced hours could become a reality.

Limited career progression

Fewer employees often means less internal networking and fewer paths for promotion. However, you can still build connections through clients or industry events, and the diverse skill set you develop could open doors to bigger roles elsewhere in the future.

Lower salary and limited benefits

Tighter budgets can be an issue for smaller businesses, which can mean a lower starting salary and fewer benefits compared to larger companies. 

Now that we understand the pros and cons of working for large and small firms, how do you decide which path to take?

When we asked Darin C. Cook, AIA and partner at Pelli Clarke & Partners about the advice he wishes he’d received when he was starting his career, he emphasised the importance of self-reflection. 

“You’re going to design your career as much as you are going to design a building. You have to think about how you craft, create and design the future of your life and where you have to take that in your profession.”

That means you must be introspective, think about what you want to achieve and set personal goals with timelines you can work toward, he says. 

“The one danger or challenge for young employees is that they get out of school and just start working, and they find themselves three, five years [later] not sure where they are or how they got there.”

Should you specialise or generalise?

Specialisation holds professional value for early-career architects, Darin says. With a speciality, “you can plug yourself into an organisation and provide a service”. 

However, developing a broad cross-section of skills will put you on the best footing for a long-term career in the industry. “You don’t know what the future holds a year from now or ten years from now”, he adds, so developing a specialisation within a broader skill set is critical. 

Whatever you do, stay the course

Whether you decide to work for a small or large firm, it’s important to “put down roots” long enough to develop solid experience, Cook says. 

A professional with just one year of experience at three or four different firms in their portfolio may indicate someone who hasn’t quite found their niche yet, he says. Giving yourself the time to develop your skills over a longer period is essential. Staying the course can demonstrate you communicate well with clients and you can be trusted with additional responsibilities.

How to decide

Clarify your goals and personal attributes

Before applying for any role, consider your career goals and values, and the type of work environment you’re likely to thrive in. Think about how working for a small or large company suits your lifestyle and personality.

Get informed 

Research companies you’re interested in working for and note details about their company culture and projects. Speaking with professionals who have experience in both small and large firms can give you valuable insights based on hard-won experience. 

Get tailored advice from architecture and design recruitment specialists

At Bespoke Careers, we’re passionate about helping early-career architects and designers make career decisions that work for them. We can offer you guidance on your portfolio and CV, finding your ideal role or just considering your next steps. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us today for practical advice from our architecture and design recruitment specialists.

For more career resources, read our tips on building your portfolio, how to network or how to start your career in architecture.