Grimm + Parker Architects (G+P) is a diverse group of talented, dedicated designers committed to community architecture. With 45 years in the industry and over 200 design awards, they are committed to building communities that are places where people can truly thrive. G+P is a fairly large firm—more than 105 employees, as of this writing, including 46 LEED Accredited Professionals—with a strong balance of emerging professionals and long-tenured staff located at three studios throughout the region: Calverton, Md.; Tysons, Va.; and Charlottesville, Va. Their projects cover a lot of real estate; you’ll find educational and recreational facilities, wellness centers, libraries, government and public safety facilities, performing arts facilities, mixed-use developments and multifamily residential projects in their extensive portfolio, including University of Maryland’s Knight Hall, which houses the Phillip Merrill College of Journalism and the residential/mixed-use Varsity. They are a leader in sustainable design with over 55 LEED-certified projects and 2 current Net-Zero Schools in design for Baltimore City Schools.
With founding principal, Stephen Parker, FAIA, a member of the first graduating class at MAPP, and President, Melanie Hennigan, AIA, also an alum (B.S. Architecture ‘83 and M.ARCH ‘87), G+P is proud to have a long-standing relationship with UMD’s architecture program.
How do you land a job at G+P? We asked, and they answered, below:
What do you look for in a portfolio from a student or recent graduate? We look to hire both student interns as well as new full time recent grads each year. Student portfolios that are well organized and show the breadth of a student’s experience in a creative way stand out to us. We like the tools we use to be tools a student has used. One of our current digital design tools of choice is Revit. Internships and work experience during school is an important differentiator.
What about the seasoned professional? When hiring seasoned professionals, we look for those who have acquired their license and have also worked with Revit and demonstrate dedication to the profession.
What’s a good way to get your foot in the door at G+P? The best way to jump start a career with G+P is to talk to our current student interns—some are your classmates! Reach out on LinkedIn to recently graduated UMD alums who work at G+P and meet us at career fairs. Don’t be a stranger; and do take full advantage of AIAS-sponsored events that may include a visit to the largest G+P studio, located in Calverton, Md., just 10 minutes off the College Park campus.
What positions do you have open right now? Visit our website, www.grimmandparker.com, and the JoinUs page for list of all current openings. We look forward to hearing from you!