Architectural Designer
Standard Communities
Chicago, IL
Art / Design / Entertainment, Information Technology
We're seeking a talented Architectural Designer who is passionate about transforming housing through thoughtful design and cutting-edge technology. This role is perfect for someone who loves diving deep into BIM modeling, creating compelling visualizations, and developing design solutions that make a real impact on communities. You responsibilities won’t be siloed to designing, and you will be given plenty of opportunities to develop construction administration and technical documentation acumen to support design efforts.
What You'll Do
BIM & Design Documentation
What We're Looking For
If you're a passionate designer looking for more than just another drafting role—if you want to help shape a firm's design direction while working on meaningful housing projects that transform communities—we'd love to hear from you.
This is your opportunity to join a team that values both creative excellence and technical precision, where your design skills will be respected and your ideas will help define our visual and technical standards.
About Us
Nexus is a dynamic architecture and design firm specializing in housing solutions of all types and sizes, with a focus on multifamily projects. Our expertise lies in breathing new life into existing structures through thoughtful rehabilitations, with exciting expansion plans into adaptive reuse and new construction. What sets us apart is our unique partnership model—we work hand-in-hand with a Developer and General Contractor as an integrated team, executing projects nationwide without the typical project chase. This collaboration creates full transparency and allows us to focus on what matters most: improving the quality of our work and the communities we serve.
As a newly formed firm, we're building something special from the ground up, taking the best of our collective experience and refining it into our vision for the future. This is your opportunity to help shape that future.
What You'll Do
BIM & Design Documentation
- Lead BIM modeling efforts using ArchiCAD.
- Create detailed and accurate design documentation from concept through construction documents
- Develop and maintain BIM standards and best practices for the firm
- Ensure model integrity and coordination across all project phases
- Transform conceptual ideas into detailed design solutions during the Design Development phases
- Create compelling renderings and visualizations that communicate design intent
- Develop design options and alternatives that balance aesthetic goals with practical constraints
- Document existing conditions and translate them into renovation opportunities
- Work closely with our integrated team to develop innovative solutions for complex housing challenges
- Balance design aspirations with construction realities and budget considerations
- Contribute to the design vision while ensuring technical feasibility
- Participate in design reviews and contribute to overall project quality
What We're Looking For
- 4 to 7 years in architecture/design with a strong BIM and design development background
- Proven expertise in 3D modeling and design documentation
- Experience with rendering software and visualization techniques
- Track record of taking projects from concept through detailed design phases
- Proficiency in BIM software (ArchiCAD preferred, but will consider other platforms)
- Strong rendering and visualization capabilities
- Experience with Apple products and software suite
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
- Passion for housing design and understanding of multifamily/residential projects
- Experience with existing building renovations and adaptive reuse preferred
- Strong spatial reasoning and design problem-solving abilities
- Ability to balance creative vision with practical constraints
- Collaborative spirit that thrives in our integrated team environment
- Eagerness to learn new systems and contribute to firm growth
- Strong communication skills for presenting design ideas
- Adaptability and openness to feedback and iteration
- CreativeFreedom: Our partnership model means less time chasing work and more time focusing on great design. You'll have the support to explore creative solutions without the typical constraints.
- Shape the Future: As a newly formed firm, your design sensibility and technical expertise will directly influence our aesthetic direction and standards.
- Integrated Team Approach: Work closely with our Developer and General Contractor partners from day one, ensuring your designs can actually be built and create real value.
- Technology Forward: We invest in the latest BIM tools and visualization technology, and we're always looking for ways to improve our design processes.
- Meaningful Impact: Focus on housing projects that make a real difference in communities across the country, from affordable housing to market-rate developments.
- Professional Growth: Take on significant design responsibility and grow your expertise in a supportive environment that values both creativity and technical excellence.
- Learning Environment: Work alongside experienced professionals while contributing your fresh perspective and ideas to our evolving practice.
If you're a passionate designer looking for more than just another drafting role—if you want to help shape a firm's design direction while working on meaningful housing projects that transform communities—we'd love to hear from you.
This is your opportunity to join a team that values both creative excellence and technical precision, where your design skills will be respected and your ideas will help define our visual and technical standards.
About Us
Nexus is a dynamic architecture and design firm specializing in housing solutions of all types and sizes, with a focus on multifamily projects. Our expertise lies in breathing new life into existing structures through thoughtful rehabilitations, with exciting expansion plans into adaptive reuse and new construction. What sets us apart is our unique partnership model—we work hand-in-hand with a Developer and General Contractor as an integrated team, executing projects nationwide without the typical project chase. This collaboration creates full transparency and allows us to focus on what matters most: improving the quality of our work and the communities we serve.
As a newly formed firm, we're building something special from the ground up, taking the best of our collective experience and refining it into our vision for the future. This is your opportunity to help shape that future.
About the company
Company website•Non-profit Organizations
Standard Communities is one of the largest owners, investors, and developers of affordable housing in the U.S., with $6B in assets under management, nearly 30,000 units across 23 states and Washington, D.C. We've built a vertically integrated, national platform designed to deliver high-quality housing at scale, without sacrificing speed, quality, or mission.
With 18 years of execution across every market cycle, we close complex deals others can't, operating where the capital structures are most layered and the regulatory environment is most demanding.
We sweat the details, we move with urgency, and we act with kindness — targeting 50,000 units by 2030 and building toward it every day.
Real estate with real impact.