PEOPLE MAKE THEMSELVES at home in this architectural practice. Make architects was established in 2004 by director Ken Shuttleworth as a company held in trust for the benefit of all: everyone has a share, everyone's equal, and it cannot be sold unless that is in everyone's interest. More than half its 135 employees have been at the London-based firm for at least five years, and it scores highest in the Personal Growth category (gaining a top-30 score of 83%). Every Friday night there is a guest speaker from another business, charity or a health specialist. Sometimes an employee — referred to as a “partner” — will share experiences from an event or training in such matters as the latest construction technologies or time-management skills. The firm offers flexible working and sabbaticals so people can attend courses or give something back, by teaching at their former university, for example. It moves people between projects — an Olympic building here, a Harrods escalator hall there — to help achieve its aims, offering experience that feels valuable for the future (90%). The business has recently introduced six-monthly appraisals, giving people an opportunity to raise issues and make suggestions. The induction for new staff has been extended to introduce key people from across the studio, and quite a few partners feel they have never had a bad day at work (44%, a top-30 score). They feel fairly paid for the industry (77%), with architects typically earning almost £49,000 a year plus their profit bonus, free private healthcare and a generous non-contributory pension. The practice genuinely cares about the environment (86%), with a mission to create “innovative, striking and environmentally responsible places, spaces and buildings that have a positive impact on all who use them”. Staff believe Make makes a positive difference (82%). “Our studio is a vibrant, zesty, challenging place to work,” says one partner. “We are passionate about doing the best we can — where everything is possible.” www.makearchitects.com
