Legat Architects’ employees represent many cultures, interests, and areas of expertise. There is, however, something we all have in common: a willingness to embrace new challenges. Whether that challenge involves designing a LEED Platinum science building, stepping up to help a team meet a deadline for a hospital renovation, or planning an event to benefit a nonprofit, we approach it with a “bring it on” attitude.
We emphasize continuous improvement for employees at all stages of their careers. At our studios, you’ll see veterans with 30+ years of experience working side by side with recent grads and interns. Our leadership is always available to listen or offer advice — we don’t even have private offices! We also pay 100% of employee membership dues for organizations like AIA and USGBC. And once a month, we host virtual or physical meetings where employees from all six of our Midwestern studios gather to learn about a new topic.
Another key value at Legat: employee recognition and connection. We celebrate team and individual accomplishments … in our daily employee portal and weekly e-newsletter, on our social media channels, and during our meetings and company events. Additionally, we are an employee-owned organization: 40% of our employees are shareholders and that number continues to grow.
We offer paid maternity (up to 12 weeks) and paternity (up to two weeks) leave for all full-time employees. Position, benefits, and pay remain throughout.
Legat employees give back to the communities where we live and work. We’ve helped build homes for women in need. Launched an architecture club in a low-income neighborhood. Assembled beds for underprivileged children. Organized a ShareFest to help feed the hungry and raise funds for a community center. Planted vegetation and painted at a nonprofit. Even pulled garbage from a river.
Legat employees also get a leg up in the sustainable design community. In 2009, we became one of the first firms in the country to sign the AIA 2030 Commitment (to make carbon neutral a design standard by that year). Since then, we’ve designed some of the first LEED Gold and Platinum projects in Illinois, and chicagoarchitect.org recognized Legat among “the best green architects in Chicago.”
Last but certainly not least is design, the foundation that Legat is built on. Design infuses everything that we do, from our projects and internal design competitions to our annual Think Tank symposium that brings together AEC professionals, educators, building owners, and students to discuss pressing design challenges.
Legat is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities in all employment practices, without regard to race, sex, color, religion, gender identity or expression, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, housing status, criminal record, or any other non-merit factor protected under state, local, or federal laws. Equal Employment Opportunity applies to all personnel actions such as recruiting, hiring, compensation, benefits, promotions, training, transfer, termination, and opportunities for training. If you would like accessibility accommodations during the job application process, please contact us. Legat is committed to a fair and equitable workplace where everyone is a respected and valued member of our team.