Pros
Incredible projects all over the world. Work on meaningful cultural issues. High level of knowledge, expertise, with a focus on quality to achieve world class results. RAA has a stellar reputation industry wide, especially in the past, for innovative work. The offices in New York are impressive and there is a lot of travel involved.
Cons
For all intents and purposes the company is run now by the young, inexperienced son of the founder. Management is wildly inconsistent, opaque, and concerned with secretiveness that can seem paranoid. The management team is unable to set policy due to the founder and son central control of every decision. This has introduced chaos throughout the organization and culture. Staff has no idea what is happening as communication is vague and evasive. Financial troubles were common as projects were run without proper time and resource management. The structure of the company places control of projects in the hands of a very few senior architect/ designers who restrict the ability of new voices and ideas making it difficult to refresh process and ideas. Innovation has stalled and the same ideas are being recycled. The founder is no longer in touch with the practical realities of the industry, but the company culture still centers around him, and this puts strain on projects. Often after years of work has been complete the founder will change focus with little insight into rationale or client wishes. Salaries are low, contractors are treated poorly, benefits are lower than other firms.
