Skurman Architects is a classical architecture firm based in San Francisco. It is recognized nationally and internationally for its custom homes, ranging in scale from grand country residencies to intimate city apartments. Through its work, Skurman Architects has emerged as the leading practice for applying classicism through the diverse traditions of the French, Georgian, and Mediterranean (GrecoRoman) styles.
Founded in 1992 by Andrew Skurman, Skurman Architects benefits from his experience and expertise. Skurman apprenticed at I.M. Pei & Partners before working at other notable practices.
His work has resulted in a number of awards including five Julia Morgan Awards, from the ICAA Northern California chapter. In 2010, Skurman received the title of Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) from the French Minister of Culture.
And a decade later, Skurman Architects was the recipient of the Arthur Ross Award in Architecture, the highest honor for excellence in the classical tradition by the ICAA.
In 2013, Skurman was a visiting artist at the American Academy in Rome and has served as National Trustee of the ICAA.
Drawing from an extensive collection of books and monographs, the firm uses historical precedents to guide its design process for delivering innovative, and sophisticated solutions for modern building and living.
The firm also utilizes the Beaux-Arts tradition of watercolor rendering, along with constructing models, to further complement its work. Skurman Architects’s vast knowledge of classicism is reinforced by the founder’s extensive travels across Europe, where he has studied countless authentic examples of classical works.
In addition to their residential portfolio, Skurman Architects has designed The Resort at Pelican Hill, The Wattis Room at the Louis M. Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco, and the reconfiguration and restoration of The Salon Doré (an 18th-century French period room at the California Palace of the Legion of Honor Museum).
The firm was also commissioned to study designs for an addition to The Harvard Stadium.
Featured in many publications including Architectural Digest. Skurman Architects continues to be recognized for its ability to create exceptional contemporary homes that embrace the timelessness of houses built generations ago.
Senior Architect Role Overview
San Francisco, CA
Full-time
$130,000 – $180,000 base salary + bonus eligibility + benefits
Skurman Architects, specializing in high-end classical residential design, is seeking a Senior Architect with 5–10 years of experience to help manage an expanding workload.
The role involves leading full-scale residential projects (10k–50k+ SF estates), coordinating with clients and contractors, mentoring junior staff, and overseeing entitlement processes and construction documentation.
The ideal candidate has experience with high-end residential projects, preferably in the Bay Area, and demonstrates a strong interest in classical design. They should be proactive, detail-oriented, clientready, and team-oriented.
This is an opportunity to work closely with respected principals on prestigious projects in a supportive, intellectually rich environment.
Role & Responsibilities
Experience Level: 5–10 years. $130,000 to $180,000 base salary with flexibility for exceptionally qualified candidates.
Manage full projects with minimal supervision under Andrew (partner) and Ed (principal).
Direct and mentor designers working under them.
Handle entitlement processes, construction details, GC coordination.
Confident and polished enough to be clientfacing (high net worth clientele).
Technical capabilities: assemble construction documents, detail, material specs, entitlement approvals.
Autonomy expected by year 7+ of experience as an Architect.
Ideal Candidate Profile
Background
High-end residential, ideally 10k–50k+ SF estates in Bay Area (Atherton, Palo Alto, Woodside, Hillsborough, SF).
Classical training strongly preferred (but flexible if they demonstrate interest/willingness to learn).
Firms to target: Bill Schaeffer, Ferguson Shamamian, Sammons, Robert Stern, Butler Armsden, Sutro Architects.
Personality/Traits
Consistency, commitment, dedication to Skurman’s idiom.
Self-driven, proactive, comfortable working in front of demanding clients.
Team-oriented – willing to pick up slack when others are out.
Comfortable in their own skin, strong work ethic.
Ideal Candidate Profile
Work Style & Culture
Very supportive environment; not “sink or swim.”
Weekly staff meetings with leadership –engaged principals.
Pride in craft, detail, and classical design heritage.
Not a 50–60 hour work culture – office is dark on weekends.
Overtime only peaks around CD curve/full production phases.
Flexible hybrid: 5-day workweek, 1 day remote, laptop provided.
Logistics
Hiring timeline: Immediate need.
Interview: Schedule 30-min meeting with Andrew & Ed (4 PM preferred).
Contact: ewatkins@skurman pguettier@skurman.com
Benefits: Kick in after 3 months.
Compensation: (not specified – need to confirm).
What Makes This Opportunity Special
Exposure to some of the most prestigious classical estates in the Bay Area.
Learn directly under two highly respected partners (Pierre and Ed - Ed worked under Jim Jennings).
Office with a deep “library” of past projects & books – heavy emphasis on intellectual tradition.
Rare environment: rigorous standards but balanced lifestyle (true 5-day weeks, dark weekends).
Supportive leadership that listens to staff about workload and well-being.
What scale of projects have you led independently? (10k–50k SF estates relevance check.)
How comfortable are you with entitlement processes and complex client/GC interactions?
Have you managed juniors before – how do you balance delegation with oversight?
How important is classical training or interest in architectural heritage to you?
Have you worked in firms where detail and precision in drawings are critical?
How do you feel about working directly with very high-level, demanding clients?
What’s your ideal work culture? (Pitch
Skurman’s “supportive, not burnout-driven” atmosphere.)
Do you value having principals engaged in projects and mentoring you directly?
Would you be motivated by contributing to an office with a rich library of precedent and ongoing classical tradition?
How do you see your career trajectory would you want to grow into an associate/principal track?
