Place is a specialist architect recruitment agency based in London, connecting architects, interior designers, and creative professionals with leading studios in the UK and internationally. Founded by architecturally trained directors, the team brings two decades of sector experience and a genuine passion for design. This insight shapes a consultative approach that supports both individuals and practices at every stage of their journey.
Finding the right architect recruitment agency can make all the difference to your next career move, or your next hire. A good agency won’t just send CVs or fill vacancies. They’ll act as a partner, understanding your goals, your culture, and the realities of the architecture world.
So how do you choose the right one?
- Look for industry experience, not just recruitment experience
Architecture is a specialist field. The best agencies are those built by people who understand it beyond their work as recruiters, but also as practitioners. An agency led by architecturally trained consultants will recognise the nuances of project phases, portfolio quality, software fluency, and how these align with a studio’s ethos.
At Place, for example, our team includes consultants with architectural backgrounds who stay connected to the sector through events, awards, and studio visits. That knowledge means candidates and employers alike get advice that’s both practical and informed by lived experience.
- Prioritise personal, consultative service
Recruitment is personal. Whether you’re looking for your next role or hiring for your studio, you should feel genuinely supported. Avoid agencies that treat placements as transactions. Instead, look for an architecture and design recruitment agency that takes time to understand your goals, listens carefully, and maintains confidentiality throughout.
Our consultative approach means your recruiter acts as an advisor, offering honest industry insight, discussing options openly, and guiding you through each stage of the process. Our passion for architecture and design means we’re routing for success as though it’s our own.
- Choose a specialist, not a generalist
The architecture and design world is unlike any other. Roles are highly technical and creative at the same time and understanding what makes a great studio fit takes more than a surface-level grasp of recruitment. A specialist architect recruitment agency will understand the importance of design ethos, project type, and software fluency as much as salary and title. They can identify transferable skills across architecture, interiors, and creative support, and help both candidates and studios make confident, informed decisions. A generalist recruiter might fill a vacancy, but a specialist will help build a lasting career.
- 4. Check their sector coverage and network
Architecture overlaps with many disciplines: interiors, urban design, landscape, project management, and creative support. The right architecture and design recruitment agency should understand this ecosystem and have an active network across related fields.
Ask what types of studios they partner with, whether they handle international placements, and how they stay engaged with the wider design community. Agencies that are visibly involved in industry events, judging panels, or sector journals tend to have the strongest networks.
- 5. Read their journal or insights
A credible recruitment agency will share useful, relevant insights and not generic career tips. Read their journal, news updates, or blog to get a feel for their voice and awareness of current topics. If their content speaks to your experience and reflects an understanding of and passion for the industry, that’s a good sign you’ll be in capable hands.
- 6. Expect transparency and professionalism
Discretion, respect, and clear communication are non-negotiable. You should know where your CV is being sent, what the process involves, and how feedback will be managed.
An agency that values long-term relationships will always prioritise trust over speed. They’ll advise rather than push, and they’ll help you make informed decisions at each step.
Choosing a recruitment partner you can trust
Selecting the right architect recruitment agency is about finding one that understands people as much as portfolios. Look for deep industry roots, a consultative ethos, and a track record of building lasting relationships rather than simply filling roles.
Experienced, Architecturally Trained Directors with a Passion for Design
Place is led by directors who have lived and breathed architecture. Both Tamsyn Curley and Rachael Broadbent Phillips are architecturally trained, having worked in respected studios before moving into recruitment. Together, they bring more than three decades of combined experience across practice and talent management, giving Place a rare depth of understanding of how the industry truly works, from concept to completion and from graduate to director level. Their passion for architecture and interior design runs through everything they do, inspiring a thoughtful, people-first approach that helps connect talented individuals with studios where their creativity can thrive.
If you’re ready to move forward with a team that combines architectural expertise with genuine care, get in touch with Place. We place talented people in architecture, interiors, and creative support roles in the UK and internationally. Explore our latest architecture and design jobs or register to start a confidential conversation.