Registered / Senior Architect
Grasp Design
Quick Take
Lead architectural design and technical delivery on complex hospitality, commercial and mixed-use projects from concept through completion, producing high-quality documentation and managing BIM workflows.
RIBA Part 2+ qualification with 3+ years post-qualification experience, advanced proficiency in Rhino/Grasshopper parametric design, and hands-on ArchiCAD expertise.
Exposure to technically challenging large-scale projects, investment in professional development and systems, and a collaborative studio environment in one of Kenya's leading award-winning design firms.
Job Description
Grasp Design is an award-winning architecture, masterplanning and interior design studio based in Nairobi, Kenya. The firm works across a diverse range of sectors including hospitality, commercial, residential and industrial, delivering projects that are technically demanding and executed to the highest standards. Grasp Design is actively investing in its systems, standards and people, making it an exciting place to grow a career in architecture.
- Work across RIBA Stages 1–6 on live, complex projects from concept through to delivery
- Contribute to design development, technical output and project coordination
- Produce high-quality design documentation and drawings independently
- Operate within an ArchiCAD and Rhino/Grasshopper integrated workflow
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams on large-scale hospitality, commercial and mixed-use projects
- Uphold design rigour and computational fluency throughout all project stages
- Support and contribute to the firm's evolving BIM standards and project delivery processes
Essential:
- Degree in Architecture — Part 2 minimum or full professional qualification
- Minimum 3 years of post-qualification experience
- Proficiency in Rhino and Grasshopper (parametric/computational design)
- Hands-on experience with ArchiCAD
- Strong professional ethics and design principles
- Ability to work independently and deliver high-quality outputs
Desirable:
- BIM experience with awareness of ISO 19650 workflows
- Knowledge of sustainability frameworks such as LEED or EDGE
- Experience working on hospitality or mixed-use projects
- International project experience across all RIBA stages
- Competitive salary commensurate with experience
- Exposure to complex, large-scale and technically challenging projects
- A collaborative studio environment that invests in its people and processes
Requirements Breakdown
Must Have
- RIBA Part 2 qualification minimum (or equivalent full professional architecture qualification)
- Minimum 3 years post-qualification experience in architecture
- Advanced proficiency in Rhino and Grasshopper (parametric/computational design)
- Hands-on working knowledge of ArchiCAD
- Ability to produce high-quality technical documentation and drawings independently
Nice to Have
- BIM experience with knowledge of ISO 19650 workflows
- Familiarity with sustainability frameworks (LEED, EDGE certification)
- Proven experience on hospitality or mixed-use projects
- International project experience across full RIBA Stages 1–6
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Salary Context
Salary not specified; estimated range based on Registered/Senior Architect seniority in Nairobi market
Registered architects with 3+ years experience in Nairobi typically earn KES 120,000–180,000 monthly gross, depending on firm prestige, portfolio complexity, and specialisation. Award-winning design studios like Grasp Design tend to pay above-market rates for candidates with strong computational design skills.
About Grasp Design
Grasp Design is an established, award-winning architecture and interior design studio in Nairobi specialising in hospitality, commercial, residential and industrial projects across East Africa. The firm is known for technically rigorous, high-standard delivery and is actively investing in BIM systems, people development and design innovation, making it a hub for architects seeking to work on complex, large-scale projects and grow their computational and technical skills.
Likely Interview Questions
- 1
Walk us through a project where you used parametric design in Rhino/Grasshopper to solve a complex architectural challenge. What was the outcome?
- 2
Describe your experience with BIM workflows and ArchiCAD. How have you contributed to or influenced BIM standards in previous roles?
- 3
Tell us about a time you led design development across multiple RIBA stages on a live project. How did you manage coordination between design and technical delivery?
- 4
What draws you to hospitality and mixed-use project work, and how does your portfolio demonstrate this experience?
- 5
How do you balance design rigour and innovation with practical delivery constraints on technically demanding projects?
Application Tips
Lead with your computational design expertise: include specific Rhino and Grasshopper projects in your portfolio, showing parametric workflows and how they improved design outcomes or efficiency.
Highlight ArchiCAD proficiency and any BIM experience, including ISO 19650 awareness or involvement in firm BIM standard-setting—this is a clear technical differentiator.
Showcase complex, large-scale projects (hospitality, commercial, mixed-use) and emphasize independent delivery of high-quality technical documentation across RIBA Stages 1–6.
Career Path
Roles that lead here
Where this leads
Skills & Keywords
Honest Assessment
Green Flags
- Award-winning studio with proven track record: Grasp Design has credibility and delivers high-standard work, signalling good mentorship and portfolio-building opportunities.
- Active investment in systems, standards and people: explicit commitment to professional development, BIM evolution and workplace culture suggests a growth-minded employer.
- Complex, diverse project portfolio (hospitality, commercial, residential, industrial): exposure to varied typologies and technically demanding work will accelerate skill development.
- Clear technical pathway: emphasis on RIBA stages, BIM, computational design and design rigour indicates structured progression and respect for professional practice.
Watch Out
- Salary not specified: the posting offers only 'competitive salary commensurate with experience,' leaving significant negotiation uncertainty for candidates—request a range early in conversations.
- Heavy computational design emphasis (Rhino/Grasshopper, parametric fluency) may exclude excellent traditional architects who lack these specific tools; ensure transferable skills are valued if you have strong ArchiCAD and design fundamentals.
- No mention of flexible working, remote options, or relocation support despite Nairobi-based role—clarify work location expectations and any support for non-local candidates.
A Day in the Life
Your week oscillates between design studio and site-adjacent work: mornings might include collaborative design development sessions using Rhino and ArchiCAD, iterating on a mixed-use hotel scheme or commercial masterplan with the studio. You produce technical drawings independently, coordinate with multidisciplinary teams (engineers, interiors, consultants), and review junior architects' outputs for design consistency. Afternoons blend deeper CAD modelling, parametric component development, and client presentations on project progress across RIBA stages. You contribute to the firm's evolving BIM workflows and standards, mentor emerging talent, and maintain rigorous design principles throughout—balancing innovation with practical delivery on live, technically challenging projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications do I need to be a Registered/Senior Architect at Grasp Design?
You must hold a RIBA Part 2 qualification (or equivalent full professional qualification) with a minimum of 3 years post-qualification experience, plus advanced proficiency in Rhino/Grasshopper and hands-on ArchiCAD knowledge.
Is the Registered/Senior Architect role at Grasp Design remote or office-based?
The role is based in Nairobi and does not appear to offer remote work options. Confirm flexibility and work location expectations directly with the hiring team.
How much does a Registered/Senior Architect earn at Grasp Design?
The posting does not specify salary, only noting it will be 'competitive commensurate with experience.' Based on Nairobi market rates for this seniority, expect a range of approximately KES 120,000–180,000 monthly gross, though award-winning studios may pay above this range for strong candidates.
What are the career growth opportunities for a Registered/Senior Architect at Grasp Design?
Grasp Design is actively investing in its people and systems, offering exposure to technically complex projects and a collaborative environment. Growth paths include progression to Design Principal/Associate roles, specialisation as a BIM or Sector Lead, and expanded responsibility for project leadership and firm standards.
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