Lead Architect

Urbana Systems; United States; Remote; USD 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Urbana Systems is seeking a Lead Architect for Adaptive Reuse and Sustainability Integration, focusing on transforming distressed real estate into innovative communities. This role requires extensive experience in sustainable architecture and will embrace high compensation based on profit-sharing and equity models, ideal for a senior expert committed to integrating sustainability with cutting-edge design.

Qualifications

• 20+ years of direct experience in adaptive reuse and sustainable architecture.
• Licensed Architect with AIA affiliation.
• LEED AP required.
• Strong ability to evaluate legacy structures.

Responsibilities

• Conduct in-field assessments of candidate structures.
• Drive energy-efficient design principles.
• Uphold code compliance standards with creativity and speed.

Skills

Adaptive reuse

Sustainable architecture

Commercial-to-residential transformation

Evaluating legacy structures

ROM estimating proficiency

Sustainability integration

Education

Licensed Architect with AIA affiliation

LEED Accredited Professional

Job description

1 week ago Be among the first 25 applicants

Direct message the job poster from Urbana Systems

Sector: Real Estate & Construction – NOT IT, Software, or AI Sectors.

Title: Lead Architect – Adaptive Reuse & Sustainability Integration

Location: Major Metro Preferred / Remote with Travel

Engagement: High Compensation | Profit Sharing + Equity | No Salary | Direct Contributor Model

Required Qualifications

• 20+ years of direct experience in adaptive reuse, sustainable architecture, and commercial-to-residential transformation
• Licensed Architect with AIA affiliation
• LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP required)
• Strong ability to evaluate legacy structures and design rapid conversion strategies
• ROM estimating proficiency for interior and vertical repurposing
• Familiarity with construction management frameworks (PMP/CM a plus)
• Experience with integrating sustainable infrastructure (e.g., HVAC, energy, water)
• Bonus: Experience with layouts incorporating secure data infrastructure

Urbana Systems – The Next Chapter in Urban Living

Urbana Systems is not in the business of traditional real estate. We are reprogramming the built environment—transforming underutilized commercial properties into regenerative, AI-optimized communities. Our proprietary SmartWalls, solid-state TEC HVAC, AI-powered verification systems, and sewage-free sustainability models are operational now—not theoretical.

We are seeking a Lead Architect to be the hands-on driver of this revolution. This role is for a senior expert who can deploy architectural judgment in the field, not a paper-pusher or committee facilitator. If you are a systems-level thinker and licensed architect who thrives under high expectations, read on.

Mission

Transform distressed commercial real estate into sustainable mixed-use housing communities by applying world-class architectural thinking in tandem with Urbana's AI-driven tools and systemic design logic.

Key Responsibilities

• Adaptive Reuse Execution: Conduct in-field assessments of candidate structures; provide rapid architectural evaluations and conversion strategies.
• Design Validation: Partner with Urbana’s AI-Design Engine to validate and modify outputs that align with code, experience, and system performance.
• Sustainability Integration: Drive energy-efficient design principles—LEED strategies, water/air quality integration, and passive design systems.
• ROM & Feasibility Assessment: Deliver on-the-spot calculations for structural repurposing and cost-effective additions within the original envelope.
• Structural Intelligence: Understand when to cut, reinforce, or rebuild—quickly and accurately.
• Data Center Consideration: Offer layout insights for integrating small AI data centers when applicable.
• Compliance Mastery: Uphold IBC, ADA, and local code compliance standards with creativity and speed.
• Evangelize the Model: Represent Urbana’s architectural language publicly and internally.

Mindset and Cultural Fit

• You reject bureaucracy and embrace execution
• You think in systems and design with economy, elegance, and speed
• You want to transform lives, not win design awards
• You’re accountable to your own goals and performance outcomes

Compensation Structure

• High Compensation based on profit sharing + equity
• No base salary; contribution-based returns
• 120-day probation before equity vests
• Performance-driven engagement, not hours logged

To Apply

Submit all of the following items in your application package to: [e-mail]

• Resume (PDF)
• LinkedIn profile link
• 1-page brief: How would you approach converting a 200,000 sq ft mall into mixed-use affordable housing with commercial on the ground floor?
• Completed answers to the questionnaire below with a brief description and concrete examples

MANDATORY QUESTIONNAIRE

(Answer briefly and with concrete examples)

• Are you a U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident?
• Are you able to start immediately?
• Can you work 100% remotely with travel as needed?
• Are you open to an equity-only compensation model?
• Have you ever led an adaptive reuse conversion? Briefly describe it.
• Describe how you ensured ADA compliance in a past project.
• Provide an example of sustainable system integration you led.
• What LEED certification level have you helped a project achieve?
• How do you estimate ROM for structural modifications?
• Describe a project where you added mezzanines or additional floors.
• Have you worked with AI or algorithm-generated plans? How?
• Describe your role in a large-scale commercial-to-residential retrofit.
• How do you ensure local code compliance during rapid turnaround?
• Provide a brief example of a workaround you developed that met IBC.
• Have you designed for or consulted on high-resilience data facilities?
• What’s the fastest you’ve completed a feasibility study for conversion?
• What documentation or software do you rely on most?
• Have you ever had to defend your design to a municipal board? Describe.
• Are you willing to undergo a background check before being onboarded?

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Contract

Job function

• Job function

  Design, Art/Creative, and Information Technology

• Industries

  Building Construction

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