Three shift types in one firm
Design firms usually need a flexible shift for architects and designers, with core hours when everyone is present; a fixed shift for draughting, admin and accounts; and a night shift for fit-out supervisors. Put all three in the shift catalogue, each with a code and a colour, so the roster shows at a glance who is on which pattern and a principal can see the fit-out team's nights without asking.
- Studio flexible: core 11 am to 5 pm, eight-hour minimum
- Studio fixed: 10 am to 7 pm with an hour's break
- Fit-out night: 9 pm to 5:30 am with a half-hour break
- Studio weekly off: Sunday plus 2nd and 4th Saturdays
Night fit-out rosters
Malls and occupied office buildings often allow noisy fit-out work only after closing time, so a supervisor on a mall store fit-out may work 9 pm to 5:30 am for three weeks. Roster these nights in advance, flag the shift as a night shift so each night counts as one duty, and keep a weekly off within every seven days. Women supervisors may work these shifts with their consent and the government's safety conditions, and the firm should arrange safe transport home after the shift in any case.
Weekend work before a handover
Handover weekends are common in interior work: the client wants to move in on Monday, so the snag list is closed on Saturday and Sunday. Instead of cancelling weekly offs at the last minute, give the site team personal weekly offs on Monday and Tuesday for the handover week, or let supervisors swap weekly offs among themselves. A swap needs the other supervisor's agreement and sign-off from the project manager and HR before it shows on the roster.
Keeping the studio together
Flexible hours can drift until the team is never in the room at the same time. Hold design reviews and client calls inside the core window, and use the day grid to see who is on which shift during a submission week. If some designers prefer early starts and others late finishes, that is fine within the core hours; what matters is that the principal can call a review at 3 pm and find everyone at their desks.
How to set it up in ZeniaHR
- In Shifts & Roster, create a flexible studio shift with core and minimum hours, and a fixed 10 to 7 shift for draughting and admin.
- Create a fit-out night shift, flag it as a night shift, and give it its own grace and full-day hours.
- Put the studio weekly off pattern, such as Sundays plus 2nd and 4th Saturdays, on the studio shifts.
- Assign fit-out supervisors to the night shift in bulk for the job's dates, and set personal weekly offs for handover weeks.
- Allow shift swaps between site supervisors, approved by the project manager and HR before the roster changes.
- Check the day grid during submission and handover weeks to confirm who is on which shift.
Read more about shifts and rosters in ZeniaHR.
Roles this applies to
See shift scheduling for architecture and interior firms in a demo
We set up your locations, shifts and rules on a video call and show it running for your team. Free for your first 50 employees.
Book a free demoSee pricingFrequently asked questions
What are typical working hours in an architecture firm?
Many studios work roughly 10 am to 7 pm, often with flexible start and finish times around core hours such as 11 am to 5 pm. Submission weeks run later. The OSH Code limits ordinary work to eight hours a day, so regular long days need an overtime or comp-off policy.
How do interior firms schedule night fit-out work?
They roster supervisors on a night shift for the job's dates, often from 9 pm to early morning when malls or offices are closed. Each night counts as one duty, a weekly off is kept, and women staff work nights only with their consent and safe transport home.
Should designers have fixed or flexible shifts?
Flexible shifts with core hours suit most designers, because design work does not fit neatly into fixed hours and a late night needs a later start the next day. Fixed shifts suit draughting, admin and accounts. Many firms use both, assigned by role.
Can site supervisors swap weekly offs during a handover?
Yes. One supervisor proposes the swap, the colleague agrees in the app, and it takes effect once the project manager and HR have both signed off. This keeps weekly offs intact during a handover without last-minute cancellations.