Downturn Hits Architecture Firms

23 April 2009 - 5:00am

With high-profile private-sector clients scaling back prestige projects in the face of the economic downturn, architectural firms are looking instead to institutional clients and retrofitting existing buildings.

"Like other businesses, architecture practices have had to trim staff. They are also shifting gears to pick up the commercial slack by taking on more public and institutional work. As well, instead of putting shape to new buildings, they are taking on contracts to help retrofit old ones. They're also facing more competition from U.S. architecture firms that are looking north of the border for work.

Until the economy picks up again [firms] expect to see many developers switch from erecting new buildings to modernizing some of their older ones."

Full Story: Architects draft blueprint for hard times

Source: The Globe and Mail, April 21, 2009