In the past four years, the real estate and housing downturn has drastically cut billings at architecture firms. However, the Architecture Billings Index shows improvement for a fourth consecutive month and the highest reading since November 2007.
The number of working architects dropped from 214,000 in 2007 to 153,000 in 2011. The sustained increase in billings is expected to help reverse this unemployment trend, as firms begin hiring designers to meet increased demand. "Rising billings also are viewed as a gauge of future construction activity because real-estate developers tend to break ground on new projects 9 to 12 months after they hire design firms," adds Robbie Whelan. "Construction generates large numbers of jobs for engineers, contractors and tradesmen." This could indicate not only an improving real estate and housing market, but also a broader economic recovery.
Architects are finding work with public-sector and non-profit organizations, including medical centers, colleges, and other institutions. "I think higher education has probably been the most-active market in the last year or two," said Alan Bombick, a principal with Legat. His firm is building a hotel for a mixed-use development coordinated by the University of Chicago. Neil Denari, a Los Angeles architect, said, "We're going to be putting more energy into pursuing educational projects, because that's where a lot of the work is."
FULL STORY: Demand for Architects Builds Momentum

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

The Subversive Car-Free Guide to Trump's Great American Road Trip
Car-free ways to access Chicagoland’s best tourist attractions.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion
The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont