Is a Rebound in the Architecture Profession on the Horizon?

Finally, some good (?) news for the decimated architecture profession. A survey conducted recently by McGraw-Hill Construction predicts that by 2014, U.S. architecture firms expect a shortage of qualified designers, reports William Hanley.

1 minute read

September 27, 2012, 8:00 AM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


"The survey of 1,007 U.S. designers found that nearly one-quarter of
respondents anticipated a shortage of architects resulting from a
combination of designers exiting the profession, baby boomers retiring, a
lack of skills among architects looking for work, and less talent in
the pipeline as job prospects discourage students from entering the
field," writes Hanley.

Although the expected deficit reflects the effects of four arduous years of declining revenues, layoffs, and general discouragement, the shortage may finally put architects in a position to demand better salaries and working conditions.  

"Architecture firms need to think strategically," said Harvey M. Bernstein, vice president of industry insight and alliances for McGraw-Hill Construction. "Not
only about how to draw talented professionals to their firms, but also
about how they will attract more architects to the profession."

Tuesday, September 25, 2012 in Architectural Record

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