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

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.

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

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

Car Designs Make it Harder to See Pedestrians
Blind spots created by thicker pillars built to withstand rollover crashes are creating dangerous conditions for people outside vehicles.

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions
An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.

What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?
The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.
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.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie