Archinect - News

Architectural job market expected to increase 5% by 2032, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says

2023-10-09T18:38:00-04:00

A new report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has predicted a period of growth of job seekers in the architectural field, providing a possible sign of hope for the labor market at a time when economic downturn and the rise of artificial intelligence have spurred fears of an employment crisis in the industry within the next decade.

Data that was released in last week’s Economic Outlook Report predicts a 5% increase in the number of architects employed in the overall economy by the year 2032. A total of 8,200 jobs will be added per year over that timespan on average, according to the report. The figures indicate a faster job growth rate for architects versus other occupations in the country. The Bureau says the demand stems mostly from a need to replace workers who will either retire or exit the architectural workforce entirely.

During that time, the total number of architects working in the United States is expected to grow from 123,700 to 129,700. That’s more than the 119,90...

What will the future of architectural education look like?

2020-10-15T14:47:00-04:00

It's safe to say that nobody knows what the future of architectural education will be. These days it's hard to know what next month will bring us. Few people would argue, however, that academia is ripe for change, as are many facets of modern life that have not evolved at the pace the world has changed in recent decades.

To address this necessary change, we invite you to join us for a special discussion this upcoming Monday, from 1-2 pm EST / 10-11 am PST, featuring a distinguished panel of leaders of architectural education. Deans from across the country will be addressing, head-on, the change they hope to see, and the challenges they currently face to make that change.

To RSVP for this virtual panel, please click the "reserve" button at this link. Space is limited and registration is required to attend.

The Panelists

Hernán Díaz Alonso has been the director of the Southern California Institute of Architecture since 2015, where is held the position of distinguished faculty membe...

The AIA has some advice about leadership succession

2019-09-01T15:00:00-04:00

As a firm leader begins to plan the next season of life away from their business, succession becomes a natural point of focus. "Current principals and owners should look ahead, recruiting employees who have the potential to take the firm into the next generation and providing them with professional development opportunities that will ensure their success," writes the American Institute of Architects.

The organization emphasizes the importance of development and retention to the next generation of leaders, advocating fair compensation and adequate mentorship to ensure employees will "remain with the firm and contribute to its future success."

NCARB is studying how technology and shifts in practice could impact the future of licensure

2019-07-26T19:30:00-04:00

In the span of 25 years, the profession has transitioned from paper-and-pencil drafting to Building Information Modeling (BIM). While no one technology will completely alter the architect’s role,...three technologies will have the greatest impact on the profession: generative design, computational analysis, and automation.

Established in 2017, NCARB's Futures Collaborative seeks to explore challenges and opportunities facing the architecture profession. It is composed of leading architects, experts in emerging technologies, and architectural licensing board members. For the past two years, the collaborative has been exploring how emerging trends in technology and practice will influence the future of licensure and the architect's role.

"Code compliance—previously considered one of the most important roles of an architect—is also being automated through BIM," NCARB writes, concluding that "technology has the potential to fully automate functions related to health and safety." This could result in the architects of the future focusing more time on aspects of welfare.

In the end, NCARB still needs to determine what "an architecture license of the future" will look like and what responsibilities will accompany it. The Futures Collaborative is still in the midst of its research phase. After further progr...

Is architecture shifting from a profession to a lifestyle choice?

2016-02-17T13:42:00-05:00

“Practicing” architecture is moving from a profession that focuses on building buildings as its highest calling, to a lifestyle that appreciates the beauty of architectural design, real or fantastic. This shift has two underlying realities. Just like the musician who lives his art, or the athlete who loves her sport, there are people that love architectural design, deeply, but fewer architects are needed to create buildings in this generation.

"The lack of need is based on less construction activity (a normal cycle, but now longer than any living architect has experienced) and the fact that technology has pre-empted the body count necessary per building design."

For more on the current status of the profession, check out these articles:

Florida man stumps neighbors by covering home in aluminum foil

2015-10-06T20:12:41-04:00

"Fuck YES!" - A commentator