Archinect

For National Volunteer Week 2025, we honor the architectural community’s incredible response to January’s LA wildfires—featuring Jessica Orlando of AIA Pasadena & Foothill, whose Ask an Architect program aids homeowners rebuilding lives. "The feedback we have gotten has been great because there were so many people looking for a tangible way to make a positive impact," Orlando tells us. https://lnkd.in/gd8QAzgd

The UK's Architects Registration Board is advancing three new University of Leeds architecture degrees that meet its updated Competency Outcomes, marking the first alternative to the traditional Parts 1–3 and two-year practice model. — Thoughts? https://lnkd.in/gSzeMDZa

The March AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index dipped again to 44.1, down from 45.5 in February—marking 27 declines over the past 30 months. 📉 With design contracts falling for the 13th month and new project inquiries also dropping, architects across the U.S. are feeling the weight of economic uncertainty, interest rate shifts, and tariff threats. "Clients are increasingly cautious...this softness in firm billings is likely to continue," says AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker. But it’s not all bleak—project backlogs are holding steady at a "reasonably healthy" 6.5 months, offering a cushion for firms navigating this tough stretch. 📊 March ABI highlights: • Regional averages: South (48.3); Midwest (45.5); West (43.0); Northeast (40.5) • Sector index breakdown: institutional (46.2); mixed practice (firms that do not have at least half of their billings in any one other category) (46.1); commercial/industrial (45.1); multifamily residential (40.3) • Project inquiries index: 47.7 • Design contracts index: 42.4 How is your firm adapting to this extended slowdown? Let’s discuss.

Today's Employer of the Day is Sweet Sparkman Architecture & Interiors. They're currently hiring Project Architects in Saint Petersburg and Sarasota. https://lnkd.in/g6idM2nC #ArchinectJobs #ArchinectEOTD #ArchitectureJobs #SaintPetersburgJobs #SarasotaJobs

In today's AEC economic news 📈: Construction starts rose 3% in March to a $1.1T annual rate, per Dodge Construction Network data. Nonresidential up 6%, nonbuilding up 9%, while residential fell 5%. Year-to-date, overall starts are down 1% from 2024. "Construction activity grew over the month, but sector-specific data continued to show mixed trends," Eric Gaus, chief economist at Dodge Construction Network, shared. "Looking ahead, growing uncertainty around trade policy and the direction of the economy will likely weigh on construction activity. Rising delays in the planning pipeline suggest that developers are already bracing for impact, grappling with higher tariffs, dwindling federal funding, and ongoing labor shortages. We expect headwinds to grow as long as the uncertainty remains." How is the economy feeling in your region and market? Share in the comments.

Now hiring 📣 Check out this week’s curated list of architecture & design jobs on Archinect Jobs—featuring openings at Abramson Architects, Letter Four, Perron-Roettinger, Format Architecture Office, and Via Collective in LA, San Luis Obispo, and NYC/Brooklyn. https://lnkd.in/g2WNgY5G

Today's Employer of the Day is Blitz. They're currently hiring a Job Captain in San Francisco. https://lnkd.in/gAvuiGwc #ArchinectJobs #ArchinectEOTD #ArchitectureJobs #SanFranciscoJobs #BayAreaJobs

10 tips for architects to survive downturns 📉 Former HOK CEO Patrick MacLeamy shares short- and long-term strategies with Archinect readers to help architecture firms of all sizes build resilience and navigate economic downturns more effectively. 1. Short term: Manage your clients Stay close to clients during downturns! Keep communication strong, meet regularly, and offer future planning. 2. Short term: Manage your staff Support your team! Communicate daily, keep staff, reduce salaries if needed, and lead by example. 3. Short term: Manage your cash Cash is key! Invoice quickly, follow up on payments, control spending, and keep cash available for stability. 4. Long term: Build a cash reserve Plan ahead! Build cash reserves, aim for six months’ cushion, and keep cash accessible for stability and growth. 5. Long term: Treat your staff well Invest in people! Treat staff well, pay fairly, promote growth, and build loyalty for long-term success. 6. Long term: Diversify by building type Diversify your projects! Expand into different sectors to stay resilient and balance market ups and downs. 7. Long term: Diversify by service Expand your services! Offer design, planning, interiors, and consulting to stay versatile and build client trust. 8. Long term: Diversify by client type Balance client types! Government projects stay steady in downturns—diversify to build resilience and stability. 9. Long term: Diversify by geography Expand globally! Diversify locations to balance market shifts, redirect resources, and boost resilience worldwide. 10. Long term: Don’t shy from growth Firm size matters, but leadership is key! Big firms have depth, small firms must be nimble—success starts there. What are your best strategies to manage rough economic waters? Share in the comments below.

Cal Poly Pomona architecture professor Aaron Cayer is among 2025’s 26 Carnegie Fellows for his research, 'The Architecture of Polarization,' exploring how buildings and builders shape U.S. politics, policy, and segregation. "While architects today remain fixated on aesthetics and signature designs—often with their noses to the grindstone," he tells us, "I hope projects like these will prompt them to look up and recognize the greater agency of their work." Read the full story on Archinect. https://lnkd.in/gnhvcxYZ

Looking to get a job in architecture right now? 🔍 Stand out to hiring firms seeking the right candidates by optimizing your Archinect profile, portfolio & CV. Here's how: https://lnkd.in/gw-Q7J4a