Medium and large practices report growing confidence while housing sector outlook weakens and London sentiment dips
Architects remain cautiously optimistic about future workloads, with confidence holding steady for a sixth month in a row, according to the July RIBA future trends survey.
The overall workload index for July rose slightly to +9, up from +8 in June. While 26% of practices anticipate workloads increasing over the next three months, 18% expect them to fall, and 56% foresee no change.
Larger practices remain the engine of optimism. Medium and large practices (11-plus staff) recorded a combined index of +34, up 10 points from June. Forty-three per cent expect growth, compared with just 9% anticipating contraction. Small practices (one to 10 staff) were more subdued, posting a flat index of +2.
The regional picture was mixed. Confidence in London collapsed to +1, having stood at +17 as recently as May. By contrast, sentiment strengthened in the Midlands and East Anglia (+14), Wales and the west (+22), the south of England (+5) and the north of England (+10).
Sector forecasts also diverged. Private housing confidence fell back to 0, down sharply from +16 in May, while commercial work ticked up to +9. The public sector remained positive at +4, and the community sector dipped slightly to +2.
The staffing index stayed at +1, indicating a broadly stable employment outlook. Six per cent of practices expect to employ more permanent staff, 5% expect to employ fewer, and 88% anticipate no change.
RIBA head of economic research and analysis Adrian Malleson said: “Architects continue to express optimism, though the market remains uncertain and uneven. Confidence is strongest among larger practices and in regions outside London, while private housing work is faltering.
“Practices report that, while enquiries are increasing, delays in planning and regulation are still restraining pipelines.”
>> Also read: UK Design Capital of the Year: How Cambridge is planning for a denser, more connected future
>> Also read: Patrick Campbell appointed head of studio at Foster + Partners
No comments yet