BD hears the industry’s fears and hopes for the coming year

Things will remain difficult for the architectural profession in the UK for at least another two, if not three, years with a double-dip in construction being the greatest fear.

A second, general, recession in the UK is a distinct possibility, and will crystallise quite quickly if the Eurozone countries do not find away to avert a new “credit crunch” – in which case all bets are off.

China, I feel, is showing the early signs of an over-heated economy. This will affect the supply side of the equation and those economies that have become reliant on their sustained demand for all things combustible and western.

On the plus side, the UK will continue its London bias and geographically specific practices will continue to thrive, as is seen with our own order book of 1.23m sq ft of live planning applications.

This is also likely to be the only market where architects have a chance of finding longer-term employment – growth overseas is good for qualified staff in those markets, not necessarily here.

Finally, although the RIBA may not yet have fully embraced it, there is strong possibility of further polarisation in UK practices – the big continuing to grow (and recruit, although perhaps not from the UK), and the small getting smaller or fragmenting.

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