Job market for architects set to grow dynamically

on Friday,January 23,2009 22:01

Demographic and industrial trends indicate that demand for architects will grow faster than the average for all occupations for the next several years.

The estimates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook put the growth figure at around 18 percent for the 2006-2016 period.

The collapse of the housing market will undoubtedly take a toll, but the BLS points out that residential construction makes up only a small part of architects’ work.

Similarly, a decrease in non-residential projects, often seen in recessions, is likely to be moderated by continuing or stronger - depending on government spending plans - demand in the area of institutional building design, including schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and correctional facilities.

Regarding general trends, the fact that people live longer and baby-boomers retire means that there will be higher demand for new healthcare facilities, nursing homes and retirement communities, according to the Handbook.

The projections stress a growing demand for "green" design - emphasizing energy efficiency, renewable resources, environmentally friendly materials, and waste reduction - and architects with knowledge and experience in those areas are expected to do particularly well.