Practicing ArchitecturePracticing Architecture

Navigating the Economy

We all know that times are tough. Whether you’re already employed at an architecture firm and struggling with the uncertain economy or seeking a job at a firm in this recession, we offer a host of resources, tools, and tips to help you plot your course through these tough times.

	Final ABI for 2012 Caps Strongest Year Since 2007 A steadily improving economy is spurring on construction activity in most regions of the county, and stimulating speculative development.
	Steady Increase in U.S. Construction Activity Projected Through 2014 Hotel, office, and retail buildings are expected to lead a commercial architecture resurgence.
	Latest ABI Reflects Strongest Growth in Nearly Five Years The housing market has been a consistently strong sector of the economy for months, but persistent worries about the federal government’s response to growing debt has made this recovery tenuous.

Additional News

• Government Executive; Small businesses neglected in GSA procurement modernization, lawmakers fear.
• Architectural Record; How to Get Your Project Published: 7 Tips.
• American Institute of Architects; Hired on the Spot.
• ForConstructionPros; Construction Economy Outlook: Recovery Has Begun and Will Extend into 2014.
• Reed Construction Data Complimentary Webcast: “Where is Construction Headed?” Nov. 8, 3-4:30 pm EST, Featuring Kermit Baker, Hon. AIA, Chief Economist of the AIA, Ken Simonson, Chief Economist of AGC of America, and Bernard Markstein, Chief Economist of Reed Construction Data.

AIA Webinars

• the Right Workforce for Your Future will cover: the impact a great work environment has on attraction and retention of top talent, best practices in hiring and development and how to develop a high performance team.
• Winning Tactics to Making Intelligent Choices When Purchasing Business. This webinar presents useful methods and approaches to help small firm practices make intelligent choices when purchasing professional liability, business office package, umbrella liability, and workers’ compensation insurance coverage.

Additional AIA Resources

• Best Practices; Ten Essential Steps of Marketing Planning features a 10 step outline of how to form a concise marketing plan to help firms achieve a higher level of business success.
• AIA Supplemental Services; Detailed Cost Estimating is the process of predicting the cost of a facility through quantitative analysis of the work required by the design documents.
• KnowledgeNet; Pin It to Win It: Pinterest for Architects.
• Students Call for Pro Bono Work in Exchange for Loan Relief. The financial challenges currently facing emerging professionals and the opportunities for young architects to help their communities have been the driving force behind the AIA/AIAS Student Loan Initiative launched in April 2012.
• Considerations Regarding the Future of the Architecture Profession (Collateral Discussion, March 2012) Power point. Unusual volatility led to an unprecedented housing boom and economic collapse.
• Research Resource Center provides insights and analysis of the economic factors that shape the business of architecture.
• Virtual Convention combines the most popular aspects on the live convention- education and exhibit booths and makes them accessible to members in a convenient, online environment.
• for a new career, sign up and post your resume on the Career Center which enables companies to contact you.
• Search for recently listed jobs in the field at Featured Jobs.
• a stalled project? Connect with investors to move your stalled project forward at Stalled Projects.