The results of the eleventh economic trends survey undertaken by the Architects’ Council of Europe show that the architectural market is likely to remain at a standstill in the coming months. However, there are some tentative signs suggesting possible improvements.

The eleventh ACE economic trends survey reveals that the architectural profession remains very pessimistic: around two third of European architects who responded to the survey consider that the economic climate in which they are currently working, is not favourable to their activities, and only 6% declared themselves to be optimistic about the current situation for architectural practice in Europe.
However, figures show that the situation differs significantly from one country to another. Whereas the countries of Southern and Central Europe seem to remain in an impasse, levels of optimism in Northern Europe, headed by Sweden and Finland, are very high.

Most architects (47.5%) expect their global workload to remain stable for the next three months. Compared with the beginning of the year, fewer respondents foresee a decrease in their workload (29.8%, compared with 34.1% in January 2013) and around one fifth even anticipate an increase. The analysis of the breakdown by building type reveals an improvement in the private housing sector: whereas 43% of respondents expected a decrease in their activities in January 2013, this figure had reduced to 34% by August, while 20.5% even believe their workload will increase (compared with 16.1% in January 2013).

Regarding public housing and commercial projects, no significant change has been observed since the beginning of the year.Given overall stable workload forecasts, and in spite of the adverse economic climate, a large majority of respondents (67.8%) is not expecting any change in staff numbers in the short term.

Fewer than one fifth of respondents (18.6%) intend to reduce staff in the coming months (compared with 20.8% in January 2013).The survey shows, therefore, that the general mood among the profession remains pessimistic while the architectural market is at a standstill. However, the situation seems to have stabilised and there are some tentative signs and positive trends suggesting possible improvements in the not too distant future.

The eleventh ACE economic trends survey was carried out in August 2013 and received more than 3.200 responses. These surveys are carried out every six months and allow the ACE to get a picture of the nature and extent of the economic crisis in the field of architecture.

For the full survey results, click here