Text and visuals: Association of Consulting Architects (ACA)

Architects are sometimes called the canaries of the construction industry because they are the first to notice changes in the construction industry market. The profession had been facing a challenging economic environment for some time, but, prior to the 2014 Federal Budget, things had started to look up in some areas.

So, what does the budget mean for practices and the profession? This week, the Association of Consulting Architects (ACA) surveyed architects to find out. The results reveal a strong concern about the future. Only seven percent of respondents think the budget will have a positive effect on their own practice, while a mere five percent see it having a positive effect on the wider profession. This contrasts with 67 percent who think it will have a negative effect on the profession and 26 percent who believe it will have both positive and negative effects.

Those practices working in the areas of affordable housing, education, health and sustainability were the most concerned, while those in transport and infrastructure were most optimistic. However, this optimism was tempered by some who argued that the emphasis on infrastructure-as-roads would mean little work for architects.

Positive outlooks were framed terms of an expected rise in business confidence and improved investment climate, but the majority of respondents felt that little of this would flow on to architectural practices as capital expenditure reduces in many sectors. Some noted they had already cut costs and reduced fees in response to existing tight markets and that there is limited scope for further reductions – one respondent noted that a job had already been cancelled because of the budget. Others pointed to the difficulty of navigating personal circumstances – for example, there was a comment that a rise in childcare costs combined with low industry fees may mean that a sole practice was no longer economically viable.

As well as addressing shorter-term concerns about practices and the profession, the survey asked respondents to consider whether in the long-term Australian society would be better off as a result of this budget. Only 28 percent thought that this would be the case – with the predominant rationale relating to the need to curb debt. But even some who agreed with this felt that that budget is not ‘fair’. The majority of comments expressed concern about the social costs of such a strategy, about increased stratification and widening gaps within Australian society and the move towards a society where the economy is seen as the ‘only determinant of success’. This tension was succinctly summed up by this response – ‘from an economic point of view, yes, from a social point of view, no’.

A number of respondents were also worried about long-term effects on the profession. This included concerns about the rising cost of university education making architecture a profession for the elite, which will result in less diversity of graduates and less security of employment. One respondent noted: ‘I feel that I would not have been able to become an architect had this budget been in place when I was young. This means the demographic of those entering the profession could be limited to one group and affect the architectural outcome for the different demographics in society. A hobby for wealthy and employed only for the wealthy.’

The good news is that over half the respondents have business plans in place to help navigate changing circumstances, but many are finding that their options are contracting. Strategies vary – they include analysing economic projections and forecasts, diversifying services and markets, continuing to develop strong client relationships, no new employment and considering redundancies and reducing overheads and spending. One notable positive response was ‘employ more staff’.

Some strategies are effective in the short term, but do not help build a sustainable practice or profession in the long-term. For example fee-cutting is a widespread industry response that leads to serious long-term problems for both the practices and the profession. It can also result in more difficult, expensive and protracted building processes for the client and lesser quality built outcomes. Employing the majority of staff on contract is another tactic that helps to manage short-term budgets, but respondents were aware that this does not help build knowledge, experience and commitment to a practice long-term.

The ACA initiated the survey because it was concerned that the cuts signaled in the budget would have a negative impact on many in the profession. The results of the survey reinforce this concern. We urge practices and the profession to continue to strategise carefully and with both short- and long-term outcomes in mind. The ACA will work to develop further resources and research to assist with this.

The ACA focuses on the business of architecture and firmly believes that good business practices are essential to building a viable, sustainable profession – one that can make a serious contribution to Australian society while also providing a fulfilling, financially sound and equitable career for employers and employees alike. It is essential for the profession to work together to achieve this. The ACA is committed to helping architectural practices navigate the business context of architectural practice, and works vigorously to deliver the best business environment and conditions for architects. To do this we need as many architects to participate as possible.

The ACA is a member-based organisation representing architectural practices. The ACA leads the discussion of business and architecture in Australia through advocacy, providing resources, research and advocacy.

The ACA Federal Budget Impact Survey ran for three days and was open to all. The majority of respondents were directors, partners or owners of an architectural practice, but the ACA also received comment from employed architects and others active in the profession. Respondents came from firms ranging from sole practitioners to firms of over 100 staff, with the profile of respondents reflecting the structure of the profession.

The full results of the survey are available on the ACA website.