Strategies for Surviving the Recession

Posted by Andree Iffrig Mar 22, 2009

In the most recent issue of Architectural Record, editor Robert Ivy, FAIA, reminds readers that preservation of existing building stock is a good alternative to building new. Doing the right thing ecologically makes good economic sense and may be a silver lining in this recession.

Strategies that architectural practices are adopting for survial include reducing hours worked so that more employees retain their jobs and cutting salaries across the board to spread the pain. Tactics for finding work run from making the most of an existing business network to working in another field that might eventually become a specialty in architectural practice.

Architects of all ages and experience might find that this is an ideal time to re-evaluate what being an architect is all about. Meeting in informal groups of like-minded peers, it is possible to revive the heart of work and identify new ways to realize a dream of service to community. Self-directed peer learning groups can explore big questions, such as:

• Are we relevant and do we really make a difference?
• What social, environmental and financial impacts do we deliver?
• Does our economic model fit with our values and is it driving the kinds of projects and services we want to deliver?

There is value in exploring beyond the usual tacit understanding of what being an architect means. In the heady run-up to the recession, most architects were too busy to bother with this kind of challenging self-reflection. Taking time now cultivates big picture thinking. It also positions practitioners for a positive response when the economy finally turns around.