Disrupted: The Architecture Profession
Architects are on the precipice of uncharted territory. The rules of traditional architecture no longer apply, and the profession as we know it will be disrupted and redefined.
“The design world is on a rocket ship of change”
Society is rapidly changing before our eyes. In Big Shifts Ahead: Demographic Clarity for Businesses, authors John Burns and Chris Porter of John Burns Real Estate Consulting identify four big influencers that shape generational shifts — technology, government, economy and societal shifts. In a recent study by DesignIntelligence, President and C.E.O. David G. Gilmore stated “The design world is on a rocket ship of change, yet professionals are left to learn as they go, hoping to catch up and keep up. But that’s a fool’s errand. Unless we stop, disengage from the daily grind for a period, and commit to some form of reorientation and deep-dive learning, we will fall further behind in what is necessary for present relevance.” The architecture profession and education system must evolve as these influencers are further playing a role in drastically redefining what it means to be an architect.
Technology
Augmented reality (AR), or mixed reality (MR), and virtual reality (VR) are the new toys in the profession and a growing industry in their own right. VR is an immersive experience where a user wears goggles and gloves or controls to view and interact with a computer generated three dimensional image or environment. AR/MR systems superimpose three dimensional images over the user’s view of the real world, creating a composite view. The following video by The Verge displays the AR/MR experience and conveys the difference from VR.
It has become an arms race of how to effectively utilize the technology. Many have committed to VR because of the immersive quality and experience for clients. However, AR/MR will likely have greater impact for design. Pairing a quick modeling program such as SketchUp with the technology of an AR/MR system like Microsoft HoloLens will change the way we design. Currently the HoloLens plugin allows users to collaborate with their team and clients via chat and audio and view models which can be infinitely reconstructed and rescaled. SketchUp tools like the tape measure and entity info tools allow users to more readily engage with the model from a design perspective. Imagine the ability to visit the job site and project a 1:1 scale model within its actual context and the flexibility to make design decisions and revisions in the field without the cost and time commitment of construction. Watch the following video for a demonstration of the SketchUp viewer for HoloLens.
Government
Government policies in various areas such as homeownership and development, business, education and foreign policy have a cascade effect on the building industry and architects. Stringent and outdated zoning ordinances, exorbitant permit and processing fees, rising land costs and a diminished labor force put a strain on the building industry. Combined with the new conservative business models, builders, still scared from the recent recession, are being pushed outside of their comfort zone to consider new ways to make projects profitable.
An influx of online discussion and companies focused on the concept of modular and panelized construction are trending in the industry. For years builders were complacent, dismissing this concept out of fear of the unknown. It must now be considered as a viable solution to address current industry concerns. Modular and panelized construction consists of maufacturing the components of a building in the controlled environment of a factory. For example, sections of a wall are built to include the structural framing, insulation, electrical and plumbing lines, windows and weatherproofing, then shipped as one unit to the job site for quick installation. Entekra, Inc. is a design, engineering and manufacturing company that leverages the integration and application of software and automation for the off-site fabrication of their systems. What once required a large team over a long time period to construct in the difficult conditions of the field, can now take less labor to prefabricate in a controlled factory environment, allowing for a two day assembly in the field in some cases.
The efficiency of the modular/panelized construction method requires less labor on the job site, lowers material waste, provides more consistent quality and construction and reduces building time and construction costs. Studies show that depending on the complexity of the project, costs can be reduced by 10 to 15 percent, construction time can be reduced by 3 to 8 weeks, and material consumption can be reduced by 15 to 20 percent. This technique has been and is being utilized throughout Europe with great success. It was initially implemented in the U.S. in the 1950s, but gained minimal traction, except for some states such as Texas, in part because of the unconventional system and lack of comfort with the concept when so much capital was at risk. In addition, the technique was implicated as being limited in design. While partially true in the past, technology has made significant strides to address this concern. Builders will soon adopt this method in droves to respond to current obstacles. In fact, while much of the building industry has outwardly refused to entertain the idea, many have unknowingly already gone the path of prefabricated construction as many of today’s roof structures are prefabricated truss systems. Architects must be prepared to work and design efficiently for modular construction and understand any limits, requirements, and best practices for the technique in order to promote knowledge and experience in this method.
Economy
In the short term, builders will look to cut costs on the expenses for service providers. Architects will receive even more pressure to lower fees. Unless the profession actively stands together to push back, the profession will be required to make drastic changes in structure to survive. Architects will then need to cut their own expenses by lowering overhead costs of office space, equipment and benefits. Firms will be limited to leadership, administrative staff, and a lean core of project management staff. The majority of work will be outsourced to freelance consultants. A study by software company Intuit suggests that more than 40 percent of the U.S. workforce will be freelance or temporary employees by 2020. Advancements in technology and the ability of telecommuting has provided a flexibility that questions the fundamental structure of office work. How often do you actually collaborate with a team? Is it always necessary to discuss in person? With the tools and processes we use in architecture today and the cyclical nature of the building industry, this is not a far fetched idea. Moreover, many employees may actually embrace and invite the change in structure.
Society
Generations Y and Z are spurring a great shift in society. Generation Y, America’s largest generation, is estimated to make up 75% of the workforce by 2025 and is inspiring fundamental shifts to business and culture. These generations reached impressionable ages during a string of highly publicized tragedies such as the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, the 1999 Columbine shootings, terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the recent Las Vegas mass shooting and various other incidents. They have developed a mindset of enjoying each day of their lives and pursuing passions because you never know when it will be taken away.
This desire to pursue happiness and growing opportunities of how to achieve it will also contribute to redefining what it means to be an architect. According to a report by Architectural Record on the Top Architecture Schools of 2018, data gathered from research firm DesignIntelligence reveals that only 40 percent of architecture students plan to work for a traditional architecture firm after graduation. Even more alarming, 14 percent of students are undecided of what to do after graduation and 15 percent intend to work for corporations like Google.
Growing tech and gaming industries provide excitement and healthier salaries that can subjugate the financial sacrifice that is required to enter the architectural profession. The opportunity to even blaze your own trail has become more enticing. Assuming you have a talent and service that is desired, sole proprietors have never had greater access to opportunities or the ability to promote themselves to the masses. The new architect can focus on passion projects — writing, creating products and online content, podcasting, developing housing solutions for the needy — the opportunities are endless.
The landscape of architecture has been disrupted. The design world is rapidly evolving as professionals explore the possibilities of the new world. Architects must gain a better understanding of business and the concepts that drive today’s business decisions. School curriculum must incorporate new design and construction techniques, and have a broadened scope of business and management, marketing, and finance to better prepare graduates to survive in today’s business climate and the adaptive nature that technology has ushered in. Educators and company leadership must not only understand that the evolution is occurring, but determine what is relevant to the profession today and into the future, and be a willing participant in adapting to the new reality in order for the profession to survive and thrive.
If you enjoyed this piece, please comment and press the 👏 below, it helps more people see it. Thank you!