RIBA’s Barometer reaches new record

state of play architects

Architects’ confidence about upcoming work is at a new high, according to the RIBA.

Its February index for its Future Trends survey stood at +41 – up from the +36 recorded for the previous month.

All UK nations have returned positive figures with Scotland the most optimistic region with a score +60 followed by London at + 54.

Private housing and commercial work lead the way in sectors returning positive figures with public sector workloads, at +8, also beginning to make a mark.

RIBA director of practice Adrian Dobson said: “Anecdotal commentary received continues to paint a picture of a widespread pick-up in the level of enquiries and new commissions and an increase in the amount of work progressing beyond planning.”

But he warned: “Our practices continue to report a very competitive market for their services, particularly for smaller scale projects, and little sign of any reduction in pressure on fee levels.”

The survey also showed that the number of architects who had been under-employed during the period rose by one point to +19.

This story first appeared on Building Design.