How Is The Pandemic Affecting The Architecture Profession?

How Is The Pandemic Affecting The Architecture Profession?

The coronavirus pandemic has had a serious impact on how we all lead our lives and how businesses now operate - but what sort of effect has it had on the architecture profession?

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has just published the results of a two-week survey looking into how the current situation is affecting the sector, finding that many are now finding it hard to work because of school closures.

Some 30 per cent say that family disruption and altered caring responsibilities are now having an impact on their ability to work, with 81 per cent now working entirely remotely or from home.

This has led to some concerns regarding the ability to take work on because of the suitability of the infrastructure that’s available at home, coupled with changes to how communication takes place.

Individual income has also been affected, with 45 per cent of survey respondents saying they have seen a drop - with many now uncertain about what the future holds. And a fifth of those asked said they had seen a reduction in their working hours, with extra pressure piled on because of increased uncertainty and additional responsibilities.

In terms of actual projects, 79 per cent are now reporting delays in this regard, with 37 per cent saying they have started seeing cancellations. Delays are being caused by factors including site closures, new delays within the planning system and disruption caused by having to work from home.

Head of policy and public affairs Andrew Forth recently explained how the RIBA has been working with the government to help support architects at this difficult time, saying how the team have been working with MPs and civil servants on a daily basis to raise the concerns of those in the sector.

For example, the government was urged to consider ways to provide support to individuals who do not fit the current criteria for the new Self-Employed Income Support Scheme, such as smaller, newer architecture practices.

A letter was also written to secretary of state for business and industry Nadhim Zahawi, outlining how architecture skills can be used to help create personal protective equipment, which is now needed urgently.

Some architecture practices have the machinery in place, such as 3D printing and rapid prototyping, skills and software to produce necessary equipment and the hope is that the government will take the RIBA up on its offer of support and expertise.

The need for support to arrive faster was also highlighted in a conversation with the Treasury, emphasising the challenges faced by those who right now don’t qualify for support. It was also stressed that in order for the package to be effective, it must be extended to include other groups, such as those paid via dividends rather than salaries.

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