The world is becoming more complex and there are increasing demands upon the built environment. Architects have an extraordinary task to translate the ever-evolving needs of society into tangible, effective and sustainable solutions.
Architects must address issues including climate crisis, rapid urbanization, population density and housing shortages. These issues require a new way of thinking about architecture that questions the traditional way of working to address new challenges.
Architecture must adapt, evolve and innovate to meet new challenges. One thing that is changing the industry is the availability of data and the continuing evolution of technology that will facilitate new ways of thinking, creating and engaging with the built environment.
Architecture as a profession will continue to be significantly impacted by the development of new technologies, environmental concerns and the changing needs of society. This means that architecture and architects need to anticipate the potential shift to possible entirely digital design processes in the future.
The digital transformation is causing a metamorphosis of architecture. Data has become fundamental to how people work and companies from a wide spectrum of fields are successfully integrating data into their daily workflow. More and better data allows architecture professionals to deliver user-oriented projects that seamlessly integrate into their surrounding environments.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the field of architecture is expected to grow 5% between 2022 and 2032, faster than the average for all occupations. Approximately 8,200 new openings for architects are projected each year, on average, over the decade. The demand forIndustrial Architectsis high because there is a growing need for modern and efficient industrial facilities to support economic growth and development.
It is improbable that AI will fully replace architects in the short term. The architectural landscape is evolving rapidly, and although new applications will continue to surface, a clearer comprehension of AI’s capabilities and boundaries must be achieved.
Researchers estimate that37% of architecture and engineering work tasks could be automated by AI, placing it among the most-exposed industries. Examples includedata entry, basic customer service roles, and bookkeeping.
Architecture is not an obsolete field of study or major in most societies worldwide. There are still plenty of lucrative job opportunities for younger generations in architecture. The demand for traditional architects will likely declineas more new technologies become more prevalent.
Architecture demands dedication and a rigorous educational path andits adaptability, potential for entrepreneurship, and diverse career opportunities make it a solid choice for those seeking long-term career flexibility and fulfillment.
The future may see architects becoming developers and founding firms that vertically integrate both architecture and real estate development. They may act as the “design architect” for their projects and still need an “architect of record” with the liability for the design.
Closing Thought
“As an architect, you design for the present, with an awareness of the past for a future which is essentially unknown” — Norman Foster, British architect and designer.
Glenn Ebersole is a registered professional engineer and Business Development Manager at PM Design Group, a nationally licensed A&E firm in West Chester, with 14 offices across the U.S. He can be contacted at gebersole@pmdginc.com or 717-575-8572.
