RIBA Index Reflects Confidence

The RIBA Future Trends Workload Index was unchanged in
December 2014, reflecting continuing confidence in the medium-term outlook for the architectural services market.
Workload forecast balance figures were positive in all nations and
regions of the UK with the most positive figures reported in
Scotland (+75) and Northern
Ireland (+50). In terms of practice size, small practices remain
positive about the outlook for future workloads (with a balance
figure of +22), but medium-sized practices and large-sized practices
continue to be more optimistic about workload prospects in the
next quarter.

In terms of different sectors, the private housing sector workload
forecast fell back marginally to +25 in December 2014, down from +26 in November 2014. The private housing sector continues to be the most robust, supported by continuing low interest rates and
the ongoing Government Help to Buy schemes to assist home lending.

The commercial sector workload forecast lost some momentum this
month, falling back to +17 in December 2014 from +20 in
November 2014. By contrast the public sector workload forecast (+7) and the community sector workload forecast (+6) both improved.

RIBA Director of Practice Adrian Dobson said: “December 2014’s
Future Trends Survey results concur with the ONS figures showing architects’ unemployment at the lowest levels since mid- 2008 evidence of a real improvement in the economic outlook for the profession.”

However, he added: “The challenge in this recovery is that as spare capacity within the profession reduces, we are beginning to see signs of practices encountering difficulties in attracting new staff with the right mix of skills and experience, particularly in areas such as
Building Information Modelling.”