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Matt
Joined: 13 Apr 2004
Posts: 520
Location: Sterling, Virginia
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 Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 4:30 pm Post subject: Who else is out of work? |
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| Closed the doors here today. Jeffery is looking, sounds like. How are y'all doing? |
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raleighross
Joined: 12 Aug 2004
Posts: 393
Location: Raleigh, NC
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| Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 6:03 pm Post subject: |
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So where are you located. That makes a big difference.
Around central NC, architects who were doing condos and/or working with developers are hurting really bad. One firm went from 130+ to <30 all 1/2 time in about 18 months. For others times are tight. Folks are pinching pennies. A few folks had things contracted before the mess hit and are doing OK for now. |
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Rob C
Joined: 14 Apr 2004
Posts: 572
Location: Southern Connecticut
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| Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 8:21 pm Post subject: |
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Very light with 2 small projects. Financially, this is the worst year I've had since 1982 when I graduated from architecture school.
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Rob
www.robertcoolidge.com |
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patrickm
Joined: 13 Apr 2004
Posts: 397
Location: santa barbara, ca
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| Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 8:59 pm Post subject: |
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| As a one man office, it doesn't take a lot to keep me busy. Also, doing both architecture and structural engineering kind of hedges my bets -- there is usually some type of work to do. I still have a pile of stuff awaiting the opportunity to work on it (primarily residential remodels and additions), but I have noticed a change in clients -- they assume I am sitting around with nothing to do and want things turned around much quicker than in the past. I don't have 6 months of work piled up like I used to, but I still probably have at least 3 months under contract. I do receive an awful lot of resumes, and most of the bigger firms in SB have dramatically downsized. |
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GaryV
Joined: 13 Apr 2004
Posts: 282
Location: Walnut Creek, CA
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| Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2009 12:21 am Post subject: I am out of work and looking for employment |
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I have been unemployed since January due to the acquisition of Longs Drugs by CVS (and elimination of my position). I have worked in retail design most of my career and right now just about all retailers I have spoken with have been scaling back the last 6 months or more and are continuing to have light workloads as capital projects are pushed back to at least 2010.
Despite the positive spin by the media, I just do not see it yet and the last 30-45 days have been particularly quiet. I remain optimistic but on the other hand realize I may still be in this position at year's end. I say that not as a pessimist, but one that has even tried branching out to healthcare and commercial office positions that have not panned out. So, it is not just architectural firms but those of us on the owner's side of things that are struggling also.
Has anyone had any luck landing as an outsourced resource for a company that would have ordinarily had inhouse staff handle the workload? I have tried that angle also without success. The bottom line is that the projects and capital dollars are just not being approved and allocated as everyone is afraid of their shadow right now.
Good luck to everyone. This too will pass....at some point!
Gary Veasy
veasy@mac.com
925.588.4077
Professional Profile:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/garyveasy
Portfolio and resume:
http://www.box.net/shared/6yxmgsb50a |
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pbacot
Joined: 15 Apr 2004
Posts: 958
Location: Northern California
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| Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 10:25 pm Post subject: |
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Keeping busy here, so far. Sonoma California.
Many jobs arise however, and look so close, but don't materialize like they used to. While at times I can still feel overwhelmed, the next week might feel like there could be nothing to do...
Sorry to hear about you guys losing work. My wife has also been affected by the state budget problems and had a cutback in hours. Her non-profit could close-up all together. Our biggest problem is the loss of our home's value because we bought a little before the fall. Ouch.
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Peter B |
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poolvibe
Joined: 16 Apr 2004
Posts: 368
Location: My Lair
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| Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 3:38 pm Post subject: |
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Picking up here in So Cal. Doing a lot of pool renovations and commercial projects. Few residential ones mixed in.
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www.shouldbefree.net |
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phansford
Joined: 18 Apr 2004
Posts: 829
Location: SW Ohio
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| Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 4:45 am Post subject: |
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| patrickm wrote: | | As a one man office, it doesn't take a lot to keep me busy. Also, doing both architecture and structural engineering kind of hedges my bets -- there is usually some type of work to do. I still have a pile of stuff awaiting the opportunity to work on it (primarily residential remodels and additions), but I have noticed a change in clients -- they assume I am sitting around with nothing to do and want things turned around much quicker than in the past. I don't have 6 months of work piled up like I used to, but I still probably have at least 3 months under contract. I do receive an awful lot of resumes, and most of the bigger firms in SB have dramatically downsized. |
+1
Also a one man office - with the occasional assistant, it is easier to find work for one person than a group - which I did when I worked for a large A/E firm. I had an assistant until last July - who I let go for other reasons than the economy, but the economy would have forced that issue at some point.
I do a lot of small public work which has remained steady. I have a number of open contract PO's and I typically can create work out of those contracts. ie: I have some money left on one and I am working to get the client (a public agency) to have us conduct the programming for an office addition they are planning this year.
I have written three CDBG applications this year and two of them were accepted. That work will start in September. I am also researching other grants coming out of the Recovery act. One about to hit the streets is for fire station modifications and new construction. I have begun to contact our local government clients to see if they would like to pursue funding.
We are also seeing incredible pricing for construction projects and have been pushing clients to take advantage of this "Buyer's" market.
Things are slow compared to the norm, but I am busy enough.
One thing I am doing is expanding into small state funded projects. I am beginning the paperwork to become "pre-qualified" and I have convinced the large MPE that works on my projects to assist me when I have questions. |
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phansford
Joined: 18 Apr 2004
Posts: 829
Location: SW Ohio
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| Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 5:22 am Post subject: |
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I am entering a few competitions also -
I will be teaming with a former assistant - now practicing in NYC (He's the under 10 yrs since graduation part of the team)
For anyone who is interested.....
AIA Ohio/Habitat Affordable Green Home Design Competition |
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Rod Terry
Joined: 19 Apr 2004
Posts: 59
Location: Corvallis, Oregon
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| Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 10:16 am Post subject: |
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I'm also a one man firm.
I started in the dismal end of the 70's. No one was hiring. Nothing much was being built. Interest rates were double digit.
As a result, I started on my own, beating the bushes for my first jobs. It took many years to get established. Fortunately our expenses were nil, I worked out of a closet in the apartment we lived in.
30 years later, most of my work is residential with most of that additions and remodels. Over the years I've worked on an amazing number of projects. When times get tight, folks decide to add on or go up instead of building new.
My work has been steady so far. Down some from the last couple of years when I was getting up at 4 AM to keep up. Coming from the midwest, it has always been "make hay while the sun shines" and I've worked longer hours instead of turning down to many jobs.
I've never made the big dollars that can come with larger projects but I've continued to make a little more each year.
I've always thought it would be nice to mentor young designers, to have a firm where others can get started. I'm glad now that I don't have to face laying off folks that are depending on me for their lively hood.
When things turn around again (and they will), I hope there will be some sense in the developments and projects. The good from this recession is that it has stopped some of the rabid sprawl and cannibalism of land & resources.
Perhaps with the Green & Sustainable awareness, the next round of growth will be better than the 90's. But, I thought that in the 70's also.
Good fortune to all who are starting up. It is a wonderful profession.
_________________
Sustainable, Solar Ultra-Cool Homes. . Why not? |
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phansford
Joined: 18 Apr 2004
Posts: 829
Location: SW Ohio
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| Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 11:37 am Post subject: |
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Slightly OT - Architecture Fantasy Camp
Maybe we can all sign up as councilors.  If its like my internship - We can verbally berate people, demand unpaid overtime,....... nothing like spending time in the dead files looking for an obscure sketch from 1963 the firm owner wants to frame, threaten to replace people from anyone off the street - then give them a raise 15 minutes later (that actually happened to me )
Of course - in Wright's case - it would involve working his farm, doing his laundry, watching his kid, working in the studio 1/2 days, and pay him for the privilege |
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fred johnson
Joined: 04 May 2004
Posts: 84
Location: CT
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| Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 2:47 pm Post subject: |
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| Things are very slow here with the architects I consult with - have not had a spec writing job since last summer. My residential work has been pretty steady; just finished one new one and one major addition and will start work on another new one on monday. I work with a couple of small contractors who somehow are keeping busy with fairly decent resid. stuff. I have seen a lot of activity lately in public housing with most agencies her in CT getting stimulus money and really putting out the RFP & Q's. Not easy to crack that market if you have'nt been doing it for awhile, luckily I have. All you guys having a bit of a hard time now I wish you all well, things may be turning around soon with additions and renovation stuff leading the way. If you do state of federal work, get that 330 form up to date in a hurry. |
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Matt
Joined: 13 Apr 2004
Posts: 520
Location: Sterling, Virginia
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| Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 3:36 pm Post subject: |
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| All the stimulus projects I have heard of are make-work... it's like trying to stimulate your appetite with powdered sugar. |
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Davydd
Joined: 15 Apr 2004
Posts: 35
Location: Tonka Bay, MN
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| Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 7:06 am Post subject: |
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Happily retired 741 days now (I never turned off my retirement countdown widget). Dodged the baby boomer bullet effect once again being slightly ahead of the curve. 
I know several architects in their 50s now out of work and they aren't finding new jobs.
Meanwhile I travel in my camper van and pursue hobbies. We have been on the road off and on for nearly 7 weeks and 7,000 miles since April.
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Davydd
An Anglicized spelling of the Welsh Dafydd or simply David.
http://www.tonkawoods.com
http://www.porktenderloinsandwich.com |
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Rob C
Joined: 14 Apr 2004
Posts: 572
Location: Southern Connecticut
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| Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 8:52 pm Post subject: |
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Hi David
Lucky you. I was day dreaming about retirement today, but at 53, I don't know...
Glad you're doing well.
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Rob
www.robertcoolidge.com |
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