The AIA 2003 Firm Survey is now available. Released every three years, the study documents trends and offers benchmarking comparisons between firms. A few of the highlights:

In comparison with 1999:
u Women and minorities, while still underrepresented, have made large strides. Almost 11.5% of registered architects are now minorities and 20% are women, representing increases of 5.6% and 6.2% respectively.

u While the economy grew an average of four percent per year, contracts declined by an average of three percent per year, and billings at architecture firms increased by just two percent. Profits averaged 10.5 percent of net billings across all firms.

u Firms are adding other design professionals such as interior designers and landscape architects into their practices in order to provide more complete services. Basic design services remain the most profitable segment - generating half of the billings.

u The number of firms declined by 8%.

u Non-residential buildings remain the largest proportion of business for most firms, with Governments providing 31% of billings, the educational market almost 25%, and private business almost 25%.

To purchase a copy of the 96 page survey results, www.aia.org.

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