Despite nearly half of architects expecting the amount of work to decrease further, a small majority forecast work levels will increase or remain the same during 2012.
The survey carried out by the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI) found 15% of firms expect to see an increase and 38% expect activity to remain the same as last year.
However of the 242 practices that participated in the online survey, 47% expect to experience a further decrease in work over the coming year. The biggest fall remains in the broader housing sector with an expected 44% decrease in services.
According to the Irish Examiner, the RIAI said this figure may decrease slightly when firms begin to experience the impact of the Department of Education’s plan, to build and open dozens of new schools in urban areas by 2017.
Nearly 58% of practices said they have expanded their services as a direct response to the downturn, with many citing an increase in people seeking services on green issues. The survey found that architectural practices have re-focussed on sustainability and conservation with nearly half of practices saying they expect 2012 to see an increase in work activities in these areas.
