The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has released its recent survey to show the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on the profession and its business. 

A survey, conducted by 1001 architects and 83% of RIBA members, revealed that 45% of architects have lost their personal income and a third of respondents reported a drop in household income. In addition, almost a quarter is struggling with mental health.

RIBA's survey reveals some serious findings to show how the profession is being affected during the pandemic. The report, specifically, highlights that "the business of architecture is under stress".

There is a 58% drop in new business inquiries

According to the RIBA's report, 59% of respondents reported a decreased workload, and most importantly, 58% reported a decrease in new business enquires. This has also caused a reduction in cash flow, with 57% of respondents already experiencing less money coming through.

As architects started to work from their home, there is a radical shift in normal working patterns, according to the report. It revealed that 81% of respondents are working entirely at home and around 70% of students reported that their campus had closed.

There is a significant project disruption in regular flow

The report showed that 79% of surveyed architects saw project delays and 61% of those reported site closures in the construction sites, and over a 37% of architects reported projects being cancelled. Only 5% of respondents reported no disruption.

Architects are under personal stress

RIBA's report also showed that almost a third reported they had self-isolated with nearly a quarter (23%) reporting deterioration in mental health and 21% commenting they ‘felt isolated’.

"The findings of this survey show how that Covid-19 is having a severe impact on architects, professionally and personally. For many architects, their work is more than a way to earn a living, and to see decades of hard work threatened by circumstances none of us can have foreseen is a disaster," said RIBA CEO, Alan Vallance. 

"The RIBA remains committed to responding to the needs of its members, and will carry on providing the information, guidance and support they need so that architects can weather this storm."

"We will continue to lobby the Government to protect the income of all affected architects, expand support schemes to cover directors’ dividends and shift economic policies to provide businesses with the security they need."

"During this extremely unsettling time, I call on employers to prioritise the welfare and wellbeing of their staff. This means enabling them to work from home flexibly where possible, and taking advantage of the Government’s Job Retention Scheme. The RIBA is currently asking the Government to give grants or expand capital allowances so that companies can purchase or rent computer equipment to make it easier for employees to work productively and collaboratively at home," added Vallance. 

"Above all else, we must all prioritise our own physical and mental health, and seek support if needed."

The RIBA stated that it will continue to guide and support the profession as it navigates through the coming weeks and months.

Top image: Flickr/Nenad Stojkovic, CC BY

> via RIBA