Architects in California say factors such as building information modeling, green building and industry consolidation are changing the way they do business.
For instance, Irvine-based Ware Malcomb has placed a big emphasis on having its project management teams become LEED-accredited, says CEO Larry Armstrong. At the same time, Ware Malcomb is preparing its staff to do BIM projects later this year, he adds.
“(BIM) is a freight train and it’s coming,” Armstrong says.
Peter Devereaux, president of Los Angeles-based Harley Ellis Devereaux, calls BIM “the wave of the future and it will transform our industry.”
BIM also means that design firms will be looking for more experienced, licensed architects and that will mean less opportunities for the drafters and novice architects, Darden adds.
“Everywhere you will see people trying to hire licensed experienced architects,” Darden says. “With BIM, there is no room at the bottom.”
Finding experienced and qualified architects is a concern for Kit Ratcliff, president of Emeryville-based Ratcliff.
There has been a 50% falloff in the last 10 years in U.S. licensed architects, Ratcliff says. “We are running out of architects,” he adds.
Source: http://california.construction.com/features/archive/0710_Cover.asp
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