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Fast Company
10 hours ago
- Business
- Fast Company
Why are architects so underpaid? Here are 4 reasons, plus one way to fix it
Architects have long complained about the industry's relatively paltry pay. Given the amount of expensive education architects require (master's level), and the years they have to put in (many) before qualifying to take a licensure exam (arduous), they have been rightly upset: Architects can barely expect to crack the $100,000 salary mark after more than eight years in the profession. Now there are some numbers to back that up. Compared to every other design descipline Fast Company has studied in our our ongoing analysis of where the design jobs are, architects are underpaid, particularly as their careers progress. Their compensation increases at the slowest rate, based on years of experience. Fixing the problem requires a nuanced understanding of the outside factors that limit pay, according to Evelyn Lee, president of the American Institute of Architects. 'Architecture is an industry that's always been known to work within tight margins,' she says. Part of the reason is that the industry long ago set standardized fee structures—basically a percentage of overall construction costs—and those numbers haven't changed much. 'Our ability to get paid more is tied back to that,' Lee says. Architecture is also tied to economic cycles, and it can be a bellwether of recessions. 'When things are good, and people are spending a lot of money on capital costs, we are doing well. But we're usually the first service to get cut when people start to hold back, and we're the last to come on board when the economy starts coming back,' Lee says. And because they're never quite sure when the next project will come around, many architecture firms end up being conservative with their spending and salaries. Subscribe to the Design latest innovations in design brought to you every weekday SIGN UP Privacy Policy | Fast Company Newsletters advertisement The final deadline for Fast Company's Next Big Things in Tech Awards is Friday, June 20, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply today.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
LPA Awarded AIA's Highest Honor for Architecture Firm
Integrated design firm earns 2025 AIA Architecture Firm Award for developing a 'no excuses' culture that has set new standards for high performance designBOSTON, June 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The American Institute of Architects (AIA) presented LPA Design Studios with the 2025 AIA Architecture Firm Award, 'the highest honor the AIA bestows on an architecture practice,' in a ceremony June 5 during the AIA25 Conference in the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. LPA was honored as a 'a trailblazer in sustainable, high-performance architecture, blending a mission-driven ethos with innovative, interdisciplinary design practices.' Over the last five years, the integrated design firm reduced predicted energy use in its education, civic, healthcare and commercial projects by an average of 75%, and helped lead nationwide efforts to develop more efficient facilities that measure performance around energy, wellness, community and experience. 'LPA Design Studios has evolved into an inspiring force of innovation and collaboration. From architects and engineers to landscape architects and designers … they are united in the shared responsibility of addressing climate change and fostering equitable and thriving communities,' said AIA 2025 President Evelyn Lee, FAIA, NOMA at the ceremony. The Firm Award recognizes one firm a year that has consistently produced distinguished architecture, while addressing 'the future of architecture…[and] honoring its tradition.' Founded in Orange, California, 60 years ago, LPA has grown into a firm of 500 architects, engineers, designers and researchers with 10 practices working out of studios in California and Texas. Over the years, the firm has built a culture around collaboration, inclusion and a research-driven design process. 'Our story demonstrates what a firm of any size can accomplish when we stop making excuses and focus on performance to deliver design excellence – on every project, for every budget, at every scale,' LPA CEO Wendy Rogers said in her acceptance speech. 'What we learned is that our culture makes these results possible, our collective commitment day in and day out.' LPA's innovative approach breaks down barriers between disciplines, bringing everyone to the table to problem-solve around each project's unique challenges. A shared sense of responsibility and a commitment to meet clients' vision are essential if the industry is going to make significant progress to combat climate change, Rogers told the conference. 'Eliminating carbon from projects must unite us and align our disciplines in a common cause,' Rogers said at the conference. 'The task is too big to tackle alone. It requires partnerships, innovation, and a shared belief that our work is always better when everyone sits at the table as equals.' Media Contact LPA Design Studios Daniel Scheuerman, Media Senior Specialist dscheuerman@ (949) 701-4180 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
