Post Recession, Architects Return To The Drawing Board

While some jobs are coming back in this economy, the market for many architects remains tough. There were nearly 220,000 people working in the field in 2008. Today, more than 25 percent of those jobs are gone.

Copyright 2013 NPR. For personal, noncommercial use only. See Terms of Use. For other uses, prior permission required.

LINDA WERTHEIMER, HOST:

The latest government jobs report shows slow and steady gains in job creation. But for many architects, things remain tough. Five years ago, there were nearly 220,000 people working in the field, but today, a quarter of those positions are gone.

NPR's Wendy Kaufman has more.

WENDY KAUFMAN, BYLINE: We first met veteran architect Gary Barber back in 2010; he'd been laid off by a major architectural firm two years earlier two years earlier, and was looking for a full time job. He's still looking.

(SOUNDBITE OF MACHINERY)

KAUFMAN: He's managed to find some small projects that keep him somewhat busy - projects like this soon to be opened Mexican restaurant.

GARY BARBER: There's going to be a walk-in cooler in the corner. This is their dish wash and scullery area. And we're going to - a tortilla machine over there that's going to sit right in the middle, and...

(SOUNDBITE OF PAPERS RUSTLING)

More:
Post Recession, Architects Return To The Drawing Board