Although newly minted Dutch architects are well equipped to produce designs, the changing market is demanding very different competencies from them as well, for example in the field of marketing and presentation. The study entitled ‘FuturA’ (Future Value Chains of Architectural Services) examines new models of earning and organisation for the architectural industry. This four-year leading-sector project of TU Delft, Radboud University Nijmegen and BNA is also expected to provide a new educational module for future architects.
Since the outbreak of the economic crisis, architectural firms have seen their turnover dwindle by half. To a large extent, this is simply due to absence of demand for new buildings. According to the Lina Volker, the project leader for FuturA, however, architects have also failed to adapt sufficiently to their changing roles. “Architects are creative, and they are capable of translating concepts into practice. Those who are willing to work smarter and deliver higher quality will thus be able to make a valuable contribution within the changing world of construction.”
Previous studies have shown that architects are increasingly embarking on new roles, for example as system integrators, product developers, facilitators and network coordinators. FuturA will be mapping the future playing field for architects, in order to help them find their place in their new relationship with clients, contractors and end users.
Changing models of earning and organisation are requiring different competencies of architects. For example, anyone wishing to work as a product developer should also be able to conduct market research. Likewise, anyone aiming for a role as a leading architect should also be capable of serving international markets.
Graduates starting to work in an architectural firm with one or more partners should also be able to do more than simply design. They must possess such basic knowledge as the ability to write a business plan.
The FuturA project contains two parallel PhD programmes at TU Delft (Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment) and Radboud University Nijmegen (Faculty of Business Administration). In addition to the two universities, BNA, De Zwarte Hond, EGM Architects, IAA Architects, JHK Architects, Rothuizen Architects, Ballast Nedam, Havensteder and the Government Buildings Agency of the Netherlands Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment are involved. A portion of the research and the testing of research results will be conducted in a Living Lab. Within the framework of the leading-sector policy for the creative industries, the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) has awarded a grant of € 445 000. Together, the consortium partners are bringing in an additional € 220 000. In addition to a teaching module for prospective students, FuturA will be generating new instructional materials to promote the professionalisation of existing architectural firms.