What a difference a year makes! Last year’s survey of the world’s top 100 architectural practices revealed almost unprecedented levels of optimism about the health of the global construction economy over the next 12 months. This was in stark contrast to the downbeat, pandemic-driven results of the 2021 survey – and with the benefit of hindsight, appears to have been the result of pent-up demand blossoming after a year of lockdowns. The 2023 survey reflects a more sombre world of conflict, inflation and deglobalisation. Compared with the three-quarters of firms that thought there would be growth in 2022, only half feel as confident about the coming year.

Despite a drop in confidence about growth, the big firms keep getting bigger. Gensler, which retains top spot for the eighth year running, busts through the 3,000-architect barrier for the first time. The US behemoth added 377 architects to its payroll this year, taking the total up to 3,069. The other top 10 firms also grew their numbers, with the survey indicating this is a trend likely to continue in 2023.

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