Faced with stiff competition from non-architect qualified players such as contractors, engineers, plan drawers, artists and even fashion houses, architects in Negros Oriental are encouraged to look beyond designing buildings in order to survive.
Ned Carlos, president of the United Architects of the Philippines Dumaguete Chapter, advised his members to “brace themselves” to weather the competition.
“The profession without delay needs to modernize and firm up if we have any chance of surviving the next 10 years,” Carlos said.
His statement reflected the sentiments of the UAP’s board of directors and officers, who met recently to discuss ways of strengthening the architectural practice in Negros Oriental.
Architects, he said, need to be able to out-price the competition if they are to be of use to a client.
The UAP’s thrusts for the next 11 months, he said, will focus on marketing, sustainability, innovation, education, creativity, management, and process-driven consultancy.
“In order to endure, the Architect must design beyond buildings and in turn should be supported by regulatory and association bodies,” Carlos said.