Insights · Field notes since 2011

Hiring intelligence from the people who do it.

The big firms publish salary guides to look like thought leaders. We've actually been writing the architecture-hiring story — as it happened — for over four decades.

01

Latest

Salary Guide · Jun 2026

The Median Is Not Your Ceiling: How to Read NYC’s Design Salaries

Most salary guides hand you a median and let you anchor to it — the single most expensive thing you can do with one. How to read ours, and how to break past the curve.

Read →
Biophilic Design · Aug 2023

Biophilic Design: Enhancing Architecture Through Nature-Inspired Elements

Once a wellness buzzword, biophilic design is now a baseline expectation on serious projects — and a quiet differentiator in the work firms win and the talent they hire.

Read →
Architecture Design · Feb 2026

Whites & Greys: Architecture’s Lost Debate That Still Shapes Practice

Reflections on a Discipline in Transition In the 1970s, while studying architecture at Pratt Institute, I regularly…

Read →
Professional Degree · Dec 2025

Why Architecture Must Remain a Professional Degree

What the DOE’s Reclassification Means for the Industry The U.S. Department of Education’s decision to weaken the status…

Read →
Architecture Technology & Staffing · Oct 2025

Best Construction Software for Architects

Choosing the best construction software for architects is critical for architecture firms in NYC . The AEC industry is…

Read →
Architectural Design · May 2025

A Recalibrated Crown for Lower Manhattan: 2 World Trade Center by Foster + Partners

Foster + Partners’ latest redesign of 2 World Trade Center signals a measured, almost introspective addition to the Manhattan skyline — the final tower to complete the WTC master plan.

Read →
Artificial Intelligence in Architecture · Jan 2025

Top Architecture Firms Leading the Future of AI Innovation in Design

As artificial intelligence in architecture continues to make waves in the design and construction industries,…

Read →
3D Printed & Prefab Buildings · Jun 2024

The Impact of 3D-Printed Prefabricated Buildings on Housing, Architecture, and Construction

3D-printed prefabricated buildings are reshaping housing, architecture, and construction — faster builds, lower costs, and bold new design freedom. Here’s what’s changing.

Read →
Design Technology · Jun 2024

The Critical Role of IT and Cybersecurity in Architectural Firms

Innovation and precision drive architecture — but so does data. Why secure digital infrastructure and cybersecurity have become non-negotiable for architectural firms in 2025.

Read →
architecture jobs · May 2024

Navigating the Future of Architectural Hiring: Trends and Job Opportunities in the Educational Sector

Architectural hiring and related architecture jobs are in demand due to the rise of educational construction projects.…

Read →
Women's History Month · Mar 2024

In honor of Women's History Month

In honor of Women's History Month, we want to salute Career Point Staffing's Founder and CEO, Robin McFadden. Opening…

Read →
Architecture Practice · Mar 2024

Navigating Office Perks: Insights for Small Architecture and Design Firms in NYC

A New York Post piece on landlords luring workers back with lavish perks raises a real question for small NYC architecture and design firms: which benefits actually matter?

Read →
Architecture: Sustainability Revisited · Sep 2023

From Past to Present: Transforming Fallingwater with Sustainable Innovations

This article marks the second in my series that explores renowned historical buildings, speculating on integrating…

Read →
Architecture: Sustainability Revisited · Sep 2023

Reimagining Legacy: Philip Johnson’s Glass House Achieves LEED Platinum Excellence

Philip Johnson’s 1949 Glass House — a minimalist icon — earns LEED Platinum, proving even a landmark of mid-century modernism can be reimagined for a sustainable future.

Read →
Architecture Criticism · Sep 2023

Critiquing The Line: Unraveling the Mathematical Debate Behind Saudi Arabia’s Unique Megaproject

A Popular Mechanics critique argues the math behind Saudi Arabia’s 170-km linear city doesn’t add up. We unravel the debate behind the world’s most audacious megaproject.

Read →
aia · Aug 2023

AIA: State and Local Policy Agenda

Architects must have a seat at the table when important civic decisions are made and must play a vital role in crafting…

Read →
02

From the archive

Architecture Careers · Apr 2023

Growth Opportunities in Architecture

Architecture offers promising growth opportunities for those who continuously learn and develop their skills. There are…

Read →
Women in Architecture · Mar 2023

Women's History Month - Architects

Since 1995, presidents have issued a series of annual proclamations designating the month of March as "Women's History…

Read →
Architecture Entrepreneurship · Mar 2023

Business and Entrepreneurship in Architecture

Architects are known for their creative and artistic abilities in designing beautiful and functional buildings, but…

Read →
Architects Salary · Mar 2023

8 Factors that Affect an Architect's Salary

Overall, an architect's salary level has various factors playing a role, and architects must consider these factors…

Read →
Architect Salary · Feb 2023

My professors said I wouldn't make money

The salary of an architect can vary widely depending on several factors, such as their experience, location, and the…

Read →
LEED Certification · Jan 2023

LEED Certification 101

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a widely recognized and respected certification for…

Read →
architecture jobs · Dec 2022

How to Send My Resume to the Top of the Pile

Top 5 tips for preparing keywords. It is difficult to determine precisely how many hiring firms use AI keyword searches…

Read →
Architecture Practice · Dec 2022

Architecture Firm Owners and Employees Continue to Weigh Trade Unions

In recent years, employees of architecture firms have increasingly attempted to join unions. This trend is driven…

Read →
Architecture Practice · Nov 2022

3D Printing and Architecture Design

3D printing is revolutionizing the field of architecture, and it is poised to change the way we build our cities and…

Read →
Op-Ed · Nov 2022

Wanted: World-destroying Architects

What started as a comment has become a short post in response to an opinion article by Adam Greenfield in the current…

Read →
The Gig Economy · Nov 2022

End of the Road For the Gig Economy?

As the gig economy continues to grow, so do the number of questions about how the law will be regulated. President…

Read →
Hiring trends · Oct 2022

Increase Your Bottom Line and Keep Your Employees Happy

Flex-core staffing is an excellent way for architecture firms to break the hiring-firing cycle, increase their firm's…

Read →
Project Based Work · Oct 2022

Benefits of Working on a Project Basis

There are always peaks and valleys in the work of an architectural firm. Sometimes we work on multiple projects at…

Read →
Architecture Hiring · Oct 2022

The Hiring War To Find And Retain Architecture And Design Talent

There is no doubt that the architecture and design industry is booming. With new buildings and other…

Read →
The Job Hunt · Oct 2022

The (Post-Pandemic) Job Hunt

The post-pandemic job hunt is in full swing, and for architects and interior designers, the demand is…

Read →
COVID-19 Update · Apr 2020

Collecting unemployment in New York for the Self-Employed

Self-employed workers and independent contractors now qualify for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program. On…

Read →
COVID-19 Update · Mar 2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Support: Architects, Employees, and Self-employed

STATE AND FEDERAL AID PROGRAMS . Following Governor Andrew Cuomo's Executive Order that we must work from home and its…

Read →
Insights · Jan 2020

Navigating the future of architectural hiring: trends and job opportunities in the educational sector

Architectural hiring is surging with the rise of educational construction projects. How firms should adapt their hiring…

Read →
Architecture Careers · Jul 2018

The 3 Best Cities for Architecture Careers

Successful architecture careers don’t happen by accident. Just like well-designed buildings, they’re the result of…

Read →
Architecture Careers · Jun 2018

The 4 Best Architecture Related Careers for New Graduates

Congratulations on your recent graduation. It probably feels pretty amazing to have that degree. Of course, the longer…

Read →
Hiring Millennials · Apr 2016

Hiring millennial architects & designers & what is important to them

Hiring Millennials Baby boomers are retiring in record numbers, and their millennial replacements are very different in…

Read →
Architecture Hiring · Apr 2016

How to transform independent contractors into employees

First, make an architecture or interior-design independent contractor into an employee by formalizing the person’s work…

Read →
Hiring Millennials · Jan 2016

Millennials in the architecture workplace

Hiring Millennials Consulting For Architects, Inc. is gathering editorial information from our architecture and design…

Read →
Featured Jobs · Aug 2014

Architecture Salaries Increase

Architecture salaries increase and the job market is on fire. Review our current job listings Project Architect |…

Read →
Hiring trends · Feb 2014

Reasons to Be Self-Employed

Reasons to be self-employed add up to 55! Taken by a poll of its readers, this list of reasons to be self-employed is…

Read →
Employment Advice · Nov 2013

Meet the robots reading your resume

And how to please them. When I saw this article I was excited to share it with the architects and designers that apply…

Read →
Architecture Practice · Oct 2013

AIA Comp Survey: Minimal Salary Increase

Lingering impact from the Great Recession slows gains in salaries Over the last several years, most architecture firms…

Read →
architect · Apr 2013

A fictional tale about an architect and his career

The end came for William some 1,800 miles and 26 years from where it…

Read →
architects · Feb 2013

Freelance architecture and design consultants the wave of the future?

In the “old days,” a firm might turn down a project because it didn’t have the necessary staff to handle it properly.…

Read →
architect · Oct 2009

Where Does the Freelancers Union Stand on Healthcare Reform?

Freelancers Union strongly supports the national effort to increase quality, affordable coverage for our members and…

Read →
Freelancer tips · May 2009

Can a freelancer perform like a company?

From Freelancer Blog - Yes, and many times, better. There are many benefits to hiring freelancers to do work you would…

Read →
CFA Freelancer Community · May 2009

Join the CFA Freelance Community Group on LinkedIn!

For LinkedIn members we have created the LinkedIn Group "CFA Freelancer Community" and we invite you to join. If you…

Read →

Talk to someone who's seen every cycle.

Off-site

David McFadden also publishes on Archinect  — the architecture community’s editorial platform. Read the CFA blog on Archinect →