Architectural services

Architectural services firms posted $1.9 billion in operating revenues in 2003, up 2.7% from a year earlier but a sharp slowdown in growth compared with 18.5% gain in 2002, pointing to the easing of the rate of expansion in building projects.

The bulk of revenues came from clients in the business sector (45%) and clients in government and public institutions (43%). An additional 9% of the revenues came from individuals and households and only 3% came from foreign clients. The United States remained the single largest foreign market, absorbing nearly two-thirds of industry exports.

Architectural services accounted for 91% of the total operating revenues with the remainder mostly generated in related fields such as interior design and drafting services.

Industry revenues contracted in Alberta (-7%) and Ontario (-1%). Revenues increased in Quebec (+13%) and British Columbia (+11%). Firms in Ontario accounted for 48% of total revenues, followed by Quebec at 17%, British Columbia at 16%, and Alberta at 11%.

The industry's operating profit margin improved to 16% from 15% in 2002.

Of close to 14,300 employees, nearly half were architects and one-third were technicians and technologists. The work force composition was little changed from 2002 with 84% of employees in the professional category.

There were 4,700 architectural establishments in 2003 and most were small local firms with fewer than 10 employees. Market share of the largest 20 firms dropped to 15% in 2003 from 16% a year earlier.

Available on CANSIM: table 360-0004.

Definitions, data sources and methods: survey number 2420.

Results from the 2003 Annual Survey of Architectural Services are now available.

For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Kyoomars Haghandish (613-951-6304; fax: 613-951-6696; kyoomars.haghandish@statcan.gc.ca), or Denyse Brazeau (613-951-5634; fax: 613-951-6696; denyse.brazeau@statcan.gc.ca), Service Industries Division.