2023 Architecture Industry Demographics Survey

The survey was designed to help AFBC drive meaningful change and advocacy. It launched June 13th 2023, and was administered by Stratcom, an independent, third party consultant. We had almost 500 respondents!

Our Plan:

Initiated by the AFBC IDEA committee (Inclusion, Diversity and Equity in Architecture), the survey was a voluntary and confidential tool designed to guide the future advocacy work of the AFBC. We welcome your feedback on the results.

  • Collaboration.

    Building community support for the survey, the IDEA committee is engaging with key partners in the BC architecture community, including the AIBC EDI Committee, Women in Architecture (WIA), the UBC SALA EDI Committee and the BCIT school of construction and the environment; encouraging each group to share their experiences and enabling the IDEA committee to gather feedback and input on the survey approach, target audience and questions.

  • Collection.

    Widely available in a digital format, the survey is developed by Stratcom, an independent, third party consultant, utilizing industry best practices. Launching in June 2023 and open until September 2023, the survey will collect data from the Architecture industry in BC. Our audience is inclusive of all members of the BC architecture industry, including folks registered with the AIBC as well as individuals working at architecture and building design firms in a variety of roles, who may not be registered with the AIBC.

  • Distribution.

    Intended to help the foundation drive meaningful change and advocacy in the BC architecture industry, the survey will support identification and planning of future advocacy efforts for the AFBC as well as other interested groups.

    Anonymous survey results collected will be publicly available and shared widely within the architecture industry to spark conversation, celebrate our strengths, and find opportunities in our weaknesses.

Audience

The intended audience of this industry demographics survey extends to all people working in the architectural field, including

  • folks registered with the AIBC

  • individuals working for architecture firms who may not be registered with the AIBC

  • interior designers

  • administrative support staff

  • marketing teams. The survey also extends to building designers and individuals working at building design firms who are not required to be registered with the AIBC. Registered architects working in government or institutional roles are also encouraged to participate. 

Goals of this Industry Demographics Survey

This important initiative is one step in the evolution of the architecture industry in BC. Administered by Stratcom, an independent, third party consultant, the survey intends to highlight aspects of the industry relative to demographics across 3 broad categories: financial compensation, barriers & opportunities as well as satisfaction & effectiveness.

Financial Compensation

  • Financial compensation & benefits packages relative to demographics and level of experience

  • Profit sharing relative to demographics

  • Firm ownership relative to demographics

  • Employer type relative to demographics

  • Working hours, flexibility around parenting and work life balance relative to demographics

  • Children relative to financial compensation

  • Education type relative to financial compensation

Barriers & Opportunities

  • Location relative to demographics

  • Job title relative to demographics

  • Difficulties, barriers or challenges associated with entering the industry and/or becoming a registered architect

  • Discrimination relative to demographics

  • Voluntary attrition relative to demographics

  • Career goals relative to demographics

 

Satisfaction & Effectiveness

  • Career satisfaction relative to demographics

  • Psychological safety in the workplace relative to demographics

  • Supports for people with disabilities 

  • Supports for maternity leave