[Jill Bellenger, ASLA | LEED GA]

Hopefully I can help you get a decent picture of what’s going on in the Baltimore/DC area for LA’s and architects. I used to work at an architecture firm for a number of years and probably have stronger ties to that portion, but anyway here goes:

*** Of the LAs you know, how many lost their jobs after the economy went bad?
I lost my job in Oct ’08, so that’s one. Of the handful of people I keep in touch with from undergrad, I’d say over 60% lost their jobs in the past couple years. Same went for those I’d met/worked with in the profession, about 60% or higher. Architects were even higher.

***How many of those who are practicing today are underemployed? Moderately or severely underemployed?
Between architects and landscape architects, again it’s maybe 50-60% that over the past couple years have become unemployed/underemployed or have been collecting unemployment while starting their own consulting firm.

***As for firms, what have you seen happen to them in the downturn?
In December of last year we visited Dallas and Austin, and discovered that there were very few ‘big-time’ firms that took over most the projects; it was more like a ton of small firms that were only 2-3 or sometimes only 1 person. Turns out that was the way of the future I suppose and it’s beginning to take hold on the East Coast more as well. It’s easier to absorb cost when you’re working from home or a small partnership that doesn’t have all the overhead costs of a huge firm. It’s like comparing how firms like AECOM blow through a design fee as opposed to a 2-person partnership. Money goes a long way when you’re small.

***Do you know of any that have closed their doors entirely?
Yes, quite a few. Some have partnered with other larger firms to avoid biting the dust, while others just threw their hands up. I was formerly with a firm that had over 150 people at it’s highest point in 2007. By Oct 2009 they were closed. Another local architecture/landscape arch firm had two offices and downgraded to one, while yet another in downtown Baltimore shut down without even telling it’s staff. No joke. People just came to work one day and the doors were locked.

It’s really a shame things are the way they are. Are you considering another alternative or just trying to be uber-prepared? Not that there’s anything wrong with either one!

[Jill Bellenger, ASLA | LEED GA]

Yeah ESF! Anyway… on the note of working for a firm that collaborates with scientists and biologists, there is a firm that comes to mind in Baltimore called Biohabitats (http://www.biohabitats.com) where they have a great mix of all those professions. They’re very passionate and have a great portfolio of ec-sensitive projects. And it’s reflected in their office space as well, nice atmosphere in an old restored building with a Green Wall cleaning the air from the HVAC. You could always chat with them.

I would suggest thinking of what really makes you tick and what you think you’ll get out of a MLA program. If you’re not 100%, there are other master’s programs that would still allow you to be creative. I have a BLA and am looking at going back to school to get an MBA, partially because I don’t want to limit myself to being stricktly in the LA field. But also I’ve found a great program that focuses on sustainable business practices and it would really help me in the way my partner and I run our firm.

Let us know what you decide!

[Jill Bellenger, ASLA | LEED GA]

This is a great discussion, I look forward to hearing the conclusions of all your responders. I didn’t reply originally because my answer is both Yes and No.

I was laid off from my old firm in Oct 2008, my husband shortly thereafter. We’d talked about starting up our own firm and decided this was the perfect time to do it. So a year ago, we started our own LEED consulting firm. But because there is so much competition now, we have been struggling to land clients. Luckily, we’re both on unemployment still and it’s helping us get by. Long story short, 2009 was a very rough year but we are optimistic. We know too many people (mostly architects) out of work that were laid off even more than once in the past year or so.

The decision to start a firm that utilized our combined skills just made sense. I may not be designing anymore but I’ve never wanted to only design; my interests are more in educating and advocating for green design. This recession has really helped me to evolve my career into something I’m really passionate about, so I would advise others to try looking at it that way instead of my original attitude of ‘man, this sucks’.

[Jill Bellenger, ASLA | LEED GA]

Great discussion!

I’ve been to Stapleton, got family that lives there very happily, and agree with what some of you are saying about these neighborhoods being great in some ways but being their own arch-nemesis’ as well. We just happened to be there for one of the farmer’s markets, and had brunch at Udi’s, had a lovely time. But in order to get from my brother-in-law’s house on one end of the neighborhood, we had to drive to get to all these places.

And if you’re working in downtown Denver, it’s not exactly a car-free ride in either. Disjointed? Absolutely.

I did however appreciate the easy, breezy landscaping with lots of native (I hope) grasses and not closing off your homes to neighbors, that type of thing. It felt quite safe and family-friendly.

Personally, as I’ve been doing a lof articles about the new LEED for Neighborhood Development projects as well as researching NU, I very much appreciate the projects that focus on integrating themselves in an already dense part of town and not middle-of-nowhere suburbs that totally defeat the purpose.

An alternative to Stapleton in the Denver area that is in the LEED-ND pilot program and a much better example of integrated neighborhoods (bonus: includes affordable housing) is here: http://benedictparkplace.com/. Very cool.

[Jill Bellenger, ASLA | LEED GA]

I’m surprised he’s still offering this class… I emailed him when I was with my old firm to see if he’d be interested in offering a course in the MD/DC area that I’d gladly hook up with the local ASLA to coordinate, and he (or his secretary, whoever), got back to me A YEAR LATER.

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