McKerns Development Press and PR

New Economic Realities in the Architectural Landscape

Architects are facing new economic realities, and this has changed the landscape of how architectural firms obtain new business and loyal clients. Many architects have never actually had a marketing program beyond responding to bid packages or responding to a steady flow of client requests. Now, entire market sectors are unfunded and overbuilt.

Relying on a printed brochure, static website with photographs of past projects and bios (performing the job of an online brochure) is no longer bringing projects to the door or leads to the pipeline. What to do?

McKerns Development is a specialist at assisting architectural clients to identify a niche for new projects and in bringing outstanding talent and expertise to new markets.  McKerns Development will position the firm as a thought leader, and leadership is the new currency.

Architects responding to social challenges bring new relevance to their work. What are some of these social challenges? Basically, people are doing things differently; catastrophe in housing and work has caused a social shift. Offices and commercial spaces are emptying; generations are moving in together; homes and lifestyles are downsizing.

There is a need for thought leadership in architecture – what is to be the new direction in architecture to respond to these behavioral shifts?  

Rapid response for re-building after disaster; affordable building systems for construction in the Caribbean or more remote areas; Small house designs and functions for living; offices for the digital age, replacing the large communal commercial office with collaborative and multi-functional use; adaptive reuse for unoccupied or underutilized space; energy efficient designs for new and retrofit projects; Green homes with multi generational capabilities, edible landscapes and captured water and energy;  Green commercial spaces with multi-functional spaces; hospitality projects that capture the need to work and stay in communication; and an array of healthcare projects focused on prevention as well as treatment for our aging and needy population.

These are just some of the considerations; your own experiences and expertise will lead to more.

Opportunities exist to bring architectural talent to the forefront, through online global reach. Strategic Public Relations can be effective and cost effective. Built and un-built work can be released through embedded videos in websites, specialized mini-sites and YouTube, and promoted through social channels including LinkedIn and Twitter. Print can be leveraged through article writing and great editorial content. Speaking engagements can be secured and promoted before and after, with optimized press releases with links to websites and video.

Collaborations can be sought and firms can merge without changing locations or staff.

The architectural community can provide thought leadership and be rewarded, even in these economic times. McKerns Development is ready to listen and respond with effective strategic growth programs.