RIBA Future Trends Survey Signals Cautious Return to Optimism in Architecture

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) published results from its January 2026 Future Trends Survey, indicating a cautious return to optimism among UK architectural practices at the start of the year, following a difficult 2025 in which the profession was affected by rising construction costs, planning delays, and subdued housing market activity.

The survey, which tracks workload expectations, staffing intentions, and business confidence among RIBA members on a monthly basis, showed that the balance of practices expecting workload to increase over the following three months turned positive for the first time in several months. The improvement was driven primarily by practices anticipating growth in the private commercial and public sectors, with residential work remaining more subdued.

Staffing intentions also edged upward, with more practices expecting to take on staff than to reduce headcount. However, commentary from respondents highlighted ongoing concerns about planning system delays, skills availability, and the challenging environment for residential development — suggesting that the positive sentiment is fragile and contingent on external conditions improving.

The Future Trends Survey has been running for over 15 years and serves as a closely watched leading indicator for construction industry activity. Its results are used by the RIBA to inform advocacy, the profession's own economic analysis, and its engagement with government on planning, procurement, and construction policy.