Singapore architecture body launches framework to tackle low pay, brain drain and falling fees

SINGAPORE: The Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA) on Thursday (May 16) launched a blueprint in a bid to stem long-standing issues plaguing the profession.

Low wages, long hours, a lack of work-life balance, and high stress have led to many young graduates quitting the industry altogether in recent years.

In a 2021 survey conducted by SIA, only 7 per cent of young graduates said they were likely to stay in the profession in the long run.

The value articulation framework, which was announced at the 18th Singapore Archifest, aims not only to address these issues but also eradicate “fee-diving” where firms quote well below market rates for tenders.

The framework includes a tool to calculate timelines and the cost of services.

According to SIA, architectural firms are currently doing almost double the work compared with 20 years ago, but they are now pricing their fees three to four times less.

The framework, which will be constantly updated with changes in the industry, is a “clarity of scope” document that spells out the work that a typical architect will have to take, said SIA president Melvin Tan.

This means that any changes to the scope of work will incur further fees.

“By doing so, we hope that architects across will have a level playing field. They will understand the type of work they need to undertake and hopefully eradicate fee-diving,” Mr Tan added.

Second Minister for National Development Indranee Rajah, who attended SIA’s 61st anniversary dinner on Thursday as part of the Singapore Archifest, said in a speech that more must be done to “collectively enhance the value proposition of the architectural profession to attract and retain talent”.

“Firms and business leaders need to continuously invest effort and resources to provide professional development opportunities and progressive workplaces for employees to thrive,” she added.

PUSHING FOR HIGHER PAY

Mr Tan told CNA’s Singapore Tonight that the institute has been rolling out several initiatives to improve the perception of the industry and celebrate young architects, such as giving out design awards.

SIA is also pushing to ensure that young architects are being paid well, and that their wages are on par with other industries.

“One of the main issues that we also face is the fact that without commensurate fees, a lot of work is being done by the architects, perhaps ‘scope creep’ - things that add on to the project without us even being able to charge fees for,” Mr Tan said.

In one scenario cited in the value articulation framework, an architect performing a simple compliance check for an existing building is asked to “help” with additional feasibility studies. Now, the architect can refer to the framework to point out additional liabilities and scope to the client.

Mr Tan pointed out that architecture is not just about design, but also understanding statutory requirements and performing a “complex amount of work and liabilities”.

Mr Tan noted that as the built environment has grown more complex over the years, architects are getting more work without understanding the full amount of work they must do.

He added: “The building environment also requires us to comply with codes from easily 10 to 20 different departments, so now if each department has a new code, all of them then add up to the type of work and amount of work we do.

“Therefore, SIA has felt that the initiative to articulate the work, the codes, the requirements and the time - that will help our members understand the work better.”