word on the street, redux

By:: Cheryl Weber, LEED AP

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Tysen/Hunter Residences, Brisbane, Calif., by Arkin Tilt Architects

word on the street, redux

last year's "lowdown on the downturn" firms revisited.

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word on the street, redux

last year's "lowdown on the downturn" firms revisited.

"Word on the Street" Architects' Recent Work
http://www.residentialarchitect.com/Images/tmp1331%2Etmp_tcm48-308608.jpg

Lake Holiday House, Cross Junction, Va., by Reader & Swartz Architects

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Reader & Swartz Architects

Lake Holiday House, Cross Junction, Va., by Reader & Swartz Architects
"Word on the Street" Architects' Recent Work
http://www.residentialarchitect.com/Images/tmp133B%2Etmp_tcm48-308678.jpg

Lake Holiday House, Cross Junction, Va., by Reader & Swartz Architects

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Reader & Swartz Architects

Lake Holiday House, Cross Junction, Va., by Reader & Swartz Architects
"Word on the Street" Architects' Recent Work
http://www.residentialarchitect.com/Images/tmp133C%2Etmp_tcm48-308685.jpg

Diversion Lake Camp, Medina, Texas, by Michael G. Imber Architects

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Michael G. Imber Architects

Diversion Lake Camp, Medina, Texas, by Michael G. Imber Architects
"Word on the Street" Architects' Recent Work
http://www.residentialarchitect.com/Images/tmp133D%2Etmp_tcm48-308692.jpg

Turnberry Way Library, San Antonio, by Michael G. Imber Architects

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Michael G. Imber Architects

Turnberry Way Library, San Antonio, by Michael G. Imber Architects
"Word on the Street" Architects' Recent Work
http://www.residentialarchitect.com/Images/tmp133E%2Etmp_tcm48-308699.jpg

Vermont Cabin, Jamaica, Vt., by Resolution: 4 Architecture

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Resolution: 4 Architecture

Vermont Cabin, Jamaica, Vt., by Resolution: 4 Architecture
"Word on the Street" Architects' Recent Work
http://www.residentialarchitect.com/Images/tmp133F%2Etmp_tcm48-308706.jpg

Long Beach Cottage, Long Beach, N.Y., by Resolution: 4 Architecture

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Resolution: 4 Architecture

Long Beach Cottage, Long Beach, N.Y., by Resolution: 4 Architecture
"Word on the Street" Architects' Recent Work
http://www.residentialarchitect.com/Images/tmp1340%2Etmp_tcm48-308713.jpg

Barboro Flats, Memphis, Tenn., by Looney Ricks Kiss

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Looney Ricks Kiss Architects

Barboro Flats, Memphis, Tenn., by Looney Ricks Kiss Architects
"Word on the Street" Architects' Recent Work
http://www.residentialarchitect.com/Images/tmp1341%2Etmp_tcm48-308720.jpg

Lugar Tower Apartments, Indianapolis, by Looney Ricks Kiss

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Looney Ricks Kiss Architects

Lugar Tower Apartments, Indianapolis, by Looney Ricks Kiss Architects
"Word on the Street" Architects' Recent Work
http://www.residentialarchitect.com/Images/tmp1342%2Etmp_tcm48-308727.jpg

Private Residence, Grand Rapids, Mich., by Albertsson Hansen Architecture

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Albertsson Hansen Architecture

Private Residence, Grand Rapids, Mich., by Albertsson Hansen Architecture
"Word on the Street" Architects' Recent Work
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Guest Cabin, Michigan, by Albertsson Hansen Architecture

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Albertsson Hansen Architecture

Guest Cabin, Michigan, by Albertsson Hansen Architecture
"Word on the Street" Architects' Recent Work
http://www.residentialarchitect.com/Images/tmp1333%2Etmp_tcm48-308622.jpg

UC Davis West Village Square Mixed-Use, Davis, Calif., by Studio E Architects

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Studio E Architects

UC Davis West Village Square Mixed-Use, Davis, Calif., by Studio E Architects
"Word on the Street" Architects' Recent Work
http://www.residentialarchitect.com/Images/tmp1334%2Etmp_tcm48-308629.jpg

90 Archer Affordable Housing, San Jose, Calif, by Studio E Architects

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Studio E Architects

90 Archer Affordable Housing, San Jose, Calif., by Studio E Architects
"Word on the Street" Architects' Recent Work
http://www.residentialarchitect.com/Images/tmp1335%2Etmp_tcm48-308636.jpg

South Lincoln/10th and Osage Redevelopment, Denver, by Mithun

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Mithun

South Lincoln/10th and Osage Redevelopment, Denver, by Mithun
"Word on the Street" Architects' Recent Work
http://www.residentialarchitect.com/Images/tmp1336%2Etmp_tcm48-308643.jpg

Cabaña at Roanti Orchards and Vineyards, Glen Ellen, Calif., by Arkin Tilt Architects

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Edward Caldwell Photography

Cabaña at Roanti Orchards and Vineyards, Glen Ellen, Calif., by Arkin Tilt Architects
"Word on the Street" Architects' Recent Work
http://www.residentialarchitect.com/Images/tmp1337%2Etmp_tcm48-308650.jpg

Tysen/Hunter Residences, Brisbane, Calif., by Arkin Tilt Architects

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Arkin Tilt Architects

Tysen/Hunter Residences, Brisbane, Calif., by Arkin Tilt Architects
"Word on the Street" Architects' Recent Work
http://www.residentialarchitect.com/Images/tmp1339%2Etmp_tcm48-308664.jpg

South Gilpin Townhomes, Denver, by Sprocket Design-Build

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Portal Imageworks

South Gilpin Townhomes, Denver, by Sprocket Design-Build
"Word on the Street" Architects' Recent Work
http://www.residentialarchitect.com/Images/tmp133A%2Etmp_tcm48-308671.jpg

Single-Family Residence, Chicago

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Studio Dwell Architects

Single-Family Residence, Chicago, by Studio Dwell Architects

If there ever was a year of living dangerously, 2009 was it. In the aftermath of the economic crash, residential architect’s January/February 2009 issue featured “Word on the Street,” a snapshot of how 10 firms were coping with dwindling projects and budgets. As they girded for the worst, most firms painfully pared staff and slashed expenses.

As a new year begins, we checked in to see how those architects fared in 2009 and how they see 2010 shaping up. All made tough decisions and survived what was likely the worst year of their careers, but they lamented the breakup of talented teams, networks, and business relationships. Some firms have moved from holding on to holding steady, and there are incremental increases in activity.

Consumer confidence is up, judging by a perkier custom home market. Until lending thaws, though, few foresee a quick uptick in developer-led projects for 2010. Architects are starting to exhale, but their fingers are still crossed.