Architecture firms in crisis | Acting in the face of emergency

The architecture sector is experiencing its worst economic crisis in decades. Century-old firms are closing their doors, victims of a storm combining the housing crisis, late payments, and a sharp decline in public procurement. “In 20 years, I’ve never seen anything like this,” says a union leader.

And yet, despite the unprecedented scale of the situation, solutions do exist. Between government emergency measures and preventive management strategies, there are still ways to protect your firm.

How can you overcome this crisis? Which tools should you mobilize to ensure the survival and recovery of your practice? OOTI guides you through this tense context.

A troubling picture

Architecture firms are currently going through an economic crisis of unprecedented scope—a trend already flagged in the Archigraphie 2024 report.

The figures speak for themselves: since early 2025, the sector has seen between two and five rounds of layoffs every month, according to Synatpau (the French national trade union for professionals in architecture, landscape, urban planning, and project management).

Even more alarming: 15 court-ordered liquidations have been recorded since January, hitting firms that had been established for 30 or 40 years. “Barring accidents, in 20 years I haven’t seen a single judicial liquidation,” says Stéphane Calmard, Secretary General of Synatpau.

This unprecedented crisis hits especially hard because architects traditionally show strong resilience and have “held on as much as possible” through the sector’s usual economic challenges.

The root causes

Several factors explain the critical situation impacting architecture firms:

• The housing crisis: it hits hard, especially for agencies specialized in residential projects. Laure-Anne Geoffroy Duprez, President of the Unsfa, warns: “We’ve been sounding the alarm to public authorities for years, but clearly, housing is not a priority for them.”
• The decline in public procurement: a second major factor, worsened by the upcoming 2026 municipal elections, which are likely to further stall projects.
• Chronic late payments: “Clients, including major public authorities, pay very late. Most firms are small structures without enough cash flow to withstand this,” stresses the Unsfa president.
• Loss of market share: Hugo Franck, President of the Syndicat de l’Architecture, adds: “It’s time for architects to reclaim their role across the entire construction process and regain control of project phases.”

Emergency solutions

To address this crisis, a support mechanism has been introduced: Long-Term Partial Activity “Rebound” (APLD-R). Inspired by the Covid-19 measures, it allows struggling firms to receive partial reimbursement of furlough compensation paid to employees.

In July 2025, the sector’s unions signed a collective agreement easing access to this scheme, even for smaller firms. The French Directorate General for Labor is expected to validate it in September 2025, enabling architecture firms to apply before the deadline of 28 February 2026.

To be eligible, you must:

• show that your company’s existence is not at risk, and
• commit to training actions for affected employees.

The scheme authorizes furlough periods of 6 to 18 months, co-financed by the State and Unedic. This emergency aid may prove a crucial lifeline to weather the storm.

Anticipation and safeguards for the future

Beyond emergency aid, the survival of architecture firms will ultimately depend on rigorous financial management. Optimizing cash flow is now central, especially given the chronic payment delays the sector faces.

Systematic tracking of unpaid invoices is essential—don’t hesitate to claim the late-payment interest owed by the State, as the Unsfa reminds. Diversifying activities and client portfolios can also help protect against sector-specific downturns.

In this context, OOTI supports you with a simple, effective management tool. Say goodbye to Excel sheets and approximate tracking:

• manage your projects efficiently,
• keep constant visibility on your cash flow,
• and make informed decisions with a 360° view of your business.

👉 Request your demo today!
https://www.lemoniteur.fr/article/defaillances-d-entreprises-4-5-dans-les-agences-d-architecture-une-crise-inedite.2347934
https://www.lemoniteur.fr/article/confrontees-a-la-crise-les-agences-d-architecture-misent-sur-la-reprise-du-dispositif-de-chomage-partiel.2348170