98% of Architecture

Made in seconds

The proportion of buildings designed by architects varies significantly depending on the type of construction and geographic location. In the United States, it's estimated that architects are responsible for designing only a small percentage of all buildings. For instance, approximately 75% of new construction in recent decades has occurred in suburban areas, often without the involvement of architects. [1]

When focusing on residential housing, the involvement of architects is notably limited. Estimates suggest that architects design between 1% and 2% of all houses in the U.S., with the vast majority being produced without direct architectural input. [2]

This comes from the fact that most homes are built by developers or contractors using stock plans, not custom designs by licensed architects. For commercial or public buildings—like offices, schools, or museums—that number jumps way higher, closer to 90% or more in developed countries, since these projects usually require an architect’s stamp for legal and safety reasons.

Globally, though, the picture shifts. In many developing nations, a huge chunk of construction—think informal housing or rural structures—happens without any architect at all. Builders, locals, or engineers often take the lead, and the term “architect” might not even apply in the formal sense. Some estimates suggest that in these contexts, architect-designed buildings could be less than 1% of the total. On the flip side, in urbanized, regulated areas like Europe or Japan, architects play a bigger role, especially for anything beyond basic shelters.