U.S. Architecture Market Trends: The Fastest-Growing Sectors and Regions

The U.S. architecture market is shifting rapidly, with population growth, sustainability goals, and federal investment all shaping how and where firms are operating. Design has increasingly become more focused on building smarter and more adaptable spaces that optimise energy consumption and operational efficiency.

Key architecture and design trends are driving significant changes. The U.S. architectural services market is projected to reach around $158 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 4.5%. This momentum reflects a shift towards long-term planning and infrastructure renewal, with firms taking on more complex projects that demand both creative and technical skillsets.

In this article, we explore the fastest-growing markets shaping the U.S. architecture landscape and highlight the regions where opportunity is accelerating most rapidly.

Contact CSG Talent for support attracting and retaining architectural design leaders.

Fastest-Growing Architecture Sectors in the U.S.

Growth of U.S. Healthcare Architecture

Healthcare design is one of the strongest growth areas right now, with the U.S. healthcare architecture market expected to grow to $11.9 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 5.2%. The expansion of U.S. outpatient care and community clinics is reshaping healthcare architecture by driving new models that focus on scale and sustainability. 

HOK are one of the firms leading this shift, with their work on the New Parkland Hospital in Dallas setting a new benchmark for evidence-based design and energy efficiency. Across the country, healthcare projects are increasingly focused on creating spaces that improve wellbeing for both patients and staff. This shift is a response to rising costs, increased demand for services, and a greater emphasis on sustainability within the healthcare system.

Airport Design Trends Driving Growth in U.S. Aviation Architecture

Airports across the U.S. are being redesigned for a new era of travel. The Airports Council International estimates the country will need around $173.9 billion in airport infrastructure investment between 2025 and 2029, which amounts to approximately $35 billion each year. 

Gensler’s work on the New Terminal One at JFK Airport in New York is a prime example of this innovation, as the project’s focus on sustainability, passenger flow, and digital integration reflects the efficiency and experience required in airports today. As travel increases and airports upgrade to handle future demand, aviation design is becoming a key pillar in the U.S. architecture landscape.

Architectural Design for Data Centres

Data centre design used to be a niche area, but it has now become one of the most in-demand sectors of the architecture market. The U.S. data centre construction market is forecast to grow at an impressive 10.2% CAGR through to 2030, reaching over $150 billion in value. This surge is driven by AI expansion, cloud computing, and the rapid digitalisation of all industries.

Firms such as Corgan and HDR are leading the way in this space by designing data centres that balance technical complexity with environmental responsibility. Energy efficiency, heat reuse, and renewable integration are now fundamental design challenges, and the firms overcoming them are shaping the infrastructure behind the world’s technological future.

Design Trends Shaping U.S. Education Architecture

Educational architecture is evolving faster than ever as schools and universities rethink how environments support learning, collaboration, and wellbeing. This sector is particularly strong in states investing heavily in public infrastructure, giving architects a chance to shape environments that inspire the next generation.

Perkins & Will’s design for the Smithsonian Institution’s Bezos Learning Centre in Washington D.C. combines digital learning, green spaces, and interactive environments to inspire the next generation. These kinds of projects show how design can influence how people learn and connect, which sets the tone for a new era in educational architecture.

Public Infrastructure and Civic Design Trends

Public infrastructure is experiencing a major resurgence due to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which is a $1.2 trillion investment aimed at modernising the United States' core infrastructure priorities. This increased focus on public works is projected to drive growth in the architecture sector, with civic design contributing approximately $29.7 billion to the total U.S. architecture market this year.

This investment is increasing architectural work for a diverse range of public facilities, including transport hubs, libraries, community centres, and cultural venues. In an era where social impact and environmental sustainability are top priorities, these new civic projects are being specifically designed with accessibility, energy efficiency, and long-term adaptability as core principles.

Regional Architecture Growth Hotspots Across the U.S.

North & South Carolina

North and South Carolina are both thriving, with population growth, business investment, and new infrastructure all driving a steady flow of architectural work. Charlotte and Raleigh are becoming regional hubs for healthcare, education, and mission-critical facilities, while Charleston continues to attract major design and redevelopment projects.

This activity is driven by the Carolinas' strong appeal as it balances strong economic growth with lower operating costs and less congestion compared to larger metropolitan markets. Architecture firms are expanding here to tap into that growth, meaning the demand for skilled designers and project leaders has risen sharply in the last few years.

California

California remains a leader in progressive architecture, and the state’s $48.3 billion climate action plan is directly influencing how firms design hospitals, campuses, and civic buildings. Projects in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego are pushing the limits of sustainable design, from net-zero hospitals to adaptive reuse of existing structures.

As well as setting global standards for sustainable design, California’s architectural culture also encourages experimentation. New materials, digital modelling, and modular construction methods are helping architects build smarter and faster, with the state’s methods often shaping how the rest of the country approaches sustainability.

New York

New York’s architecture is always evolving, with large civic projects like the Penn Station renovation and mixed-use redevelopments in Brooklyn and Queens redefining the city’s skyline. Even Manhattan is shifting, with older office buildings being converted into residential or hybrid spaces to meet new demands.

Design firms here face limited space, complex regulations, and high expectations, but that’s also what drives innovation. This challenging environment forces designers to find creative solutions for density and sustainability, and successful projects must balance respect for the city’s history with a forward-looking vision for its future.

Texas

Texas is experiencing expansive growth across all sectors, with Dallas, Austin, and Houston becoming major hotspots driven by strong investment. Corporate relocations and tech expansions have created a constant need for new facilities and infrastructure.

Projects in Texas tend to be particularly large and ambitious, and the availability of space allows room for experimentation. For architecture firms, this is a market where innovation is rewarded and where collaborations between architects, developers, and local governments often progress more rapidly than in other regions.

Florida

In Florida, the population keeps rising, tourism remains strong, and climate change continues to influence how and where people build. Miami, Orlando, and Tampa are at the centre of innovation, with heavy investment in residential and healthcare design.

Architects here must tackle the challenge of creating buildings that can withstand hurricanes, flooding, and extreme heat. Firms like Arquitectonica and Perkins & Will are leading with climate-resilient strategies that prove sustainability doesn’t have to come at the cost of creativity. It’s a market that demands both creativity and problem-solving, and architects who can balance the two are in high demand.

Architecture Recruitment Experts at CSG Talent

As these markets expand, finding the right talent has become more challenging and crucial than ever. At CSG Talent, our architecture executive search team works with practices across North America, helping them identify and attract the specialists who can deliver innovative designs and drive long-term project success.

Not only are we experts in executive search, but also the trends and challenges shaping the future of U.S. architecture. Whether you’re building out a new design studio, expanding into a new region, or hiring for a major project, we connect you with people who can deliver lasting impact.

Contact our architecture recruitment experts to build an innovative team capable of meeting the demands of these growing markets.