A California seismic-retrofit mandate for hospitals has produced a wave of major projects over the past several years, giving a welcome lift to the state's architectural and engineering firms. But as the program's first major deadline draws near, the wave of hospital work has receded. To cope with the decline in the health care sector, many A/E firms are branching out to new regions or offering a wider range of services to potential clients.
Combined revenue for this year's top 10 design firms rose a modest 2.6% over the total for last year's top 10. Firms also indicate that their expansion strategies have begun to make a difference.