Yesterday's TV, Today's Economy: "The Brady Bunch"

By Mike Schuster Dec 17, 2009 8:10 am

Architect Mike Brady understood that less is more.

If there was ever a bastion of optimism and perseverance in the tumultuous early-1970s, it would be Michael Brady. Patriarch, guardian, and grand pooh-bah of the jubilant Brady Bunch, Mike offered the pithy but comprehensive wisdom that only a professional, self-made man could provide.

As an architect, Mike displayed an admirably strong work ethic by laboring over sketches and blueprints in and out of the office, but his steadfast dedication to his craft worked in conjunction with his home life. Not only did he design his family's split-level to feature a den spacious enough to accommodate a drafting table and a bevvy of answer-seeking children, his unique choice to install a single bathroom encouraged sharing and cooperation among the Brady flock. Pure foresight.

But no matter how many days and nights he spent striving to impress the client -- as well as his boss, Mr. Phillips -- Mike Brady was still at the mercy of the fluctuating construction market.

Sure, Mike and his firm would have likely weathered the real-estate drop in the late-'80s and early-'90s -- where median single-family home values fell roughly 14% -- but to say Mike Brady would be facing some economic hardships in 2009 would be putting it mildly.

For the past two years, construction was one of the hardest-hit industries during the recession. Running figures through the Architecture Billings Index, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) noted that profits among construction firms dropped 6% in July compared to one year ago -- and that's on top of an additional 21% drop in 2008.

This widespread profit loss contributes to much fiercer competition. Fay William Logan, a managing principal of SNS Architects & Engineering, told NJ.com that nearly twice as many firms will bid on a project as compared to three years ago. And that's for a far lower fee than usual.

Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images

"Everybody in the world bids for anything," Logan said.

As expected, the losses trickle down to the employees. For average hourly earnings, wage gains in construction dipped to 1.4% from last September -- a huge drop from the 4.4% overall gain in 2008.

As the sole breadwinner supporting a wife, six kids, and a maid with only $44,064 at his disposal per year in this modern era, Mike would have to push his legendary integrity aside and toss the want ads toward the family's general direction.

But despite the plunge in work for the commercial and residential sectors, there is a ray of hope.

The AIA recently announced that there has been an uptick in the demand for smaller-sized homes. Over the last few years, future homeowners have stated a preference for lower ceilings, maximized usable space, and a more livable atmosphere. As AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker recently stated, "The era of the McMansion could well be over."

Who better than Mike Brady to step up and deliver abodes with a focus on familial accompaniment? Family rooms, cheery kitchens, doghouses, teeter-totters, attics that can be converted into bedrooms -- all with an eye toward a wholesome aesthetic.

With Mike Brady, you'll have a home in which you'd be proud to play ball.