During the 1970s and 1980s, the number of persons who reported their occupation as architects grew at an impressive rate in the United States; the number of design competitions paralleled this rapid growth. At first glance, the volume of construction appears to be a common underlying link between the two developments. In particular areas, the number of architectural firms, and therefore of architects in their employ, is closely related to the volume of construction; more construction projects also imply a greater possibility that some of them will be commissioned by competition.1 However, design competitions will continue attracting architects even in recessionary times, if their professional ambition and their numbers push them into this chancy and onerous method of looking for work. The relationship therefore depends at least partially on something other than the economy.