Only the relevant survive.

One thing is clear; this recession changed the architectural practice forever.  The economic stress exposed weakness in firm's hierarchy and structural cracks that are beyond repair.  

Staff discovered (to their horror) that their leaders, the ones behind the glass walls and personal secretaries, know no more than they do.   And when the rain stopped the rainmakers could not conjure a drop of rain to save their lives.

The lesson of this recession is; only the relevant survive.  And some of the big names in the business are obsolete and lost their relevance.  Sadly, some of these firms will limp along for a while but may not survive.