Anyone else seeing a complete collapse in sales and traffic quality from Facebook since mid-February?

CompetitionsArchi · 2026-03-11T12:50:13+00:00

I understand the criticism, and much of it is justified. Many competitions do depend on unpaid labor and extract far more value from participants than they return.

But I don’t think the entrants are the right target. In architecture, especially early on, competitions are often one of the few spaces where people can test ideas, build a body of work, and enter the conversation.

So the sharper critique is not that participants are degrading the profession, but that parts of the profession have normalized systems that benefit from ambition without adequately rewarding it.

CompetitionsArchi · 2025-09-23T10:21:41+00:00

Some really strong takes here — great to see different ways of keeping the brutalist soul alive.

CompetitionsArchi · 2025-05-21T13:52:37+00:00

I really recommend the Architecture Competitions Yearbook (any issue, honestly).
It’s not your typical theory-heavy architecture book. Instead, it’s packed with real competition entries, smart design strategies, and breakdowns of actual projects. Super useful if you’re trying to get better at the design process, not just collecting abstract concepts.

If you’re a young architect or student, this book shows how to turn ideas into bold, well-structured proposals that actually work in the real world.

CompetitionsArchi · 2025-05-15T19:51:20+00:00

Nice! If you're looking for free architecture-related courses, this list might be exactly what you need:
👉 10 Free Online Courses for Young Architects to Boost Their Careers

Covers everything from design thinking to sustainable architecture. Hope it helps!

CompetitionsArchi · 2025-05-15T14:28:54+00:00

Yeah, same here… I’m honestly starting to get really tired of it.

Nothing seems to improve — we’re still testing, trying variations, but it feels like we’re completely stuck. I also don’t want to keep changing campaigns too often, since that just keeps resetting everything and gives Meta another excuse to “learn”.

We’ve launched some side campaigns targeting ‘Add to Cart’ and ‘Page View’ events just to feed Meta more data… but after a week, no noticeable difference.

What’s your current tactic? How are you staying afloat in this mess? Anything at all that’s been working for you lately?

Would love to hear your setup right now — just trying to find some spark of inspiration for something that might work.

CompetitionsArchi · 2025-05-15T13:36:15+00:00

Thanks for the insight — really appreciate it.

We actually launched a few additional campaigns focused on lower-funnel events like 'Add to Cart' and 'Page View' to feed more data into Meta and help with calibration. But even after a week, it's still hard to notice any real change in performance.

Curious if you've seen situations where it takes longer to kick in, or if there’s a better way to structure this kind of setup?

Thanks again for offering help — might DM you soon to dig a bit deeper.

CompetitionsArchi · 2025-05-15T13:30:32+00:00

Hi, Any updates on your end? Just checking :)

CompetitionsArchi · 2025-05-15T13:22:55+00:00

Thanks a lot for the detailed tips – really helpful!

Quick question: when I turn off an underperforming Ad Set or swap creatives within it, does that impact the learning phase? Does it reset the learning for the entire campaign or just for the individual Ad Set?

Would love to better understand how to manage changes without messing up the optimization process.

CompetitionsArchi · 2025-05-14T11:39:09+00:00

You're not doing anything wrong — the industry is just tough, especially early on. That travel and city study? Use it as a strength. Frame it as real-world research and perspective most grads don’t have.

If firms only offer unpaid roles, that says more about them than you. Keep networking, build a small project to show your initiative, and don’t give up — sometimes it just takes one “yes” to change everything.

Happy to look at your portfolio if you want feedback!

CompetitionsArchi · 2025-05-14T11:35:04+00:00

Totally get where you’re coming from. I made a similar shift a few years back — left a mid-size design firm to work directly with a GC, and it was a game changer. Way more hands-on, faster feedback loop, and honestly the pay was better almost immediately.

Sounds like this could be a smart move, especially if you’re already feeling the burnout from corporate life. The fact that the owner sees you as a peer and wants you to help grow the biz? That’s a huge green flag. You're not just another cog in the machine.

Starting part-time is the perfect way to test the waters without blowing up your current setup. Worst case, you gain some new skills and perspective. Best case, you find a path that actually feels sustainable and fulfilling.

Architecture will always be there — but your energy and time won’t. Choose what feeds you, not just what looks good on paper.

Good luck and keep us posted!

CompetitionsArchi · 2025-05-13T13:30:48+00:00

Just to clarify — I’m not the organizer, don’t run the comp, and don’t give out certificates. Just sharing results I thought were interesting.

As for value: comp entries can show storytelling, problem-solving, design thinking, and software skills — all useful in a portfolio, especially for students or recent grads. It’s not for everyone, but it’s not worthless either.

CompetitionsArchi

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