Architects need space planning of their own. (surplus of construction projects)

When Fletcher Farr Ayotte moved to a 10,000-square-foot floor in the Mohawk Building two years ago it left 25 percent of it unused.

But that's changing.

Fletcher Farr now has 18 more people on staff, an increase of 60 percent, according to Kip Richardson, firm spokesman. And that extra space isn't enough to handle the 48-employee firm, at least not without using a shoehorn.

The architectural firm anticipated growth - and like most Portland-area architectural firms, Fletcher Farr's work and space needs have shot up as Oregon's retail, office and industrial construction has boomed. That growth also has boosted competition for professionals and driven costly capital expansions at the same time firm leaders try to position their companies to ride out what may be a cyclical burp in business.

"It's lasted longer than …