ENR 2025 Report: Steady Growth and Digital Innovation for International Design Industry

The 2025 ENR – Engineering News-Record Report has been released, presenting the annual Top 225 International Design Firms ranking and offering a snapshot of global trends in the architecture and engineering market. In this edition, Manens ranks 194th among the 12 Italian firms included, confirming its steady expansion of international presence.

In 2024, the international design sector continued to grow steadily, with most major firms reporting increased revenue. Profitability remains strong, confirming a dynamic and responsive market, despite a slight slowdown in backlog growth compared to previous years.
From a geographical perspective, the Middle East leads the growth, followed by the United States, Africa and Europe, while Latin America and the Caribbean show a decline. Firms most active on the international stage are increasingly investing in innovation, adopting advanced digital tools to improve design efficiency and deliver greater value to clients.

As firms navigate global economic and geopolitical uncertainties – such as rising construction costs and ongoing supply chain disruptions – these challenges are having a direct impact on project financing and delivery timelines. At the same time, the sector is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by global trends that emphasize sustainability, ESG integration, artificial intelligence, and the design of resilient and adaptive infrastructure.

To respond effectively to this evolving context, companies are embracing increasingly sophisticated technologies – including BIM, digital twins, and reality capture techniques, such as 3D laser scanning and photogrammetry – in support of BIM design, as well as tools for measuring and managing carbon footprints, thereby enhancing their operational capabilities and strengthening their global competitiveness.

In this framework, Manens continues to invest in innovation, with a particular focus on the development and implementation of BIM methodologies, which are seen as strategic for improving process efficiency, design quality, and the sustainability of projects.