The latest architect workload survey also revealed current workloads are down a third on a year ago.

During April, the RIBA Future Trends Workload Index dropped to a historic low.

All work sectors and all regions also showed a significant drop in confidence.

The private housing sector fell furthest from a balance of -7 to -72; the commercial sector fell from -5 to -60 and the community sector fell from -8 to -50.

But this sentiment looks set to improve with the industry-wide return to work this month.

RIBA executive director professional services, Adrian Dobson, said: “This is a crisis is like no other. While a reduction in architects’ confidence has previously been an early indicator of a contraction in the construction sector – because design work comes first – this time, work on site was immediately disrupted.

“Workload recovery will depend on the speed and nature of our move out of lockdown, and on how much architectural and construction capacity has been preserved.

“As the sector adapts to new ways of working, the RIBA will lobby for continued protection of jobs and businesses and push the Government to invest in the housing and public sector projects the country desperately needs.

“This also means harnessing the expertise of architects who have the skills to re-mobilise communities and enable safe returns to workplaces and school.”